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He was born in Wrocław, studied medicine and became a priest, because that was his calling in life – but we know him best for his literary works. His epigrams [short poems with a surprising ending – editor’s note] were translated even by Adam Mickiewicz. This can be none other than Angelus Silesius – one of the most prominent poets of the Baroque and the patron the May poetry festival and two awards: the Silesius Poetry Award and the Angelus Central European Literature Award, which will be presented at a single ceremony in October this year. We are mentioning Silesius because the 6th edition of the Silesius International Poetry Festival is slated to take place on 17–23 May, featuring nominees for the book of the year and debut of the year awards, as well as the winner of the lifetime achievement award.
The first poet to ever win this prize in 2008 was Tadeusz Różewicz, and this year’s programme of the festival is largely devoted to his art. There are plenty of reasons – we are celebrating his 100th birthday, and the year 2021 was officially recognised as the Year of Tadeusz Różewicz. This means that we are in for readings of his poems, interpreted by the best contemporary poets, including Piotr Sommer, Barbara Klicka, Jakub Kornhauser and Urszula Kozioł, as well as debates on his poetry, prose and dramas and memories shared by his loved ones and friends – Barbara Lisiewicz, Barbara Misztal, Jan Stolarczyk, Lambros Ziotas and Julia Różewicz.
Traditionally, the Silesius International Poetry Festival has one country as its guest of honour. What do we know about Lithuanian poetry? There will be an opportunity to find out! The legend of Lithuanian poetry, a friend of Czesław Miłosz and translator of his poems – Tomas Venclova – is going to visit Wrocław, along with representatives of the younger generation: Giedrė Kazlauskaitė, Ernestaa Noreiki and Agnė Žagrakalytė.
Magdalena Klich-Kozłowska
