Janina Katz: a rebellious critic? Meeting to promote the book

Janina Katz — an excellent novelist and poet — performs under the banner of Scandinavian literature, although in her works she most often looks at the dramas of Polish-Jewish fate. The book “Life Belongs to Literature” reminds us that her versatile writing activity, first as a literary critic, literary scholar and essayist, belonged and belongs to the Polish culture, which she co-created for many decades. This was before her emigration in 1969 and later, when she made herself known as a feisty reviewer and columnist.

“Life Belongs to Literature” is a fascinating selection of her diverse texts. Clarity of argument, humor, surprising ironic points, and at the same time the conviction that literature allows us to see the action of the “hand of fate” are the distinguishing features of her interpretation of texts. Who's not here? Grynberg, Filipowicz, Grotowski, Kornhauser, Krynicki, Mrozek, Szymborska, Toporska, Zagajewski. And next to them are acquaintances and friends — from Krakow and Copenhagen — whom he looks at with compassion and amusement. In her late essays, she also looks at herself — without the discount fare.

“Life Belongs to Literature” proves that the Cracow School of Criticism had its outstanding representative in Copenhagen.

About Janina Katz's book “Life Belongs to Literature. Sketches and essays” will be discussed by Bogusława Sochańska and Łukasz Tischner. The meeting will be moderated by Dorota Siwor.

Janina Katz, “Life belongs to literature. Sketches and essays”, selection: Magdalena Machała, foreword and editorial: Łukasz Tischner, Wydawnictwo Driada, Luboń 2026.

The meeting takes place as part of the band accompanying the Conrad Festival.

Organizers of the event: Krakow UNESCO City of Literature, Jewish Museum Galicja, Driada Publishing House.

In Polish. Free admission.