okladka noblisci angielska 2004-06-01 13:54 Page 1
P O L I S H N O B E L
L A U R E A T E S
ff i s
Ministry of Foreign A a r
r
Depatament of Promotion
tel. +48 22 523 99 75, fax +48 22 523 81 59
email: dsi@msz.gov.pl; www. p
msz.gov.l
poland.gov.l
w w w. p
ISBN 83-89175-63- 0
Polish Nobel
Laureates
T A B L E O F
C O N T E N T S
Introduction......................... 1
Maria Skłodowska-Curie...... 6
Henryk Sienkiewicz.............. 17
Władysław Stanisław Reymont 23
Czesław Miłosz..................... 29
Wisława Szymborska............ 39
Lech Wałęsa.......................... 45
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Polish Nobel Polish Nobel
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I N T R O D U C T I O N A L F R E D N O B E L
A N D T H E
N O B E L P R I Z E
- together with H. Becquerel and her husband, Pierre Curie.
ach year on December 10, a ceremony takes place to award the
E Nobel Prize. The King of Sweden, in Stockho lm’s concert hall,
ld
presents the laureates with go medals and diplomas. The founder
of this award, which continues to stir so many emotions today, was
Alfred Nobel (1833-1896) – a businessman and inventor. Nobel was
a very well educated industrialist. Fascinated with the explosive
liquid nitroglycerine, discovered by the Italian inventor Ascanio
Sobrero, he worked his entire life on perfecting the substance and
Portrait of Alfred Nobel; finding a practical application for it. The Nobel family had a firm
his signature
in St. Petersburg, as well as a laboratory near their home in
Heleneborg, Sweden. Nitroglycerine, which the Nobel plants began
DID YOU KNOW THAT...
ALFRED NOBEL ENTRUSTED THE
NORWEGIANS WITH AWARDING THE NOBEL
PEACE PRIZE – MOST LIKELY BECAUSE
SWEDEN AND NORWAY WERE UNITED AS
ONE COUNTRY UNTIL 1905.
One of the few surviving
photographs of Alfred Nobel
stablished by Alfred Nobel in 1895, and granted since 1901, the
E Nobel Prize is the most prestigious distinction awarded to Souvenir medal
scientists, individuals who have advanced the cause of world peace,
with bust of Alfred Nobel
and writers. In 1903, the first female Nobel laureate was a Po le, given to the laureates
Maria Skłodowska-Curie
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A L F R E D A L F R E D N O B E L
N O B E L A N D A N D T H E N O B E L
T H E N O B E L P R I Z E
DID YOU KNOW THAT...
producing on an industrial scale,
was especially important during THE DIPLOMAS FOR THE NOBEL
LAUREATES ARE UNIQUE, PREPARED
industrialization in FOR EACH LAUREATE INDIVIDUALLY.
the construction of mines, EACH HAS THE NAME OF THE
LAUREATE IN CALLIGRAPHY, AND AN
railroads, bridges and tunnels. EXPLANATION FOR WHAT
Of Alfred Nobel’s 355 various ACCOMPLISHMENTS HE OR SHE HAS
RECEIVED THE PRIZE.
patents, this was undoubtedly
his most significant. After a
series of unexpected explosions
that took hundreds of human lives, however, Nobel strove to
improve its
safety. In 1867, he patented dynamite. Ten years later, Nobel’s
dynamite factories were operating in twelve countries, and he
himself became one of the wealthiest
men in Europe. In November 1895, suffering from
heart problems, he decided to write his will, in which
he stipulated that virtually his entire estate be used
to establish a fund for these prizes. Every year, the
income from his legacy was to be divided into five equal parts
among individuals who had made major contributions to
humanity. Eligible for the awards would be writers, scientists in the
fields of physics, chemistry, physio logy
or medicine, and individuals serving the cause of peace
in the world. Nobel’s will is a manifestation of his faith
in the future of science, his interest in literature and his pacifism.
He left his relatives a modest amount of money, which after his
death became the cause of many disputes, causing a delay in the
realization of his last wishes.
It was only in June 1900 that the Nobel Foundation
was established; a year later, the first awards were granted. In the
first ceremony, only men took part; two years later,
one of the recipients was a woman.
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M A R I A S K Ł O D O W S K A M A R I A
– C U R I E S K Ł O D O W S K A
– ( 1 9 0 3 & 1 9 1 1 )
Biographical Note:
Maria Skłodowska was born on
November 7, 1867, in Warsaw. She lost
her mother at an early age, in 1878. In
1877, Maria began her studies in a
gimnazjum (secondary schoo l),
graduating in 1882. She continued her
Maria with her brothers
studies at the Flying University. In and sisters/siblings
1891, she left for Paris, where she
passed the university entrance exams and was admitted to the
Maria Skłodowska-Curie University of Paris. In 1893, she received a merit-based stipend
and magna cum laude in physics, and a year later in
mathematics as well. She was the first woman to graduate with
a degree in physics at the Sorbonne. Maria came to Po land in
1894, but was not there for long. None
of the universities in any of the
partitions offered her a job – as women
did not study, and were
not university lecturers. Maria
Skłodowska decided to return to Paris.
In 1895, she married Pierre Curie. On
here would physics and chemistry be today without the September 12, 1897, their daughter
W work of Maria Skłodowska and Pierre Curie Although IrŻne was born. Maria and Pierre
radiation certainly would have interested other scientists, the conducted research that resulted in the
developments of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries discovery of a new element, which they
were crucial to progress in that branch of science. Maria and named “polonium” in honor
Pierre Curie made extremely important discoveries in what were of Poland. Maria defended her doctoral
very difficult circumstances – without no financial support or dissertation in physics, and both began
even modern – for that period - laboratory equipment. Thanks work on extracting radium from
to the passion of both scientists, however, they were able to pitchblende. In 1899, Maria and Pierre
overcome all obstacles. Curie came to Po land and visited the
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S K Ł O D O W S K A S K Ł O D O W S K A
Biographical Note:
entire family. In 1900, at the Interna- period, she was engaged in organizing radio logy units for the
tional Congress of Physics, Pierre military. In 1919, Maria began working in the Radium Institute
and Maria Curie presented their in Paris, where she met Missy Maloney, who organized a stay
research. In 1902, Maria’s father in the United States for Maria and her daughters. In 1921,
rre C urie
died, the same year in which she Maria and her daughters traveled to America for the first time.
determined the properties of They met with President Warren Harding, who gave her one
Pie
radium. In 1903, the couple, gram of pure radium. In the United States, she was received
together with H. Becquerel, received very warmly. In 1922, Maria took part in the work of the
the Nobel Prize in physics for the discovery of Permanent Committee for the Protection of
radioactivity. From one day to the next, the couple became Intellectual Property in Geneva. The
famous. On December 6, 1904, their League of Nations appointed her to
second daughter, ve, was born. In this commission, of which she
American presith W
e
1906, Pierre Curie died when he later became a vice-chair. In
M. Curie
ir daughter, IrΞn
was hit by a carriage, after which 1925, Maria went to Warsaw to
Maria assumed Pierre’s post at take part in the groundbreaking
w
the Sorbonne and became the ceremony for the Radium
ide . H
nt
The
first woman professor at that Institute. She visited the United ar
university. In 1910, Maria obtained States a second time in 1929, when she
din
g,
metallic radium. In 1991, Maria took was hosted by President Herbert Hoover. The US gave Maria
part in the First So lvay Congress in Brussels. the funds to buy a second gram of radium. Maria Skłodowska-
She participated in each congress until 1933, when for the first Curie died on July 4, 1934, of aplastic
time she was joined by other female participants: her own pernicious anemia — caused by years of
daughter, IrŻne Jo liot-Curie, and a German scientist named being exposed to radiation.
Lisa Meitner. In 1911, Maria Skłodowska-Curie was awarded a
second Nobel Prize, this time in chemistry for her discovery of
new elements and the iso lation of pure radium. The Radium
Robe rie w
M. C
Institute was founded in Paris, in which Maria was an active
rt A i
participant. She also helped organize a Radio logical Workshop
u
.M t
in Poland, of which she became director. When the war broke il
h ikan
out in 1914, contacts with Po land were disrupted. During that
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S K Ł O D O W S K A S K Ł O D O W S K A
Maria Skłodowska-Curie was an unusual person, if only for
the determination she showed in her pursuit of knowledge. When
Maria was growing up, not much attention was paid to the
education of girls. In the last decade of the eighteenth century,
Poland had been divided between Russia, Prussia and Austria.
les
After a few unsuccessful uprisings, the Po began to understand
that education was the only hope for improving their fate. As a
result, people engaged in science and the use of empirical
methods ever more enthusiastically. Maria Skłodowska was one
of those raised in this spirit of “positivism”, as it was called. She
was an assiduous student, whose first post-secondary courses
were in the secret “Flying University”, thus named because its
lecturers and students met in various places, moving several
times a day. The lecturers of this unusual institution were
lish
prominent members of the Po academic world. In 1890-91, she
conducted her first chemistry experiments in the Museum of
Industry and Agriculture in Warsaw, where the director of the
chemistry laboratory was Professor Napo leon Milicer. The phy-
sics laboratory was run Maria in the laboratory
by Maria Skłodowska’s cou-sin, Professor Józef Jerzy Boguski, a with her husband Pierre
student of Di-mitrii
Mendeleev’s.
“IF MY COMPATRIOT MARIA
Maria Skłodowska was
SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE HAD NOT SAID interested most of all in the
TO HERSELF “I DON’T KNOW”, SHE
PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BECOME
pure sciences, particularly in
A CHEMISTRY TEACHER AT A BOARDING physics and chemistry. She
SCHOOL FOR GIRLS FROM GOOD HOMES
AND THAT - HOWEVER VALUABLE IT
decided to continue her studies
MIGHT HAVE BEEN - WOULD HAVE BEEN at the Sorbonne. In 1891, she
THE EXTENT OF HER LIFE’S WORK. BUT
SHE KEPT REPEATING TO HERSELF “I
left for Paris, where during her
DON’T KNOW”, AND IT WAS THOSE studies she met the young
WORDS THAT LED HER – TWICE, NO LESS
– TO STOCKHOLM, WHERE PEOPLE OF
French physicist, Pierre Curie
RESTLESS SPIRITS, FOREVER SEEKING, (1859-1906), whom she later
ARE AWARDED THE NOBEL PRIZE”.
married. She was the first The Curies
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woman to defend a doctorate at the Sorbonne, and the first
female professor at that institution to chair a department. In
1897, Skłodowska, searching for subjects for her dissertation,
came across the work of Antoine H. Becquerel, in which he
describes the discovery of new, mysterious rays. Skłodowska
began to investigate this phenomenon, as yet unnamed. Years
later, it was given the name “radioactivity”.
Her years of research and observation led to the discovery of new
elements, the first of which was named radon
(from Latin, radius “ray”); the second was called “polonium” –
in honor of its discoverer’s native country. Maria conducted
research together with her husband, Pierre Curie. So that other
scientists would believe their
discoveries, the couple had to
IN HONOR OF PIERRE AND MARIE
separate pure atoms from the CURIE, THE AMERICAN PHYSICIST
salts that had been obtained. GLEN SEABORG (ALSO A NOBEL
LAUREATE) NAMED THE NEW
After working four years in a ELEMENT HE DISCOVERED IN 1944
shed outside Paris that had CURIUM, BASED ON THEIR SURNAME.
THE UNIT FOR MEASURING THE
been converted into their ACTIVITY OF A RADIOACTIVE SOURCE
chemistry laboratory, Maria and
Pierre obtained one-tenth of a
gram of radium chloride. This substance is now used as a source for
gamma radiation in the treatment of cancer and some
The Curies’ dermato logical diseases. Maria and Pierre Curie laid the groundwork
for a new scientific discipline – the study of radioactivity.
In 1903, together with Pierre Curie and Antoine H. Becquerel,
Maria Skłodowska-Curie received the Nobel Prize in the field of
physics for her work on radioactivity. After her husband died,
she chaired the Physics Department in Paris on her own, where
she made her most important discoveries regarding the
properties of radium and po lonium. It was on her initiative, too,
that the Radium Institute in Paris was founded. In 1911, the
Maria Curie’s le
Swedish Academy of Sciences honored the Po with a Nobel
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Prize again, this time in the field of chemistry – for the discovery traveled in thirty various sections of the front and, so as not to
and iso lation of two new elements. be dependent on anyone, passed her driver’s test and got a
For Maria Skłodowska-Curie, science would not have been license herself. Her knowledge was invaluable for the doctors who
important if it had not had any practical application in everyday had never seen X-ray equipment before and did not know how to
life. This is why she strove to link her discoveries to everyday life use it. Maria ran courses and training sessions on using the X-
and to find practical uses for them quickly. ray machines and reading the X-rays for the staff. Her daughter,
During the First World War, Maria organized mobile IrΞne, often helped her.
radio logical units and sent them to the front. Overcoming various The results of Maria and
bureaucratic obstacles required a great deal of effort. She Pierre Curie’s research were
MARIA SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE’S
managed to acquire and equip eighteen vehicles, and also created used in practical applications DAUGHTER, IR NE JOLIOT-CURIE,
approximately two hundred permanent X-ray stations. She from the very start – first in ALSO WON A NOBEL PRIZE. SHE
HAD HER HUSBAND, FR D RIC
medicine, and later in industry. JOLIOT, WERE AWARDED IT
The Po lish scientist also noted JOINTLY IN 1935,
IN THE FIELD OF CHEMISTRY
that radioactive reactions FOR THE DISCOVERY OF
produced, which was the start ARTIFICIAL RADIOACTIVITY.
of atomic energy.
Their research on radon, polonium and radioactivity found
broad application in techno logy, from the sterilization of
foodstuffs and packaging to the direction
Maria driving an
of chemical reactions. Isotopes of those radioactive elements are
also used for the testing of water,
and in the discovery of processes underway in riverbeds, or on
the ocean floor, and
in the testing of dams or underground pipelines. In other words
– isotopes can be used anywhere where our five senses fail or in
places inaccessible to humans, such as inside materials, layers of
earth, massive constructions or buildings, and, above all, inside
our own bodies. These discoveries had enormous significance in
the field of medicine. In addition to radiotherapy, which brought
about a revo lution in the fight
against cancer, nuclear medicine
has also developed, using IN 1995, THE REMAINS OF SKŁODOWSKA-
radioactive isotopes, which when CURIE AND HER HUSBAND WERE LAID
TO REST IN THE PANTHEON IN PARIS.
The Curies in the laboratory
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introduced into the body make it possible to observe life processes,
discover diseases and develop effective treatments.
The other Nobel Prizes
JOSEPH ROTBLAT, WINNER OF les
awarded to Po were in the
THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE, WAS field of literature. Alfred Nobel
BORN IN POLAND AND HAD
MET MARIA SKŁODOWSKA- believed that literature had a
CURIE IN A SCIENTIFIC mission – that it could change
CONTEXT. DURING THE YEARS
1933-1939, HE WAS MEMBER OF A the world, in the service of
RADIOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP progress. In 1905, the Po lish
AT THE WARSAW SCIENTIFIC
SOCIETY. writer Henryk Sienkiewicz Henryk Sienkiewicz
received the award. For Po les
whose country was not even on
the map at that time, this event was particularly important, as
was this writer’s work, which harked back to some of the most
lish
important periods in Po history.
looked upon his literary work as a mission. He specialized in
historical novels written “to uplift the heart”. His works gained
great popularity both in Europe and North America, and many of
his novels were adapted for film.
enryk Sienkiewicz enjoys a very special status with Since his early youth, Sienkiewicz had strong ties with Warsaw,
H les,
the Po who continue to avidly read his books. Sienkiewicz where he spent time as a student. He started his writing career as
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an essayist for magazines and newspapers. He traveled extensively, i w puszczy]. In 1891, he
and was a Polish Gazette [Gazeta Polska] correspondent to North published his novel Without WILLIAM FAULKNER, THE
America (1876–78), and he also traveled to Turkey, Greece, Italy Dogma [Bez dogmatu], which OUTSTANDING AMERICAN
WRITER, SAW “UPLIFTING THE
(1886), Spain (1888) and Africa was translated into German HEART” AS THE MOST
(1890). These travels of his almost immediately. After this POIGNANT DEFINITION OF
IN 1900, THE POLISH PEOPLE
inspired some of his works: novel’s success in Germany,
PRESENTED THE OBLĘGOREK Letters from America [Listy z Sienkiewicz became famous
ESTATE NEAR KIELCE TO
SIENKIEWICZ IN COMMEMORATION
podró y do Ameryki], and In throughout Europe and, after Quo Vadis was published, all over
OF THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY Desert and Wilderness [W the world. His books were translated into several dozen languages,
p u s t y n i including Aramaic and Hebrew. Upon the request of Pope Leon
Biographical Note:
Henryk Sienkiewicz was born on May 5, later. In 1900, the Po lish people, in acknowledgement of his
icz
la
1845, in Wo Okrzejska in the Podlasie accomplishments, gave Sienkiewicz with the Oblęgorek estate to
yk Sienkiew
region of Poland. After graduating from commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of his literary career. In
l
high schoo in Warsaw in 1866, he 1904, Sienkiewicz married Maria Babska. In 1905, he was awarded the
Henr
began studying at the Department of Nobel Prize. After the First World War broke
Medicine, and later at the Department out, he left for Switzerland, where he headed
logy l
of Philo at the Main Schoo of Warsaw. the Aid Committee for war victims in Po land.
His literary debut took place in 1869, in He died in Vevey, Switzerland, on October 15,
Przegl d Tygodniowy [Weekly Review]. After graduating, he wrote for land
1916. His body was brought to Po in 1924,
the Gazeta Polska [Polish Gazette], and, beginning in 1874, worked as where it was and buried in the catacombs of
a literary editor at Niwa. During the years 1876-78, he traveled with St. John’s Cathedral in Warsaw. He wrote the
Helena Modrzejewska and some other friends to the USA. He also sent llowing novels: Janko Muzykant [Yanko the Oblęgorek
fo
Listy z podró y [Letters from My Travels] and short stories to Po
land, Musician], Latarnik [The Lighthouse Keeper],
which were then published in Gazeta. In 1881, he married Maria novels: Ogniem i mieczem [With Fire and
Szetkiewiczówna, with whom he had two children; Maria died in 1885. Sword], Potop [Deluge], Pan Wołodyjowski [Pan Michael], Krzy acy
In 1886, he traveled to Athens, Naples and Rome, and, in 1888, to [The Teutonic Knights], Bez dogmatu [Without a Dogma],
Spain. In 1890-91, he traveled to Zanzibar. He married Maria and W pustyni i w puszczy [In Desert and Wilderness].
