Witold Wirpsza w kręgu paryskiej „Kultury” (1972–1985)
Witold Wirpsza in the Circle of the Paris “Kultura” (“Culture”) (1972–1985)

Summary/Abstract: The article sums up Witold Wirpsza’s presence on the pages of one of the most paramount periodicals of the Polish 20th century emigration. Following the decision of the Polish authorities that refused to prolong the validity of his passport, the writer stayed in West Berlin. Between 1972 and 1985 he published in the Paris “Kultura” (“Culture”) almost 60 pieces, including poems, essays, polemics, reviews, conversations, short stories, letters to editors, and open letters. The author of the article traces the publications, and discusses them in the context of Wirpsza’s correspondence with the other figures who prove influential for this monthly. The text in enriched by fragments of letters deposited in Berlin Archiv der Akademie der Künste. Wirpsza’s main respondent is Jerzy Giedroyc―the editor-in-chief of ”Culture.” Other authors of letters quoted in the paper are Gustaw Herling-Grudziński, Leszek Kołakowski, Józef Czapski, and Maria Danilewicz-Zielińska. Pawelec pictures Wirpsza in “Culture” as a writer of polemical temperament. In the circle of “Culture” he was a “well present” figure, especially in the first period of his cooperation with this journal. His activity clearly downtones in the 1980s due to health problems. The crowning of the writer’s “good presence” in “Culture” was a remembrance sketch published after his death in the monthly in question by Wiktor Woroszylski entitled “Imiennik” (“Namesake”).

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