We are pleased to announce that this year's edition of National Reading and the September exhibition will be dedicated to Jan Kochanowski – the most outstanding poet of the Polish Renaissance, who elevated the Polish language to literary status.
Kochanowski (1530–1584) wrote in both Latin and Polish, masterfully combining ancient and biblical traditions with his native culture. His most important works include the humorous and observant ‘Fraszki’ (Trifles), the reflective “Pieśni” (Songs), the humanistic drama ‘Odprawa posłów greckich’ (The Dismissal of the Greek Envoys) and the cycle ‘Treny’ (Laments), dedicated to his deceased daughter Ursula, considered a masterpiece of mourning literature. Kochanowski's works shaped the development of national literature and remain a source of inspiration to this day.
The poet's work has also been recognised outside Poland. On 25 June 2022, a bronze statue of Kochanowski by sculptor Andrew Lilley was unveiled in Stratford-upon-Avon, the city of Shakespeare. The author changed the concept of the work several times in order to fully convey the emotions accompanying the poet after Ursula's death. The final form of the sculpture refers to the ‘Treny’ (Laments) and shows the despair and reflectiveness of the artist with extraordinary sensitivity. The location of the unveiling is not accidental – Kochanowski and Shakespeare, although they created in different countries and languages, lived in the same era, and their works feature similar themes: love, faith, suffering, the irony of fate and a sense of humour.
Thanks to the cooperation of the Polish Cultural Institute in London, the Polish community in Warwickshire and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, a statue of the Polish poet has been erected in the heart of the city, emphasising the symbolic ties between Poland and the United Kingdom.
"We are delighted with the unveiling of the bronze statue of the Renaissance Polish poet Jan Kochanowski in Stratford-upon-Avon. Both Warwickshire and Stratford have large Polish communities, so presenting Kochanowski, Shakespeare's contemporary, will emphasise the cultural and historical ties between Poland and the United Kingdom, as well as the friendship and cooperation that exists between the cultural communities of our countries," summarised Dr Marta de Zuniga, Director of the Polish Cultural Institute.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to the sculptor, Andrew Lilley, the Polish Cultural Institute in London, in particular Ms. Blanka Konopka, the editorial staff of the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald, especially Gill Sutherland, as well as all the individuals, institutions and partners who supported the preparation of this year's National Reading and the September exhibition. Thanks to your kindness and commitment, it is possible to create a valuable and inspiring event. The National Reading is held under the Honorary Patronage of the Presidential Couple of Poland.
Polish-German Cross-Border Centre for Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Middle Odra Valley Region in Dębno