Wołodkowiczówna, but their marriage ended in divorce three years
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XIII, a Latin translation was
PRESIDENT THEODORE ROOSEVELT commissioned of Quo Vadis, the
WAS FASCINATED BY THE TRILOGY
– A SET OF THREE HISTORICAL most popular book at the turn
NOVELS: (WITH FIRE AND SWORD, of the century. Quo Vadis is a
THE DELUGE AND PAN
WOŁODYJOWSKI). MOREOVER, historical novel set in the period
SIENKIEWICZ’S WORKS HEAVILY of the Roman Empire. It
INFLUENCED MARGARET
MITCHELL, AUTHOR OF GONE WITH convincingly depicts Emperor
THE WIND. WILLIAM FAULKNER, Nero’s reign, a backdrop for a
LATE IN HIS CAREER, USED TO
REMINISCE ABOUT HOW THE love theme between a Roman
BOOKS HE READ BY SIENKIEWICZ patrician named Marcus
AS A CHILD HAD MADE A LASTING
Vinitious and Ligia; their love
affair proves to be passionate,
but dangerous. The book
appeared in English in the United States in 1896, to the delight of
American critics. For a long time, Quo Vadis remained at the top
of Bookman’s bestseller list. Subsequent editions, with print runs
in the millions, disappeared from bookstore shelves instantly.
Sienkiewicz was famous throughout Europe. By the end of 1901,
almost all of his works had been translated into French. In 1901,
the first screen adaptation of Sienkiewicz‘s prose - a scene depicting
the Roman games lasting just a few minutes - was made for the
Pathe film studio. A year later, one of the most popular actresses
of the period, Sarah Bernhardt, arranged for a play adaptation of
his no-
vel With Fire and Sword [Ogniem i mieczem] to be staged in Paris.
In 1904, Sienkiewicz was presented with the Legion of Honor. In
Germany and Austria, it was particularly Sienkiewicz’s book
Without a Dogma that won over
readers; in German-speaking
QUO VADIS WAS TRANSLATED countries, as elsewhere, he was
INTO OVER FORTY LANGUAGES. among the most widely read
THERE HAVE BEEN MANY FILM
AND STAGE ADAPTATIONS OF THIS authors. The Emperor Franz
Henryk Sienkiewicz’s
NOVEL, AND EVEN OPERAS, AN Josef honored him with the novels were translated
into many languages
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order of Litteris et artibus. According to English bibliographers, his
novel Quo Vadis set a twentieth-century record as the most-often
translated book, as well as the best-selling one.
International recognition came in 1905, when Sienkiewicz was
awarded a Nobel Prize for his works. Quo Vadis secured the
writer’s position in Europe, as well as in the eyes of the members
of the Swedish Academy. A few years earlier, Sienkiewicz’s works
had been published in Sweden in large print runs. Critics wrote of
The Deluge that “sometimes it is even reminiscent of our
incomparable Selma Lagerlof, and one could not wish for greater
praise.” During the awards ceremony, Carl David af Wirsen,
secretary of the Swedish Academy, justified the granting of the
award to Sienkiewicz in this way:
“Each society has those rare individuals in whom the genius of Władysław Stanisław Reymont – portrait by
the nation vests its powers. They stand before the world as
representatives of the nation’s spirit. They cultivate the memory of
the past to strengthen the hope of the future.”
ładysław Stanisław Reymont was not as pro lific
W a writer as Henryk Sienkiewicz, though, like Sienkiewicz, he
also began his career writing for newspapers. Reymont’s oeuvre
includes approximately thirty volumes of prose. He realized that his
strong point was not “book learning”, but rather his knowledge
about real life, upon which his writing was based.
Before The Peasants, his best novel was Promised Land, which
has been translated into fifteen languages, and adapted twice for
film.
Before Reymont became a well-known writer, he held various jobs.
He worked as a journeyman tailor, and as an actor in an itinerant
theater troupe. He also worked as a railwayman. He kept changing
his jobs until 1892, when one of his works was published, after
which he moved to Warsaw and began publishing short stories and
Henryk Sienkiewicz’s portrait, novels in magazines. His income from writing allowed him to
painted by Olga Bozna ska
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indulge his love of traveling; he visited Berlin, London, Paris and and no matter too mundane. It was this interest in everything that
Italy. He was sociable and hospitable, often inviting friends to his provided the basis for his writing. From his everyday contacts with
residence in Kołaczków. He had a constant need to be with people, various people, he came to know life and human behavior. He
and felt at home in any company. He knew how to converse with began working on his best known novel, The Peasants, in 1901. He
anyone, was able to make anyone interested in him, and he himself depicted village life with an impressive knowledge of rural reality,
was interested in everyone and everything. No one was dull for him, including the peasantry’s material conditions, customs, behavior
Biographical Note:
Władysław Reymont, whose surname commissioned by
t
on
ym
was originally “Rejment”, was born the Warsaw daily, Kurier
dysław S. Re
on May 7, 1867, in the village of Codzienny [Daily Courier].
Kobiele; his father was an organist. Later, he spent time in
His parents then moved to the small Poland, Italy and in France,
Wła
town of Tuszyn, where he spent his writing his greatest work, the
childhood. He did not really apply novel Chłopi [The Peasants],
Reymont with his family
himself to his studies, though he loved to whose four vo lumes came out
read. He did not want to become an organist, and during the years 1902-1909. In
his parents sent him to Warsaw to become an apprentice tailor, 1902, he married Aurelia
lder
where he lived with his o sister and her husband. In 1885, he was Szabłowska. During the First
granted a journeyman tailor’s license – the only formal educational World War, he was a member
qualification he ever received in his life. He did not work in this of the “patriotic” vo lunteer
profession even one day, however. He joined an itinerant theater civic committees. He was the
troupe, in which he was an actor for one year. Then he worked as guest of the Po lish ΞmigrΞ
a deputy guard for the railway. When his “Correspondence” was community in the United
accepted for publication by the Warsaw newspaper Głos [Voice] in States twice. After the war, he Reymontówka
1892, he quit his job on the railroad and moved to Warsaw, where bought the estate – the writer’s home
he began working for various papers, writing articles, essays and Kołaczkowo. In November
novellas. He traveled a great deal, visiting Berlin, London, Paris and 1924, he received the Nobel Prize. He died on December 5, 1925, in
Italy. Later, for several months in 1897, he co llected materials in Warsaw.
Łódę for his novel The Promised Land, which had been
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and religious beliefs. With a
REYMONT IS AMONG THE FIRST backdrop of nature’s rhythms
MODERN EUROPEAN NOVELISTS.
