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2 September 2010

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Adam Zagajewski, "In Defense of Passion"
languages: Polski  / English 
 

A new volume containing thirteen essays by Adam Zagajewski, written at the end of the previous and the beginning of the present century. It contains above all the sum of the reflections of this outstanding poet, essayist, novelist, and translator on the essence of poetry and art (in the title essay "Obrona zarliwosci" / "In Defense of Passion," "Uwagi o wysokim stylu" / "Comments on Elevated Style, "Przeciwko poezji" / "Against Poetry, "Poezja i watpliwosc" / "Poetry and Doubt"). Additionally, Zagajewski has written about his soul masters - Friedrich Nietzsche, Józef Czapski, Zbigniew Herbert and Czesław Miłosz - provided sketches on places and cities closest to his own heart (Lviv, Krakow, Paris), and closed the book with his essay-confession, "Pisać po polsku" / "Writing in Polish."

"This is a very special manifesto: private, written without a hint of aggression, it is a profession of faith," says Ryszard Krynicki, head of a5 Publishers about "Obrona żarliwości / In Defense of Passion". "Contrary to the title of one of his essays - 'Przeciwko poezji' / 'Against Poetry' - this book is a passionate defense of verse. If Zagajewski condemns anything, it is poetry that is shallow and small-minded." According to the author, poetry "is capable of uniting the far and the near, the low and the high, the earthly and divine; it is able to record the stirring of the soul, a dispute between lovers, a street scene in a major metropolis, but it also hears the steps of history, the lies of tyrants, and it does not disappoint in trying times."

All of the texts in this volume reflect the author's belief that spirituality, the inner life of humans, is the greatest of all values. In these texts Adam Zagajewski juxtaposes loftiness with the quotidian, poses questions about the relationship between the world and poetry, questions about the meaning of life.
  • Adam Zagajewski
    "Obrona żarliwości / In Defense of Passion"
    Wydawnictwo a5, Krakow 2002
    186 pages, paperback
    ISBN 83-85568-57-3
    www.wydawnictwoa5.pl


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RECENTLY ADDED
Martha Argerich and Maria João Pires at the "Chopin and His Europe" Festival
August 30, 2010
Promotion of the Podlaskie Voivodship
July 30 - July 31, 2010
Andrzej Sosnowski
On Monday, September 20, the first Polish arena for the Euro 2012 Cup will open in Poznań. The official ceremony will be honoured with a concert featuring Sting performing with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, conducted by Steven Mercurio.
Until September 25 (except for Sundays and holidays), the John the Baptist Archcathedral in Warsaw will host daily organ recitals as part of the 7th edition of the "Grand Organ of the Archicathedral" Festival.
"Dotyk człowieka/Beruehrungen" is the title of the exhibition presenting works of six Polish contemporary artists displayed at the German Embassy in Warsaw (Jazdów street): on view until September 27.
On October 17, the National Museum in Poznań will host the first public presentation of Claude Monet's "Beach in Pourville". The painting was stolen ten years ago. The painting returned to the museum in January 2010 after the folice found the thief.
Jazz pianist Chick Corea will give his only Polish solo concert on November 8 in Zabrze.
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