What Are Some Of The Mythical Influences Found In Polish Literature?

3 Responses to “What Are Some Of The Mythical Influences Found In Polish Literature?”

1. zackadoo says:

   March 1, 2010 at 6:03 AM

   I guess if you are writing a paper and lookig for ideas you will look these up from more scholarly sources than answers..but a few additonal ideas…
   theres the story of Lech, and his two brothers, the eagles nest and the founding of Gniezno the first polish capital (a myth about the founding state)
   There’s the myths surrounding the weeping black maddonna of Czestochowa.
   There’s also the story of Janosik the Polish Robin Hood.
   And more of a fairy tale (throughout eastern Europe) of Baba Yaga..which like in Hansel and Gretel
2. Akkita says:

   March 1, 2010 at 7:33 AM

   Couldn’t find much, hope this helps……
   Pan Twardowski (pronounced [pÊŒn tfÊŒr'dÉ'fski]) is a Polish folklore character, a sorcerer who entered a pact with the Devil. Similar to the figure of Faust in German literature, Pan Twardowski sold his soul in exchange for special powers – such as summoning up the spirit of Polish King Sigismund Augustus’ deceased wife – and eventually met a tragic fate. The tale of Pan Twardowski exists in various diverging versions and formed the basis for many works of fiction, including by ………….(follow link)
   2)Olga Tokarczuk (born 29 January 1962 in Sulechów near Zielona Góra, Poland) is one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful Polish writers of her generation, particularly noted for the hallmark mythical tone of her writing.
   Before starting her literary career, from 1980 Tokarczuk trained as a psychologist at the University of Warsaw. During her studies, she volunteered in an asylum for adolescents with behavioural problems
   3)on the history of Polish literature (Julian Tuwim, Boleslaw Lesmian, Antoni Slonimski, Mieczyslaw Jastrun …
3. Marysia says:

   March 1, 2010 at 10:10 AM

   here’s one that might help….
   How did the name “Krakow” Originate?
   The very name of the city of Krakow is so old that no historical information which would explain is available today. Helpful here, however are legends and tales which have been preserved in folk
   tales & passed through generations. They go back to a past so distant that now it almost
   seems in the realm of fairy tales. From this heritage we draw our knowledge about the ancient
   hero’s and their deeds & also the everyday manner in which their lives consisted.
   While you have already read the story about Prince Krak; who saved the town from the dragon,
   there is more. This additional legend does not contradict rather, enhances the possible reality of
   that which we are about to learn. The Prince would have been eager to acquire the favour of the
   black-winged gods & in order to obtain it he first adopted his own name from their crowing
   and then bestowed it upon the city. Intrigued…. Read on!
   In caverns, dens and forests the people would make sacrifices of grain & bread to the ravens,
   which were supposed to guarantee plentiful harvests, good health & well being. Also a special
   class of priests were created. These priests not only took care of the “holy birds”, but also
   performed various mysterious rituals.
   When in trouble people would turn to advice from the priests, who were well versed in fortune
   telling & other auguries. They told the future from the raven’s feathers found in the forest and
   from the behavior of the birds, by observing the way they crowed, flew or alighted on the trees.
   Even the local princes willingly took advantage of this sort of advice, especially when they were planning some military expeditions or when they were about to make some important decisions concerning their country. And so the cult of the birds had developed in Poland for hundreds
   of years, till a new religion replaced the old pagan beliefs.
   Christianity, which fought against all aspects of idolatry, considered the worship of the ravens
   to be sinful and forbade it strictly. All the holy places connected with their cult were destroyed
   while the priests were driven out. However, it turned out that folk still practiced the worship of
   ravens in secret, so the birds themselves became objects of persecution & were mercilessly hunted.
   It even occurred so that the Bishop of Krakow ordered – that all ravens should be captured,
   have heavy stones attached to their necks and drowned in the Wisla River. Thus some time
   elapsed and the memory of the holy birds faded away, but the echo of the raven’s
   crowing has remained the name of the city forever.
   here’s one on the Wieliczka Salt Mine
   Chapel of Blessed Kinga
   The church measures 54m x 17m & 12m high. Every single element here from the chandeliers, to the altarpieces, to the “tile” floor – all is of salt. It took over 30 years (1895-1927) to complete the underground temple, & about 20,000 tons of rock salt had to be removed. From 1927-1963 additional elements were added to complete it more fully. The number of saline statues placed in the chapel were made by miners: Josef & Tomasz Markowski & Antoni Wyrodek. The statue of the pope – John Paul II by Stanislaw Aniol was added in 1999. 3 masses and a few benefit concerts are held here yearly.
   The salt deposits of Wieliczka are regarded as just a small fraction of the sub-Carpathian rock salt stream, which was formed nearly 15 million years ago. The layers of salt spread from west to east for over 10km. The upper part of the deposit (the first top 3 mine levels) consists of salt grained hammered in a clay mass. Underneath there are salt seams interspaced with clay anhydrite & sandstones. Nearly 2040 chambers of the mine constitute all together the capacity of over 7.5 million meters. The lowest of the mine level goes down to 327 m.
   According to legend, just when the Hungarian Princess Kinga was to set off for the land of her betrothed, Polish Prince Boleslaws, she had thrown her betrothal ring into the salt mine shaft of Maramarosz in her home of Hungary. She set out for Poland with her entourage. As they were approaching the city of Krakow, she felt strange and told her people to stop. Upon getting out of the carriage, she told her people to dig. They dug and dug, creating a deep pit – until they hit salt. In the first lump taken there appeared Princess Kinga’s betrothal ring. It is said that the salt mines the Princess so enjoy, followed her to Poland.
   try and find some books – Lgendary Krakow copyright & distributed by Storyteller.
   there is also this information in the back….
   http://www.uj.edu.pl
   drukarnia@adm.uj.edu.pl
   i picked up at wawel castle in krakow – i adore books like this!not sure if this is what you’re looking for but….