–ALFRED B K, and the liturgical calendar,
MEMBER OF Reymont showed the co lorful
village co llectivity with its
distinct personalities. He showed
the heart of the peasant’s existence — what-ever happens is sub-
ordinated to the rules of nature. Reymont intentionally blurred the
historical period in which the action was taking place.
The range of experience and spiritual richness expressed in the four
volumes of Reymont’s The Peasants can be compared to Greek
myths. The novel escapes categorization in any of specific literary
The manuscript of Chłopów (The Peasants) by
trend. It captivated Ukrainian readers (translation published in Władysław S. Reymont
1909), Russians (1910-1912) and
Germans (1912). The German
REYMONT WAS FIRST press lavished praise on
NOMINATED FOR Reymont. Despite the war, the
THE NOBEL PRIZE IN 1919.
German published a second Note by the author regarding the
Nobel prize
edition; a third edition came out
as early as 1919. In 1920, the first vo lume of The Peasants –
Autumn came out in Swedish. He received the Nobel Prize for the
novel in 1924. The members of the Academy justified their choice
with these words: “This is a unique novel in contemporary
literature, a true epic in prose. And although it is an epic that is
national in nature, thanks to its richness and simplicity in its
description of the earth and of the children closest to it achieves
lute
abso universality.” Too ill to travel, Reymont could not accept
the prize in person. The
diploma was sent to him in
REYMONT WAS INTERESTED France, where he was
IN TECHNOLOGICAL NOVELTIES,
AND WAS, FOR EXAMPLE, undergoing treatment. The
A CO-FOUNDER OF ONE OF novel The Peasants was
THE FIRST CINEMATOGRAPHIC
COOPERATIVES IN POLAND. translated into 27 languages;
Translation of Chłopi (The Peasants)
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S T A N I S Ł A W Ł O S Z
Chłopi (The Peasants) – illustration
dro ny], he was awarded the most important Po literary prize,
lish
Nike, coming out ahead of other younger authors, often half his age.
Books are not the only examples of his impressive literary output.
The Nobel laureate still publishes important articles in the press that
inevitably stir debate, and gladly meets with his readers at lectures,
readings and poetry festivals. In the opinion of international literary
two film adaptations have also been made. critics as well as contemporary poets, Miłosz’s poetry constitutes one
he Nobel Prize used to be called the ‘kiss of death’, since it of the most significant elements of the contemporary literary scene.
“T was usually the gray-haired writers who would get it in In his literary output, we can find
recognition of their life’s accomplishments. It is difficult to find a lic
visionary and symbo poems,
better example of a more radical contradiction to this rule than the simple song-poems, philosophical “IN HIS POEMS, CZESŁAW MIŁOSZ,
person and works of Czesław Miłosz” treatises, moving poetic prayers, ESPECIALLY IN “ROADSIDE DOG”
CREATES AND RECREATES THE
– wrote Jerzy Illg, one of Miłosz’s publishers. “Over twenty years since personal statements, and WORLD, COMPLETE AND REAL, PAINFUL
the Stockho award, the 90-year-o poet remains in remarkable
lm ld meditations over his own fate AND BEAUTIFUL – IN ITS VARIOUS
MANIFESTATIONS – AND THE ONLY ONE
form, publishing vo lumes of poems, co llections of essays, important and that of other people whom THERE IS. WE FOUND IT NEITHER IN
non-fiction books and vo lumes of correspondence with friends.” Over he has met in his long life. Miłosz SCIENCE, NOR MODERN PHILOSOPHY,
NOR IN THE WORKS OF THEOLOGIANS
the last decade, Miłosz has published ten volumes of collected poems, is not limited by genres; he AND IDEOLOGISTS. YET, THAT IS THE
discourses, and essays. For one of them, Roadside Dog [Piesek przy- interacts as a poet with all of WORLD FOR WHICH WE YEARN”.
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poetic tradition – from his American poetic contemporaries to the
Bible. “Miłosz touches the most important and, simultaneously, the
most difficult issues with a courage and honesty unmatched in
contemporary literature. Those issues include faith and despondency,
questions about God’s omnipotence and His indifference in the face
of evil, the search for certainty
and the lack of it, as opposed to
“THE THING THAT STRUCK ME
MOST IS HIS ATTENTION TO DETAIL a shallow and non-reflective self-
FOUND IN THE FAST-MOVING satisfaction.” Yet, his poetry
CURRENT OF TIME, BEING IT
EITHER AN EGYPTIAN COSMETIC always remains a spontaneous
CONTAINER IN A MUSEUM, OR A affirmation of existence. In his
SILK DRESS, OR A PIECE OF BREAD
LEFT ON A TABLE”. poetry, there is no lack of ecstatic
—HELEN VENDLER, admiration of the world’s charms
LITERARY CRITIC AND PROFESSOR
OF LITERATURE, and desire for sensual
gratification.
As a novelist, he gained fame
with Zdobycie władzy [The Seizure of Power] (1953), about the
establishment of communist rule in Po land; Dolina Issy [The Issa
Valley] is also one of his most popular works – a story abounding in
philosophical subterranean themes about coming of age and lost
innocence. Personal themes resurface in his essays, as well as in
Zniewolony umysł [The Captive Mind], a literary classic on
totalitarianism, and in Rodzinna Europa [Native Realm], still
regarded as one of the first and best works on “Central European
mentality”, or Ziemia Ulro [The Land of Ulro], an intellectual and
literary autobiography. These, as well as his books that fo llowed,
such as wiadectwo poezji [Poetic Testimony], or ycie na wyspach
[Life on the Islands], reveal the
crux of life and literature today.
“WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST
HESITATION, I PROCLAIM CZESŁAW ome people like poetry,”
MIŁOSZ TO BE THE ONE OF THE
GREATEST POETS OF OUR TIMES,
IF NOT THE GREATEST”.
“Sshe wrote in her poem of
the same title. She writes her
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poetry both for readers, but also for those who only occasionally Biographical Note:
reach for books of poetry. The title of one of her vo lumes of poetry,
Questions Put to Myself [Pytania zadawane sobie], reflects the nature
of her poetry perfectly. All her poetry consists of a series of questions, Poet, prose writer, essayist,
usually of a philosophical nature, which the poet asks herself. She translator, lecturer – Czesław
looks at humankind’s history and progress from a cosmic perspective, Miłosz has become linked to
Czesław Miłos
with irony being a salient feature of her poetic craftsmanship. twentieth century culture in a
However, her use of irony does not preclude emotional invo lvement. variety of ways. After many pere-
Szymborska is a virtuoso of poetic form who handles words grinations in exile, he now lives in
z
masterfully. She pursues her personal and reflective lyricism with an Kraków.
intellectual and moral slant, focusing on man’s existence and attitude
towards history and culture. Czesław Miłosz was born on June 30, 1911,
In her poems, she poses questions about the meaning and goals of in Szetejnie - the heart of Lithuania. As a child, he witnessed the
man’s strivings and experience. Szymborska sees human beings Russian Revo lution. He spent his childhood and youth in the
Vilnius area, where he also studied - first at Sigmuntus Augustus
Gymnasium, and later in the Department of Law and Social
Studies at Stefan Batory University in Vilnius. He made his
literary debut in 1930, in Alma Mater Vilnensis, a student
newspaper. In 1931, he co-founded the poetry group agary,
which was to prove very influential. The year 1933 marked his
poetic debut with the publication of a vo lume of poems titled
Poemat o czasie zastygłym [Poem About a Time Which has
Frozen]. After completing his law degree, Miłosz was granted a
scholarship to study in Paris, where he
stayed in close touch with his relative,
Oskar W. Miłosz, a French poet, who
greatly influenced his later work. In 1936,
after publication of his vo lume of poems,
Trzy zimy [Three Winters], he was
recognized as one of the leading poets of his
generation.
In September 1939, as an employee of Czesław Miłosz
lish Radio, he was evacuated from
Po
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Warsaw and eventually found his way to Romania. After a few his famous Moral Treatise
months, he managed to return to Vilnius. He then [Traktat moralny]. In Fe-
crossed the “green” border to escape from bruary 1951, the poet
Soviet-occupied Vilnius to Nazi- requested po litical asylum,
occupied Warsaw. Miłosz taking refuge
ław Miłosz
participated extensively in the in Maisons-Laffitte, the
occupied capital’s underground headquarters of Kultura
cultural life. He published an [Culture], the renowned Salon in the Krasnogruda
Czes
manor house
anthology of underground poetry lish
Po ΞmigrΞ periodical. At
(PieĘ niepodległa [Independent home, his “treason” meant
Song], 1942); he also worked equally that for almost thirty years he was officially excluded from literary
hard as a translator (translating life. In this extremely difficult situation, Kultura’s Parisian milieu
J. Maritain’s A travers le dΞsastre [Drogami klęski], and became a source of support for Miłosz, thanks to which he was
W. Shakespeare’s As You Like It [Jak wam się podoba]). Above able to survive his initial months in exile and write the first book
all, however, he developed as a poet and essayist during this to appear after his “defection”, The Captive Mind (1953), which
period (Wiersze [Poems], 1940; wiat: Poema naiwne [World: A dealt with Central and Eastern
NaΨve Poem], 1943; Voices of Poor People [Głosy biednych ludzi] European intellectuals’ co llaboration
1943, a co llection of poems). with the communist regimes. The
In 1945, he published Salvation [Ocalenie], one of the most famous same year, 1953, Miłosz’s first
poetry co llections of immediate postwar period, and decided to ΞmigrΞ poetry vo lume ( wiatło
join the diplomatic corps. He dzienne [Light of Day]) also
served as cultural attachΞ in appeared, and the French
the United States, and be- translation of his debut novel,
ginning in 1950, was first Seizure of Power [La prise du
secretary in the Po lish pouvoir], was awarded the
Embassy in Paris. Despite prestigious Prix LittΞraire Eu-
the fact he was living ropΞen. Miłosz remained in Paris
abroad, Miłosz actively until 1960; his next novel, Dolina
participated in Po land’s Issy [The Issa Valley] (1955) and
With friends Czesław Miłosz’s
cultural life, publishing Traktat poetycki [Poetic Treatise] manuscripts
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Biographical Note:
(1956) were both published there, as was Rodzinna Europa Over the next decade, Miłosz
[Native Realm] (1958) - the first attempt in postwar literature at made his presence felt on the
describing the “other” (Eastern) Europe. He also translated the American literary market, and
works of Simone Weil. won several prestigious awards,
In 1960, Miłosz moved to the United States, where he became such as the Neustadt
a professor at the Department of Slavic Literature and Languages International Literary Award, in
at the University of California, Berkeley. The fo llowing years 1978. New metaphysical and
brought not only new vo lumes of poetry (Król Popiel i inne religious themes appeared in
wiersze [King Popiel and Other Poems], 1962; Gucio zaczarowany Miłosz’s writings as well. Miłosz
[Enchanted Gucio], 1965), a co llection of essays on America began work on translation of
(Visions from San Francisco Bay [Widzenia nad Zatok San fragments of the Bible from
Francisco]), but also more translations – Miłosz compiled and Hebrew and Greek; in 1977, he
published an antho logy, Postwar Polish Poetry (1965), and wrote published The Land of Ulro, in
The History of Polish Literature (1969). which his fascination with religion Writings in the Wilno
and philosophy is apparent (in press about Miłosz
which one hears the echoes of F.
Dostoyevsky, W. Blake, E. Swedenborg, O. Miłosz). During this
very creative decade, he published a remarkable vo lume of poems,
Gdzie wschodzi sło ce i kędy zapada [Where the Sun Rises and
Where It Sets] (1974), and received the Nobel Prize for Literature
lish
in 1980. It was only after winning the prize that Po readers
gained official access to his works – prior to this, his works had
been published in Po land exclusively in samizdat editions. On his
visit to Poland in June 1981, he received an honorary doctorate
lic
from the Catho University in Lublin, which was an opportunity
for him to meet with other writers and friends, as well as with L.
Wałęsa and other So lidarity leaders.
During the academic year 1981-1982, he was a visiting
The Polish Radio group in Wilno
l
professor at the Eliot Norton Schoo at Harvard University, staffed
lars
by distinguished scho and writers. There, he gave a series of
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S Z Y M B O R S K A
( 1 9 9 6 )
Biographical Note:
lectures on poetry, which later
were compiled in the book w -i
a
dectwo poezji [Poetic Testimony]
(1983). Martial law once again
limited Miłosz’s pre-sence in
official literary scene
in Po land. Miłosz nevertheless
became a major figure in Po land’s
postwar cultural life. Official
editions of the poet’s works soon
replaced the underground ones –
there were large-scale editions of
his poetry co llections, such Wisława Szymborska
as Hymn o Perle [Hymn to
the Pearl], Nieobjęta ziemia
[Unencompassed Land], or the
collection of essays Metafizyczna
Czesław Miłosz
pauza [Metaphysical Pause],
edited and published by
Wydawnictwo Literackie and
Znak. s u b j e c t
In early 1989, Miłosz visited Po land again. He was granted an to the laws of bio logy and historical inevitability, which constantly
honarary doctorate at Jagiellonian University. He began visiting challenge human hopes and aspirations. Szymborska’s poetry gained
regularly, until finally Miłosz moved to Po land permanently. popularity both in Po land and abroad thanks in part to its
Miłosz published pro lifically during this past decade. Not only is succinctness, craftsmanship and the allure of her metaphors, as well
Miłosz one of the most distinguished poetic and essayistic masters as a combination of humor and so lemnity. Though Szymborska is a
the last century, he is still an active contributor to both genres. humble, discreet and very subdued person, her work electrifies her
readers. Her poems’ simplicity suit the tastes of contemporary readers
perfectly. Sales of her poetry attained levels comparable to those of
fiction best-sellers. It was Szymborska’s writing style that has
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undoubtedly determined her very precise. Moreover, hers is a
IN 1996, THE COLLECTION OF POEMS, success. She has created her own language of subtle emotions and “IT IS UNUSUAL WHEN THE GRANTING
WIDOK Z ZIARENKIEM PIASKU [VIEW OF AN AWARD IS UNBIASED AND FAIR.
WITH A GRAIN OF SAND], poetic language – keeping her poignant, balanced judgments, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A YEAR
TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY distance from events, revealing subject to intellectual discipline. WHEN THE JURORS WOULD TAKE
STANISŁAW BARAˇCZAK AND CLARE POLITICS INTO CONSIDERATION; TO
CAVANAGH, RECEIVED THE BOOK OF compassion for those who suffer On October 3, 1996, she received MY SURPRISE, IT WAS POETRY THEY
THE YEAR AWARD, GRANTED BY and enchantment with life’s the Nobel Prize for “poetry that TOOK INTO ACCOUNT”.
PUBLISHERS AND DISTRIBUTORS OF —ROBERT HAAS,
LITERARY WORKS IN THE UNITED beauty. Her language is extremely unveils the laws of bio logy and POET
economical, and at the same time history with ironic precision
Biographical Note:
Wisława Szymborska was born on July Szymborska was awarded an
2, 1923, in Kórnik, near Pozna ; she honarary doctorate from the
ka
ors
has lived in Kraków since 1931. She University of Pozna . In 1996, she
wa Szymb
studied Po lish Philology and received the Po lish PEN Club
Sociology at Jagiellonian Award, and also became a Nobel
Wisła
University. It was also in Kraków laureate. She has published
that she made her poetic debut in eighteen volumes of poetry;
1945 with the poem “Szukam słowa” among the most important are:
[Searching for a Word]. She coedited yi e
c Wołanie do Yeti [Calling Out to
Literackie [Literary Life], in which Yeti] (1957); Sól [Salt] (1962); Sto
she had a regular co lumn, “Lektury nadobow z i kowe” pociech [Good Fun] (1967);
[“Extracurricular Reading”] from 1968 to 1981. Some of these Wszelki wypadek [Any case]
articles were published in book (1972); Wielka liczba [Great
form, which saw five editions. Number] (1976); Ludzie na
From 1981 to 1983, she was a moĘcie [People on the Bridge] Wisława Szymborska’s
manuscript
member of the editorial board (1986); Koniec i pocz tek [End
at the monthly Pismo and Beginning] (1993); and Chwila [Moment] (2002). Many
[Publication]. In 1991, she translations of her poems have been published as separate titles.
received the Goethe Award; in In 1998, the poet was also made an honorary citizen of Kraków.
1995, she was granted a Herder She has also translated French poetry.
Wisława Szymborska
Award. In the same year,
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though fragments of human
“IN THE MORNING, AS WE KNOW, SZYMBORSKA reality.” She was the ninth
USUALLY THROWS EVERYTHING SHE WROTE
THE NIGHT BEFORE INTO THE TRASH. SHE woman to receive this distinction
IS ALWAYS ADDING FINAL TOUCHES TO IT, in the field of literature, and the
POLISHING AND DISTILLING IT. THE RESULTS
ARE CRYSTALS, MAGNIFICENT PIECES OF lish
sixth Po Nobel laureate. Her
POETRY IN WHICH THERE ARE NO poetry lends itself exceptionally
SUPERFLUOUS SYLLABLES”.
—JERZY ILLG, “PERŁA W KORONIE well to translation. Thanks to
NOBLISTÓW” [PEARL IN THE CROWN OF NOBEL good translations, Szymborska’s
poems have become known in
Europe and the United States. Justifying their choice, the members
of the Swedish Academy included a citation from “Nothing Twice”
[“Nic dwa razy”]: “With smiles and kisses/we prefer to seek accord/
beneath our star/although we’re different (we concur)/just as two
drops of water are.” [UĘmiechnięci, współobjęci/spróbujemy szukaΘ
zgody/choΘró nimy się od siebie/jak dwie krople czystej wody”]. For
Wisława Szymborska
the jury, this poem expresses the special quality of Szymborska’s
writings.
n the 1980’s, important
Ievents took place in Po land
“WISŁAWA SZYMBORSKA IS IN THE that would have an important
LUCKY POSITION THAT POLISH PO-
ETRY HAS A PRESENCE IN GERMANY
impact on Europe as a who le.
AND THAT HER POETRY HAS BEEN The Nobel Peace Prize
TRANSLATED THERE. THIS IS AN UN-
DERSTATEMENT, HOWEVER. IN GER-
Laureate, Lech Wałęsa, played
Wisława
MANY, SZYMBORSKA ENJOYS THE le
an important ro in the shaping Szymborska’s
BEST POSSIBLE RELATIONSHIP WITH
THE PUBLISHING MARKET; MORE-
of today’s Europe.
