Cyprian Kamil Norwid
Cyprian Kamil Norwid
Born	Cyprian Konstanty Norwid (1821-09-24)24 September 1821 Laskowo-Głuchy near Warsaw
Died	23 May 1883(1883-05-23) (aged 61) Paris, France
Occupation	Poet, Essayist
Language	Polish
Nationality	Polish
Genres	Romanticism, Parnassism
Notable work(s)	Vade-mecum Promethidion Czarne kwiaty. Białe kwiaty

Cyprian Kamil Norwid, a.k.a. Cyprian Konstanty Norwid (Polish pronunciation: [ˈt͡sɨprjan ˈnɔrvid]; 24 September 1821– 23 May 1883) is a nationally esteemed Polish poet, dramatist, painter, and sculptor. He was born in the Masovian village of Laskowo-Głuchy near Warsaw. One of his maternal ancestors was the Polish King John III Sobieski.^[1]

Norwid is regarded as one of the second generation of romantics. He wrote many well-known poems including Fortepian Szopena ("Chopin's Piano"), Moja piosnka [II] ("My Song [II]") and Bema pamięci żałobny-rapsod ("A Funeral Rhapsody in Memory of General Bem"). Norwid led a tragic and often poverty-stricken life (once he had to live in a cemetery crypt). He experienced increasing health problems, unrequited love, harsh critical reviews, and increasing social isolation. He lived abroad most of his life, especially in London and in Paris, where he died.

Norwid’s original and non-conformist style was not appreciated in his lifetime and partially due to this fact, he was excluded from high society. His work was only rediscovered and appreciated during the Young Poland art period of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. He is now considered one of the four most important Polish Romantic poets. Other literary historians, however, consider this an over-simplification, and regard his style to be more characteristic of classicism and parnassianism.

Life[link]

South annex of Czapski Palace (Krakowskie Przedmieście 5, Warsaw), where Chopin lived to 1830. In 1837-39 Norwid studied painting here; later he penned "Chopin's Piano," about Russian troops' 1863 defenestration of the piano.

Born into the Topór coat-of-arms, Cyprian Norwid and his brother Ludwik were early orphaned. For most of their childhoods, they were educated at Warsaw schools. In 1830 Norwid interrupted his schooling (not having completed the fifth grade) and entered a private school of painting. His incomplete formal education forced him to become an autodidact.

His first foray into the literary sphere occurred in the periodical Piśmiennictwo Krajowe, which published his first poem, "Mój ostatni sonet" ("My Last Sonnet"), in issue 8, 1840.

Europe[link]

Manuscript of "Chopin's Piano"

In 1842 Norwid went to Dresden, ostensibly to gain instruction in sculpture. He later also visited Venice and Florence. After he settled in Rome in 1844, his fiancée Kamila broke off their engagement. Later he met Maria Kalergis, née Nesselrode, who became his "lost love", even as his health deteriorated.

The poet also traveled to Berlin, where he participated in university lectures and meetings with local Polonia. It was a time for Norwid where he made many social, artistic and political acquaintances. After being arrested and forced to leave Prussia in 1846, Norwid went to Brussels. During the European Revolutions of 1848, he stayed in Rome, where he met fellow Polish intellectuals Adam Mickiewicz and Zygmunt Krasiński.

During 1849-1852, Norwid resided in Paris, where he met fellow Poles Frédéric Chopin and Juliusz Słowacki, as well as Russians Ivan Turgenev and Alexander Herzen. Financial hardship, unrequited love, political misunderstandings, and negative critical reception of his works put Norwid in a dire situation at this stage. Norwid lived in poverty and suffered from progressive blindness and deafness, but he still managed to publish his work in the Parisian publication Goniec polski.

U.S.A.[link]

Under the protection of Władysław Zamoyski, Norwid decided to emigrate to the United States of America on 29 September 1852. He arrived aboard the Margaret Evans in New York on 12 February 1853, and during the spring, obtained a well-paying job at a graphics firm. By autumn, he had learned about the outbreak of the Crimean War. This made him consider a return to Europe, and he wrote to Mickiewicz and Herzen, requesting their assistance.

Paris[link]

During April 1854, Norwid returned to Europe with Prince Marcel Lubomirski. He lived in London and earned enough money through artistic endeavours to be finally able to return to Paris. With his artistic work revived, Norwid was able to publish several works. Norwid took a very keen interest in the outbreak of the January Uprising in 1863. Although he could not participate personally due to his poor health, Norwid hoped to personally influence the outcome of the event.

In 1866, the poet finished his work on Vade-Mecum, a vast anthology of verse. However, despite his greatest efforts and formidable contacts, it was unable to be published. This included Prince Władysław Czartoryski failing to grant the poet the loan he had promised.

In subsequent years, Norwid lived in extreme poverty and suffered from tuberculosis. His cousin, Michał Kleczkowski, later relocated Norwid to the nursing home of St. Casimir's Institute, on the outskirts of Paris. During the last months of his life, Norwid was weak and bed-ridden; he frequently wept and refused to speak with anyone. He died in the morning of 23 May 1883.

