Michał Głowiński | |
|---|---|
 Głowiński in 2016 | |
| Born | (1934-11-04)4 November 1934[1] |
| Died | 29 September 2023(2023-09-29) (aged 88) Warsaw, Poland |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Citizenship | Polish |
| Alma mater | University of Warsaw |
| Genre | History and literary theory specializing in the recent history of Polish literature |
| Notable works | Black Seasons Ulysses' Day[1] Circles of Strangeness. |
| Notable awards | Order of Polonia Restituta,Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis[1] |
Michał Głowiński (4 November 1934 – 29 September 2023) was a Polishphilologist, historian and literary theorist specializing in the history ofPolish literature. Głowiński was a professor of humanities and member of thePolish Academy of Sciences and thePolish Academy of Arts and Sciences. Głowiński was a professor at theInstitute of Literary Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences and a Member of theCollegium Invisibile.[2][3]
Głowiński wrote about 30 books on Polish studies. The most famous include,Order, Chaos, Meaning (1968),The Young-Polish Novel (1969),Black Seasons (Czarne sezony) (1998) andRings of Alienation. Głowiński wrote extensively on the language of Communist propaganda and his experience as a young Jewish boy in the WW2 Polish Ghettos.
Michał Głowiński was born inWarsaw on 4 November 1934.[4] At the beginning of the Second World War, Głowiński and his family were placed in the ghetto inPruszków and later transferred to theWarsaw Ghetto. Głowiński was taken to the Warsaw ghetto in 1939, at five years old. Głowiński was saved from the Warsaw Ghetto byIrena Sendler and placed in the care facility of the Congregation of the Blessed Virgin Mary's Servants inTurkowice. In his memoirs,Black Seasons, Głowiński devoted four chapters to the orphanage in Turkowice, where the cruelty of some children towards him is contrasted with the goodness of others. Głowiński and his parents stayed there until July 1942, when the Nazis ordered the liquidation of the ghetto.[5] Half a million Jewish residents of the ghetto were taken toUmschlagplatz and from there to theTreblinka gas chambers. After initially hiding in a cellar, Głowiński and his parents were identified and selected for Treblinka. They were saved, though, thanks to a Jewish police officer, whom his father knew, and who helped them escape to Warsaw.
Głowiński studied Polish studies at theUniversity of Warsaw after the war and graduated with a master's degree in 1955. In 1954, Głowiński debuted with a study ofAdolf Rudnicki's "Manfred." Głowiński was a scholarship holder at the Department of Theory of Literature underKazimierz Budzyk [pl] from 1955 to 1958. At the same time, Głowiński started to engage in critical practice, especially reviewing poetry collections in publications such as "Życie Literackie" and "Twórczoci. "
From 1958, Głowiński worked at thePolish Academy of Sciences' Institute of Literary Study.[1] Graduating in 1967 with a dissertation titled "A collection of studies in the history and theory of the Polish novel." Głowiński earned the academic title of professor in 1976.[6]
Głowiński joined the Scientific Courses Society as a founding member in 1978.[6] On 20 August 1980, Głowiński signed a letter to the communist authorities signed by 64 academics, authors, and journalists urging them to dialogue with the striking workers. Głowiński was promoted to full professor in 1986.[6]
In 1999 Głowiński spoke about Polish academia under communism.[1] Głowiński said that authorities looked more about his knowledge of Marxism rather than literacy.[1] Głowiński recalled his disappointment with the scientific level of his lectures, often on Marxism rather than literature, and the beginnings of his fascination with linguistics.[1]
Głowiński chaired the institute's Scientific Council since 1990. Głowiński was a member of the Polish Authors Association and the Warsaw Scientific Society.[6]
Głowiński published an autobiographical novel, named "Circles of Strangeness" in 2010.[6][7] This book also was his publiccoming out asgay.[7]
Michał Głowiński died on 29 September 2023, at the age of 88.[8]
Głowiński had four honorary degrees.[6] In 2002, Głowiński was honored with theKazimierz Wyka. In 2004, Głowiński was awarded by theAlfred Toepfer Foundation inHamburg. In January 2007, Głowiński was awarded the gold medal for Merit to Culture - Gloria Artis.[7] In 2008, Głowiński became a laureate of the literary award of the Polish PEN Club, with theJan Parandowski prize. On 8 March 2013, for outstanding services in researching, documenting and commemorating the history of March '68, Głowiński was decorated with the Officer's Cross of theOrder of Polonia Restituta.[6][9]
Głowiński was nominated four times for theNike Literary Award: in 1997 for Speech in a state of siege, in 1999 for Black Seasons, in 2001 for Ulysses' Day and other sketches on non-mythological topics, and in 2011 for Circles of Strangeness. On 11 December 2016, Głowiński received the Lodz Literary Award.Julian Tuwim, awarded to him for "not only literary but also ethical standards" and "commitment to the world's affairs."[6]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Academics | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |
