Polish poet, essayist and French literature translator.
Born in 1923 in Bnin near Poznan in Poland. In 1931 her family moved to
Cracow where she during years 1945-48 studied studied Polish language
and sociology at the Jagiellonian University.
Since then Szymorska loves Cracow and is inseparably connected with this historic city.
In early 50's she gained a journalist post in a literature review magazine
called "Zycie Literackie". Then she worked in some other literature
magazines - she has always had her own column for decades; the articles were later published in book form. Since her debut in 1945 she has published over a dozen poetic books.
She was awarded the Johann Wolfgang Goethe Award in 1991 and later The Herder Award. Most importantly she is the laureate of Nobel Prize in literature in 1996.
Her major works :
She has developed her own unmistakable poetic style. Her
poems are built on tradition of 20th century poetry and humanistic
mainstream.
However, being a strong, individualistic personality, she consistently detaches
herself from current philosphical, artistic and cultural trends.
The poetic
style of Szymborska is clear, well thought-out and precise, some may say it is
classical. She is the master of irony, paradox and more often than one might
suspect of an distinguished lady - joke. It is not widely known that she writes
wonderful limericks.
Artistic integrity and independence combined with truthfulness gained her a
wide group of devout readers. Suprisingly, her poems regularly reach
circulation of some popular novels.
As a person she is quiet but witty, fragile but with strong personality,
dislikes to be in the limelight but a charming speaker. If there is an
occasion be sure not to miss a meeting with Szymborska - you will be enchanted
and the remembrance of her poetic genius will with you forever.
See also :