Chlipawka i okolice : literackie eksploracje Macieja Wojtyszki

Abstract

Maciej Wojtyszko is a well-known author (writing not only for children), and although his novel Saga rodu Klaptunow ( The Klaptun Saga) cannot be considered a forgotten text, still, it is not discussed frequently. Referring to the Polish tradition (e.g. its demonological parts), the author shows where we come from and what has shaped us. Similarly to other authors o f sagas, Wojtyszko uses both the oral tradition present in his culture and the achievements of the culture of Christian Europe, which is based on the Mediterranean tradition. In his writings, he refers to two separate spheres: folk and elitist, which he symbolically unites. We deal with a synthesis of two traditions: folk tradition - represented by such creatures as utopce, planetnicy, rusalki, chochliki, skrzaty (drowned ones, elves, water sprites, imps, brownies) and other demonic creatures - and elitist literary tradition — represented not only by the character of Master Twardowski, but also by all kinds of intertextual games. Wojtyszko refers to, transforms, parodies, quotes — it is his way of reflecting on the Polish identity. In this work, he unites what is individual (poetic activity) with what is collective, cultural (in its broad understanding) and folk. It is a witty and humorous recipe for Polishness and not only for it (there are some European references), as he presents the components o f which we all consist. The folk tradition, as well as the elitist one (often romantic and identified with the works of Adam Mickiewicz), are not just a source of inspiration, but also a sign of the past and cultural continuum. Parodies and lack of seriousness prevent the texts from ossification - Wojtyszko promises: if you know literature, we will be having fun together. It is so, because continuity cannot exist without education, and durability is the underlying basis of identity.