Legacy[link]

Norwid, Paris, 1861

Literary historians view Norwid's work as being too far ahead of its time to be appreciated,^[2] possessing elements of romanticism, classicism and parnassianism. Following his death, many of Norwid's works were forgotten; it was not until the Young Poland period that his finesse and style was appreciated. At that time, his work was discovered and popularised by Zenon Przesmycki, a Polish poet and literary critic who was a member of the Polish Academy of Literature. Some eventually concluded that during his life, Norwid had been rejected by his contemporaries so that he could be understood by the next generation of "late grandsons."^[3]

Esoteric opinion is divided however, as to whether he was a true Romanticist artist - or if he was artistically ahead of his time. Norwid's "Collected Works" (Dzieła Zebrane) were published in 1968 by Juliusz Wiktor Gomulicki, a Norwid biographer and commentator. The full iconic collection of the artist's work was released during the period 1971-76 as Pisma Wszystkie ("Writings of All"). Comprising 11 volumes, it includes all of Norwid's poetry as well as his letters and reproductions of his artwork.

On 24 September 2001, 118 years after his death in France, an urn containing soil from the collective grave where Norwid had been buried, from the Paris cemetery of Montmorency, was enshrined in the "Crypts of the Bards" at Wawel Cathedral. There, Norwid's remains were placed next to those of fellow Polish poets Adam Mickiewicz and Juliusz Slowacki.

The cathedral's Zygmunt Bell, heard only when events of great national and religious significance occur, resounded loudly to mark the poet's return to his homeland. During a special Thanksgiving Mass held at the cathedral, the Archbishop of Kraków, a cardinal Franciszek Macharski said that 74 years after the remains of Juliusz Slowacki were brought in, again the doors of the crypt of bards have opened "to receive the great poet, Cyprian Norwid, into Wawel's royal cathedral, for he was the equal of kings".^[4]

In 1966, the Polish Scouts in Chicago acquired a 240 acre parcel of property in the northwoods of Wisconsin, 20 miles west of Crivitz, WI and named it Camp Norwid in his honor. The camp is private property, and has been the forging place for generations of youth of Polish heritage from Chicagoland, and across the United States.

Works[link]

Relief, Wawel Cathedral

Norwid's most prodigious work, Vade-mecum, written between 1858 and 1865, was first published a century after his death. Some of Norwid's works have been translated into English by the American academic Walter Whipple.

• (English) The Larva
• (English) Mother Tongue (Język ojczysty)
• (English) My Song
• (English) To Citizen John Brown (Do obywatela Johna Brown)
• (English) What Did You Do to Athens, Socrates? (Coś ty Atenom zrobił Sokratesie...)
• (Polish) Fortepian Szopena
• (Polish) Assunta (1870)
• (Polish) Vade-Mecum

The entries above that are accompanied by the (English) icon have been translated into English by Whipple.

See also[link]

• List of Poles

Notes[link]

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Cyprian Kamil Norwid

• Polish culture: Cyprian Norwid 2003
• Adamiec, Dr. Mark Cyprian Norwid
• Speech made by Pope John Paul II to the representatives of the Institute of Polish National Patrimony
• Biography links
• Norwid laid to rest in Wawel Cathedral
• Repository of translated poems
• Maria Kalergis, Listy do Adama Potockiego (Letters to Adam Potocki), edited by Halina Kenarowa, translated from the French by Halina Kenarowa and Róża Drojecka, Warsaw, 1986.

Thascius Caecilius Cyprianus Saint Cyprian
Icon of Saint Cyprian
Bishop and Martyr
Born	3rd century AD North Africa
Died	September 14, 258(258-09-14) Carthage, Africa Province, Roman Empire
Honored in	Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church.
Feast	September 16 (Roman Catholic Church) August 31 (Eastern Orthodox Church)

This page is about Cyprian, bishop of Carthage. For other Cyprians, see Cyprian (disambiguation).

Cyprian (Latin: Thascius Caecilius Cyprianus) (died September 14, 258) was bishop of Carthage and an important Early Christian writer, many of whose Latin works are extant. He was born around the beginning of the 3rd century in North Africa, perhaps at Carthage, where he received a classical education. After converting to Christianity, he became a bishop in 249 and eventually died a martyr at Carthage.

Early life[link]

Cyprian was born sometime in the early third century. He was of a wealthy and distinguished pagan background; in fact, the site of his eventual martyrdom was his own villa. Before becoming a Christian, he was an orator, "pleader in the courts", and a teacher of rhetoric.^[1] The date of his conversion is unknown, but after his baptism about 245–248 he gave away a portion of his wealth to the poor of Carthage, as befitted a man of his status.

His original name was Thascius; he took the additional name Caecilius in memory of the presbyter to whom he owed his conversion. In the early days of his conversion he wrote an Epistola ad Donatum de gratia Dei and the Testimoniorum Libri III that adhere closely to the models of Tertullian, who influenced his style and thinking.

His contested election as bishop of Carthage[link]

Not long after his baptism he was ordained deacon, and soon afterward presbyter; and some time between July 248 and April 249 he was chosen bishop of Carthage, a popular choice among the poor who remembered his patronage as demonstrating good equestrian style, while a portion of the presbytery opposed it, for all Cyprian's wealth and learning and diplomacy and literary talents. Moreover, the opposition within the church community at Carthage did not dissolve during his episcopacy.

