The artist Marek Zulawski, translation & Polish-British culture

Hi,

This week, I just have a very short translated piece for you about when my father turned 75 and his thoughts turned to me. I chose it because it was recently the anniversary of his birthday, as well as the 40th anniversary of his death.

For that 40th anniversary, an article was published about him on the popular Polish art site Niezła Sztuka. Even if you don't read Polish (or simply don't have the time to read it in full), it includes a lot of great pictures, so it's worth checking out.

Also, you may remember I mentioned a couple of newsletters ago that there is a Wyspiański exhibition on at the National Portrait Gallery in Trafalgar Square. It turns out there is indeed a drawing of my grandfather included in the show, which was a lovely surprise 😊

Photo courtesy of, ahem, my mum's Facebook page...

---

I've been hiding these anniversaries from my friends for years now

Today was my 75th birthday. I've been hiding these anniversaries from my friends for years now. 

At almost the same time, my son has turned three months old. Basia bought him a little white hat with a brim which makes him look older. He's becoming heavy and large — I'm not scared of picking him up anymore. He likes it. He often tries to talk with me. Then I lay him down on the little sheep skin rug he got from Yola in Australia and I help him exercise his hands and feet. 

One two, one two, one two, physical gymnastics, you'll be a strong lad, hop hop — one two, one two, one two. 

He giggles with joy. When he's had enough, he puts up some resistance and I can feel how his little muscles are strangely powerful. Or I put him on his belly so that he can train his neck to lift his head. Until now he didn't know how to turn round from this position onto his back. He'd push down with his nose and start crying after a moment or two. But now he hauls his little head up and tries to crawl. When he feels like he's had enough fun, he pushes down with one hand and rocks over onto his back. He's going to be a strong man. 

My son has to be strong. He has to be a complete human, equally capable in mind as in body.

My father and I sometime in 1985

Am I a "complete human"? Not particularly. But I don't know anybody who is really, and seeing as my father wasn't around to help me become one, I think I've done okay.

P.s. Sorry if you were hoping to read something longer, but if so, the 40th anniversary of his death seems like a good time to recommend this translation about when he went to his friend's funeral.

---

Polish tango on the BBC

My friend Juliette Bretan will be hosting her own documentary for BBC Radio this weekend all about the history of tango. Although it's usually associated with Argentina, the tango actually has a lot of roots in eastern Europe, especially in Poland.

Juliette is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable academic and journalist, and I'm sure the show will be excellent, so do have a listen when you get the chance - I certainly will.

---

That's all for this week. Many thanks for reading. If you want to support the newsletter, please forward it to a friend or donate here.

Adam

Adam Zulawski

TranslatingMarek.com / TranslatePolishMemoirs.com / Other stuff

👉 Help fund the translation of Studium do autoportretu via Paypal 👈

Sent this by someone else?

Subscribe