Translating Marek

Marek Zulawski: artist, journalist, my father

“niepoKORNa: The Paintings and Sculptures of Halina Korn” – An Exhibition in Toruń, Poland – 5th Nov 2024 to 28th Feb 2025

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I found out yesterday that a new exhibition dedicated to Halina Korn has opened in Toruń. It’s being held at the excitingly-named Collegium Maximum.

I couldn’t find an English press release (even though Halina lived in the UK for about 30 years), so I’ve gone ahead and translated the Polish version myself. It’s mostly a long quote from Halina – watch out for an excellent bit about buttocks.

Poster for Halina Korn exhibition 2024 in Torun, Poland

Opening event: 4 November (Monday) 2024, 17:30
Open from 5 November 2024 to 28 February 2025
Organiser: Nicolaus Copernicus University, University Library, and the Association of Friends of the Emigration Archive
Exhibition authors: Kasia Moskała, Mirosław A.… Keep reading

Wawrzyniec Żuławski: Most Important Is To Rescue People

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A new article about Wawrzyniec Żuławski recently appeared in a French magazine. The author Piotr Paćkowski lives in France but is originally from Poland, and he posted a Polish version of the piece on his personal blog in two parts: here and here. It’s rich, long and detailed, and Paćkowski, a climber himself, is clearly an expert on the sport and its history. I’ve edited it down to create an English version which I’ve published below. Enjoy.

From Polish Soil to Chamonix

You never abandon your companion, even if they’ve just become a block of ice.

Wawrzyniec Żuławski

Legends of the Tatra Volunteer Search & Rescue (TOPR)

Initially called the Rescue Guard, TOPR was founded in 1909.… Keep reading

Marek Zulawski Mural Unearthed at London Transport Museum

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In early March, I emailed the London Transport Museum (LTM) out of curiosity. I’d heard a rumour that some old mural by my father Marek Zulawski was in their depot. Was it really there?

I’d never seen it, neither had my mother. We only had a remnant of Marek’s development of it, a mock-up that hung on the wall before he began working on the real thing.

A couple days later, I got a reply from LTM’s Senior Curator Laura Sleath that it was true. They would be happy to invite me to come see it.

But before we get to what happened in 2023, we need to go back over 70 years ago to understand the context and significance of this piece.… Keep reading

38 years ago today…

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This is an edited repost of the Translating Marek newsletter. It comes out every fortnight. Sign up here to get it in your inbox.

Marek Zulawski passed away on March 30th, 1985, a whopping 38 years ago.

A few years ago, I translated his thoughts about death from his autobiography. Nearly 70 at the time, he was ruminating on his own mortality after attending a friend’s funeral:

I kiss whitewashed faces. Some belong to women I had loved. When was that? Perhaps a thousand years ago. I don’t want to remember – I don’t want to reminisce.

I see a Polish athlete, once splendid in days of yore, now hobbling on crutches through fresh clay – a man from another epoch.

… Keep reading

Windowlicking Internet Stores for Marek Zulawski Art

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I’ve been spending a lot of time in the world of online auctions recently. Today I realised I had a newsletter to write, so I panicked and decided to combine the two. First point of call: Marek Zulawski art.

Marek Zulawski stuff on the Internet

Google has so many hidden corners, doesn’t it?

First Marek-related item I found via Google Shopping was an original poster for his 1957 exhibition in Warsaw’s Zachęta Gallery.

It’s on sale for $450. I have no idea why.

It’s not a particularly interesting design. It seems phoned in. If Marek designed it himself, he was probably just trying to get it out the way before doing something more interesting.… Keep reading

Kazimiera Żuławska: in her own words

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Today is the 50th anniversary of the death of my grandmother Kazimiera Żuławska. Below is a translation by Lauren Dubowski of the essay Kazimiera wrote for the remarkable “Ten jest z ojczyzny mojej” [“This One’s from my Fatherland”, info in Polish about it here], a compendium of first-hand recollections by ethnic Poles who helped save Polish Jews during the Nazi German occupation in World War II. My grandmother was a remarkable woman, and I’m very grateful to Lauren for bringing her words to English readers.
p.s. Eagle-eyed readers will note this is the first TM post in 6 years!

… Keep reading