Round Table of the Department of Ukrainian and Foreign Literature «Polish Writers – Nobel Prize Laureates»

7.3.2023

The Department of Ukrainian and Foreign Literature held a round table dedicated to Polish writers – Nobel Prize laureates.

The Department of Ukrainian and Foreign Literature resumed the methodological seminar with teachers and students. On March 3, 2023, a round table was dedicated to Polish writers – Nobel Prize laureates.

Yuliya Skrebnova, (a Polish language teacher at Novovolinsk Lyceum No. 9, is a master’s student majoring in «Secondary education. Ukrainian language and literature. Language and literature (English)» spoke about the life paths and peculiarities of the creative pursuits of Henryk Senkevych, Vladyslav Reimont, Cheslav Milosh, Vislava Shymborska, and Olha Tokarchuk.

The Polish woman revealed the peculiarities of the reception by the Nobel Committee of Polish writers. Henryk Sienkiewicz received the prize for the historical novel «The Flood», which represented the outstanding epic talent of the artist to the world. The story «Peasant» about the lives of people in a small village near Łódź brought Władysław Reymont a long-awaited award, but the writer was seriously ill and could not personally receive the award; he died a year later. The third Polish laureate of the Nobel Prize was the immigrant poet Czesław Miłosz, who fled from the oppression of the authorities to the United States. According to the committee, his poetry is characterized by courage and a deep understanding of the inner world of man. Poetess Wisława Szymborska, who became a laureate in 1996, stood out for her modesty, and her first reaction to the news of the prize award was the words «Oh, Lord, why me?».

The current laureate, Olga Tokarczuk, has Ukrainian roots. The writer was awarded the Nobel Prize for literary skill and artistic sophistication of prose. Many of Tokarchuk’s books have been translated into Ukrainian; among the most famous works are: «Runners», « Drive You Plow Over the Bones of the Dead», and «The Books of Jacob».

During the discussion, the participants of the round table noted the current trends in the development of Polish literature and emphasized the importance of cultural ties between Ukraine and Poland. Students of higher education at the Faculty of Ukrainian Philology and Journalism expressed interest in studying the Polish language and literature.

Senior laboratory assistant at the Department of Ukrainian and Foreign Literature
Dmytro Pomazan