News
Poetry Readings Reflect Serious Literary Scene
Two impressive poetry readings in one week certainly reflect a serious literary scene in Łódź. On a recent Monday night, poet Dorota Filipczak read from her new collection of poetry, K+M+B, at Klub Nauczyciela. Then, the following Wednesday night, poet Jerzy Jarniewicz read from his newly-released collection, Makijaż, at Poleski Ośrodek Sztuki. Tomasz Cieślak, a literary critic who specializes in contemporary Polish poetry, was definitely hopping, making appearances at both readings, offering commentary and analysis on the poets’ works, and Polish poetry in general. Amid some unusually cool winter weather, the readings offered a warm and enlightening escape. Both Ms. Filipczak and Mr. Jarniewicz are contributors to Dekadentzya; their works reveal interesting and new movements in Polish poetry. Currently, Łódź is a candidate for the title of European Capital of Culture 2016. These literary readings confirm the city is a solid contender.
New Web Site Showcases Life of Łódź-Born Yiddish Writer Chava Rosenfarb
A web site devoted to Yiddish novelist and poet Chava Rosenfarb was recently launched (http://www.chavarosenfarb.com/). Ms. Rosenfarb, who was born in Łódź in 1923, survived the ghetto and Auschwitz and became what many critics call the greatest woman Yiddish novelist. Among her literary works is her trilogy, The Tree of Life, set in the Łódź Ghetto, or the Litzmannstadt Ghetto as it was officially called. In Yiddish literature, Chava Rosenfarb is the Łódź Ghetto. She turned seventeen the day after this infamous ghetto/work camp officially came into being. After the war, she moved to Montreal, Canada, which became a major Yiddish literary center. Goldie Morgentaler, Ms. Rosenfarb’s daughter and the translator of much of her writing, was a keynote speaker at the Race, Religion, and Representation international conference hosted by the Department of Pragmatics at the University of Łódź last spring. Ms. Rosenfarb, who has won every major Yiddish literary award, currently lives in Lethbridge, Alberta, in western Canada.
Open Boat Translators Complete Anthology of Polish Fantasy and Science Fiction
The Open Boat Students’ Society has just completed a mega-literary project, an anthology of Polish fantasy and science fiction in English translation. Open Boat, which cooperates with the Department of British Literature and Culture at the University of Łódź, has completed a number of literary projects over the years. The society’s focus is literary translation – poetry as well as prose, depending on the individual interests. The anthology, approximately three hundred pages long, is in the process of being typeset and will soon be published. Most of the group’s projects involve translating Polish texts into English. According to Tomasz Dobrogoszcz, the coordinator of Open Boat, the aim is to publish Polish literature in English and introduce more Polish writing to a larger international readership. Open Boat played a big role in helping prepare translations of texts for Dekadentzya’s literary reading. Open Boat is a great opportunity for people to master the skills of literary translation and to engage in some exciting projects. Meetings are held on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. For more information, check out the Open Boat web site, http://www.openboat.pl/
New Collection of Poetry by Kacper Bartczak
Poet Kacper Bartczak, a contributor to Dekadentzya, has published a new book of poetry, Życie świetnych ludzi. This is his third collection of poetry. A recent reading at Łódzki Dom Kultury confirmed Bartczak is an impressive contemporary literary voice. Copies of his book are on sale at the Institute of English Studies library, Al. Kościuszki 65. Życie świetnych ludzi is the latest in a series of collections of poetry put out by Wydawnictwo Kwadratura.
Dekadentzya Contributor Wins National Poetry Competition – Again
Justyna Fruzińska was all smiles and beaming with excitement at the recent Festiwal Puls Literatury in Łódź. Some of the top young literary voices from all over Poland, along with a number of well-known figures, took part in the annual literary festival. Justyna, a contributor to Dekadentzya, won the national Witold Sułkowski Prose Poetry Competition. She had also won the competition last year. The prize is an impressive one thousand złoty. Her poem was “a collection of different things,” as she put it, with a few fragments devoted to her friend and fellow poet Marciusz Moron who was tragically killed by a drunken driver a little more than a year ago. A collection of his poems, Pali zalewa burzy, was recently published. Justyna is quickly establishing herself as a poet. She is also a singer and currently is a doctoral student in the Department of American Literature and Culture at the University of Łódź. Worried that she might win this poetry competition yet again, officials have asked that she be on the jury next year.
Polish Photo Book on Tel Aviv
Twarze Tel Awiwu, a beautiful photo book by Paweł Herzog and Paweł Spodenkiewicz, has been published. This photo book of Tel Aviv features a variety of people, including novelist Amos Oz and award-winning filmmaker Ari Folman. Łódź and Tel Aviv are sister cities and this book marks the Israeli city’s one hundredth anniversary. The two cities, along with the University of Łódź and Tel Aviv University, are exploring ideas for education and cultural exchange programs. Dekadentzya is helping with the preparation of an English-language version of the book, Faces of Tel Aviv.