OVER, HER POEMS HAVE BEEN TRANS- or both Po land and the
LATED BY KARL DEDECIUS, AN EXCEL-
LENT TRANSLATOR AND A PROMOTER
F world, Lech Wałęsa wielded
OF POLISH LITERATURE. THEY ARE PU- an enormous influence on the
BLISHED NOT BY JUST ANYONE, BUT
BY THE RENOWNED SUHRKAMP PUBLI-
political landscape of his country
SHING HOUSE. IT DOES NOT COME AS and Europe. Beginning with the
A SURPRISE THEN THAT THE LAURE-
ATE WAS ACCEPTED IMMEDIATELY,
December strikes of 1970 in the
WITHOUT ANY RESERVATIONS”. north of Po land, Wałęsa was a
—JUDITH ARLT, “ABOUT THE NOBEL
PRIZE FOR SZYMBORSKA”
permanent feature of that
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( 1 9 8 3 )
country’s anti-communist opposition. After the demonstrations
T H E N O B E L
and the clashes between workers and the militia and army, in which
P E A C E P R I Z E
people were killed and injured, there was a change in the secretary
lish
of the ruling Po United Workers’ Party. Edward Gierek replaced
Władysław Gomułka. Thanks to foreign credit, a period of
“prosperity” followed. The inefficiency of the planned economy be-
came apparent several years later, in 1976. The worsening
economic conditions caused another wave of worker unrest in
Radom and Ursus. The treatment of those who participated
sparked the creation of the Committee for Workers’ Defense
(KOR), as well as several other new opposition groups. In 1980,
Translations
of Wisława Szymborska’s works
Lech Wałęsa
land, and, in Gda sk, an
there was a wave of strikes throughout Po
All-Factory Strike Committee was established. The Po lish
Wisława Szymborska receiving the
government decided to negotiate with the striking workers; this
Nobel Prize
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ended with the signing of the August Accords on August 31, 1980, reconcile with the po litical
and the establishment of the Independent Solidarity Trade Unions, system at that time. So lidarity “ALL OVER THE WORLD,
LECH WAŁĘSA HAS
led by Lech Wałęsa. Not long before, there had been other events did not set revo lutionary EMBODIED THE DESIRE FOR
which also strengthened Po desire for change: the election in
les’ political goals for itself, which is THE FREEDOM AND DIGNITY
OF HIS PEOPLE”.
1978 of cardinal Karo Wojtyła, of Kraków as Pope, and his visit to
l why it managed to gain support —MARC EPSTEIN AND
Poland in 1979, as well as the awarding of the Nobel Prize in among those linked with the BERNARD OSSER, L’EXPRESS
Literature to Czesław Miłosz in 1980. ruling camp in Po land and with
The So lidarity movement spread swiftly throughout the foreign trade unions. Nevertheless, martial law was eventually
les
country. Nine million Po joined, making it the only such imposed because of So le litical and
lidarity’s ever greater ro in po
organization in Soviet bloc, where its ideas were difficult to land.
social life and the economic crisis in Po
Biographical Note:
Lech Wałęsa was born on September 29, President of the Republic of Po land.
1943, in Kórnik. In 1966–76, 1980–81, Among the awards he has received
and 1983–90, he worked in the are: Order First Class Francisco de
Gda sk Shipyards as an electrician, Miranda, 1989; Knight of the Grand
Wałęsa
where he was fired and rehired on Cross of the Order of the Bath,
numerous occasions. In 1969, he 1991; Grand Cross of Legion of
Lech
married; he and his wife have eight Honour, 1991; Grand Order for
children. He was a member of the Service, Italy, 1991; Ordine Piano I Star of the Medal
of Service of the Republic of
strike committee in December 1970, as Classe Cavalliere di Co llare, 1991; Italy
well as of the Founding Committee of Independent Honorary Citizen of London, 1991;
Trade Unions; in May 1978, he was chairman of the Gda sk Strike Grand Sash of Order of Leopo ld,
Committee. In 1980, he was head of the National Coordinating 1991; Order of Pius XII, Vatican;
Committee of Independent Self-Governing Trade Unions Order for Service of the Federal
“Solidarity”; in 1981-1990, Wałęsa chaired the National Executive Republic of Germany.
Committee of NSZZ So lidarity. On December 13, 1981, he was
interned, and was released only in November 1982. He co-founded
and headed the Civic Committee in December 1988. In February-
April 1989, he was the chairman of the opposition delegation
United States Order
during the Round Table negotiations. From 1990 to 1995, he was
46 47
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DID YOU KNOW THAT...
At that time, many people
AS EUROPEAN REPRESENTATIVE, active in the opposition were
LECH WAŁĘSA WAS INVITED BY
THE ORGANIZERS OF THE arrested, including Lech Wałęsa.
OLYMPICS TO RAISE THE FLAG AT Martial law, however, which
THE OPENING CEREMONIES OF
THE 2002 WINTER OLYMPIC ended in 1983, did not so lve Solidarity logo
GAMES IN SALT LAKE CITY. Poland’s problems. The economy
was in a deep crisis, and the
opposition to the government was constantly growing,
strengthened by the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Lech
Wałęsa in 1983. His activities helped lead to the Round Table talks
in 1988 and to the first semi elections in Poland.
le
The ro that Lech Wałęsa played in the po litical changes in
Poland was enormous. The opposition’s activities helped bring
about the fall of the Soviet bloc,
QUOTATION:
the unification of Germany and
AS LEADER OF SOLIDARITY, LECH the fall of the USSR. This all
WAŁĘSA PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN
THE STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM IN took place without bloodshed or Round Table Talks, 1989
POLAND. lt.
military revo The compromise
MARGARET THATCHER SZTUKA
RZŃDZENIA struck at the Round Table talks
and the peaceful transition from
communism to democracy was
possible also thanks to a fundamental change in the policies of the
USSR, where the principles of perestroika began to be
implemented in 1986.
lish les
Every day, research is underway in Po laboratories; Po work
in many countries around the
DID YOU KNOW THAT... world as vo lunteers and
missionaries, helping others.
LECH WAŁĘSA HAS RECEIVED 31
HONORARY DOCTORATES FROM Perhaps this will be the year
UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE
crucial discoveries will be made;
WORLD, INCLUDING COLUMBIA
UNIVERSITY IN NEW YORK (1981), scientists’ dedication and work
THE UNIVERSITY OF PARIS (1983),
could change the course of
AND HARVARD UNIVERSITY (1983).
Lech Wałęsa in the Gda sk Shipyards, 1988
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events, and they may well be appreciated by the Stockho lm
lish Nobel prize winners will certainly
Academy. The list of Po
continue to grow.
Lech Wałęsa’s Nobel certificate
Lecha Wałęsa in his office
Lech Wałęsa
50 51
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