Jan Lechoń: Difference between revisions
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==Life== |
==Life== |
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He studied polish literature and language at the [[Warsaw University]], at which point he had already authored two collections of poetry and a play. He was co-editor of the ''[[Pro arte et studio]]'' magazine. It was he who thought up the name ''Skamander'' for the literary grouping, he also held the opening speech at |
He studied polish literature and language at the [[Warsaw University]], at which point he had already authored two collections of poetry and a play. He was co-editor of the ''[[Pro arte et studio]]'' magazine. It was he who thought up the name ''Skamander'' for the literary grouping, he also held the opening speech at the group's first meeting on [[December 6]], [[1919]]. During the [[Polish-Soviet War]] he worked at the press office of [[Chief of state]] [[Józef Piłsudski]]. He was a member of the literary cabaret ''Pikador''. Member of the Worker's Union of Polish Writers, he was also secretary general of the [[PEN Club]]. In [[1926]]-[[1929]] he was editor of the satirical magazine ''Cyrulik Warszawski'' (Polish for ''The Barber of Warsaw'', a pun on ''[[The Barber of Seville]]''). In [[1925]] he received an award of the Polish Book Publishers' Association, and in 1935 a further award from the Polish Literature Academy. Co-founder of the [[Polish Institute of Sciences]]. |
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In [[1930]]-[[1939]] he was cultural attaché at the Polish embassy in [[Paris]]. After the downfall of [[France]] he left for [[Brazil]], and later moved to the [[USA]], where he settled in [[New York]]. He co-edited many Polish newspapers and magazines. |
In [[1930]]-[[1939]] he was cultural attaché at the Polish embassy in [[Paris]]. After the downfall of [[France]] he left for [[Brazil]], and later moved to the [[USA]], where he settled in [[New York]]. He co-edited many Polish newspapers and magazines. |
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He committed suicide jumping from the twelfth floor of the Henry Hudson Hotel. The motive given was "''community degradation''", deepening his [[depression]] (Lechoń was allegedly repressed by the [[Polonia]] for his [[homosexualism]], however the memories of his friend, [[Adam Ciołkosz]] do not mention this, and the reason was supposed to be depression caused by the |
He committed suicide jumping from the twelfth floor of the Henry Hudson Hotel. The motive given was "''community degradation''", deepening his [[depression]] (Lechoń was allegedly repressed by the [[Polonia]] for his [[homosexualism]], however the memories of his friend, [[Adam Ciołkosz]] do not mention this, and the reason was supposed to be depression caused by the strengthening of the [[History of Poland (1945–1989)|communist regime in Poland]]). In [[1991]] the remains of the poet were [[exhumation|exhumed]] from the [[Calvary Cemetery, Queens|Calvary Cemetery]] in [[Queens]] and moved to a cemetery in [[Laski]], to a family tomb shared with his parents, Władysław and Maria Serafinowicz. |
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==Work== |
==Work== |
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He debuted at the age of 14 with poetry collections entitled ''Na złotym polu'' (1913, ''In a golden field'') and ''Po różnych ścieżkach'' (1914, ''On different paths''). In 1916, at the [[Old Orangery]] in Warsaw, he premiered his drama ''W pałacu Stanisława Augusta'' ('' |
He debuted at the age of 14 with poetry collections entitled ''Na złotym polu'' (1913, ''In a golden field'') and ''Po różnych ścieżkach'' (1914, ''On different paths''). In 1916, at the [[Old Orangery]] in [[Warsaw]], he premiered his drama ''W pałacu Stanisława Augusta'' (''At the palace of [[Stanisław August Poniatowski|Stanisław August]]''). His poetry collection ''Srebrne i czarne'' (''Silver and black'') had won him an award from the Polish Book Publishers' Association. However, growing interest and successes in the field of poetry didn't have good influence on the writer. Overwhelmed with the status of a legend building up around his person he didn't publish further until the outbreak of [[World War II]]. [[Poland]]'s demise awoke in him the passion to further write. He published ''Lutnia po Bekwarku'' in [[1942]] and ''Aria z kurantem'' in [[1945]], as well as ''Marmur i róża''. Other works include ''Karmazynowy poemat'' and ''Iliada''. |
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His poetry combined [[romanticism|romantic]] and [[classicism|classicist]] elements, and was very different from what other members of [[Skamander]] wrote. He also translated several dramas, wrote reviews and essays. |
His poetry combined [[romanticism|romantic]] and [[classicism|classicist]] elements, and was very different from what other members of [[Skamander]] wrote. He also translated several dramas, wrote reviews and essays. |
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Revision as of 11:41, 28 January 2007
Leszek Józef Serafinowicz (pen name Jan Lechoń) (b. March 13, 1899 in Warsaw, Poland, d. June 8, 1956, New York City) was a Polish poet, literary and theatre critic, diplomat, and co-founder of the Skamander literary movement.
Life
He studied polish literature and language at the Warsaw University, at which point he had already authored two collections of poetry and a play. He was co-editor of the Pro arte et studio magazine. It was he who thought up the name Skamander for the literary grouping, he also held the opening speech at the group's first meeting on December 6, 1919. During the Polish-Soviet War he worked at the press office of Chief of state Józef Piłsudski. He was a member of the literary cabaret Pikador. Member of the Worker's Union of Polish Writers, he was also secretary general of the PEN Club. In 1926-1929 he was editor of the satirical magazine Cyrulik Warszawski (Polish for The Barber of Warsaw, a pun on The Barber of Seville). In 1925 he received an award of the Polish Book Publishers' Association, and in 1935 a further award from the Polish Literature Academy. Co-founder of the Polish Institute of Sciences.
In 1930-1939 he was cultural attaché at the Polish embassy in Paris. After the downfall of France he left for Brazil, and later moved to the USA, where he settled in New York. He co-edited many Polish newspapers and magazines.
He committed suicide jumping from the twelfth floor of the Henry Hudson Hotel. The motive given was "community degradation", deepening his depression (Lechoń was allegedly repressed by the Polonia for his homosexualism, however the memories of his friend, Adam Ciołkosz do not mention this, and the reason was supposed to be depression caused by the strengthening of the communist regime in Poland). In 1991 the remains of the poet were exhumed from the Calvary Cemetery in Queens and moved to a cemetery in Laski, to a family tomb shared with his parents, Władysław and Maria Serafinowicz.
Work
He debuted at the age of 14 with poetry collections entitled Na złotym polu (1913, In a golden field) and Po różnych ścieżkach (1914, On different paths). In 1916, at the Old Orangery in Warsaw, he premiered his drama W pałacu Stanisława Augusta (At the palace of Stanisław August). His poetry collection Srebrne i czarne (Silver and black) had won him an award from the Polish Book Publishers' Association. However, growing interest and successes in the field of poetry didn't have good influence on the writer. Overwhelmed with the status of a legend building up around his person he didn't publish further until the outbreak of World War II. Poland's demise awoke in him the passion to further write. He published Lutnia po Bekwarku in 1942 and Aria z kurantem in 1945, as well as Marmur i róża. Other works include Karmazynowy poemat and Iliada.
His poetry combined romantic and classicist elements, and was very different from what other members of Skamander wrote. He also translated several dramas, wrote reviews and essays.