Soon, however, the entire community was put to an unwonted test. Christians in North Africa had not suffered persecution for many years; the church was assured and lax. Early in 250 the "Decian persecution" began. Measures were first taken demanding that the bishops and officers of the church sacrifice to the emperor. The proconsul on circuit, and five commissioners for each town, administered the edict; but, when the proconsul reached Carthage, Cyprian had fled.

It is quite evident in the writings of the church fathers from various dioceses that the Christian community was divided on this occasion, among those who stood firm in civil disobedience, and those who buckled, submitting in word or in deed to the order of sacrifice and receiving a ticket or receipt called a "libellus". Cyprian's secret departure from Carthage was interpreted by his enemies as cowardice and infidelity, and they hastened to accuse him at Rome. The Roman clergy wrote to Cyprian in terms of disapproval. Cyprian rejoined that he fled in accordance with visions and the divine command. From his place of refuge he ruled his flock with earnestness and zeal, using a faithful deacon as his intermediary.

Controversy over the lapsed[link]

The persecution was especially severe at Carthage, according to Church sources. Many Christians fell away, and were thereafter referred to as "lapsi", but afterwards asked to be received again into the Church. Their requests were granted early, with no regard being paid to the demand of Cyprian and his faithful among the Carthaginian clergy, who insisted upon earnest repentance. The confessors among the more liberal group intervened to allow hundreds of the lapsed to return to the Church.

Though he had remained in seclusion himself, Cyprian now censured all laxity toward the lapsed, refused absolution to them except in case of mortal sickness, and desired to postpone the question of their re-admission to the Church to quieter times. A schism broke out in Carthage. Felicissimus, who had been ordained deacon by the presbyter Novatus during the absence of Cyprian, opposed all steps taken by Cyprian's representatives. Cyprian deposed and excommunicated him and his supporter Augendius. Felicissimus was upheld by Novatus and four other presbyters, and a determined opposition was thus organized.

When, after an absence of fourteen months, Cyprian returned to his diocese, he defended leaving his post in letters to the other North African bishops and a tract "De lapsis," and called a council of North African bishops at Carthage to consider the treatment of the lapsed and the apparent schism of Felicissimus (251). The council in the main sided with Cyprian and condemned Felicissimus, though no acts of this council survive. The "libellatici" were to be restored at once upon sincere repentance; but such as had taken part in heathen sacrifices could be received back into the Church only when on the point of death. Afterward this regulation was essentially mitigated, and even these were restored if they repented immediately after a sudden fall and eagerly sought absolution; though clerics who had fallen were to be deposed and could not be restored to their functions.

In Carthage the followers of Felicissimus elected Fortunatus as bishop in opposition to Cyprian, while in Rome the followers of the Roman presbyter Novatian, who also refused absolution to all the lapsed, elected their man as bishop of Rome, in opposition to Cornelius. The Novationists secured the election of a rival bishop of their own at Carthage, Maximus by name. Novatus now left Felicissimus and followed the Novatian party.

But these extremes strengthened the firm but moderating influence exhibited in Cyprian's writings, and the following of his opponents grew less and less. He rose still higher in the favor of the people when they witnessed his self-denying devotion during the time of a great plague and famine.

He comforted his brethren by writing his "De mortalitate," and in his "De eleomosynis" exhorted them to active charity towards the poor, while he set the best pattern by his own life. He defended Christianity and the Christians in the apologia "Ad Demetrianum," directed against a certain Demetrius and the reproach of the heathens that Christians were the cause of the public calamities.

Persecution under Valerian[link]

At the end of 256 a new persecution of the Christians under Emperor Valerian I broke out, and both Pope Stephen I and his successor, Pope Sixtus II, suffered martyrdom at Rome.

In Africa Cyprian courageously prepared his people for the expected edict of persecution by his "De exhortatione martyrii," and himself set an example when he was brought before the Roman proconsul Aspasius Paternus (August 30, 257). He refused to sacrifice to the pagan deities and firmly professed Christ.

The consul banished him to Curubis, modern Korba, whence he comforted to the best of his ability his flock and his banished clergy. In a vision he saw his approaching fate. When a year had passed he was recalled and kept practically a prisoner in his own villa, in expectation of severer measures after a new and more stringent imperial edict arrived, demanding the execution of all Christian clerics, according to reports of it by Christian writers.

On September 13, 258, he was imprisoned at the behest of the new proconsul, Galerius Maximus. The day following he was examined for the last time and sentenced to die by the sword. His only answer was "Thanks be to God!" The execution was carried out at once in an open place near the city. A vast multitude followed Cyprian on his last journey. He removed his garments without assistance, knelt down, and prayed. After he blindfolded himself, he was beheaded by the sword.

The body was interred by Christian hands near the place of execution, and over it, as well as on the actual scene of his death, churches were afterward erected, which, however, were destroyed by the Vandals. Charlemagne is said to have had the bones transferred to France, and Lyons, Arles, Venice, Compiegne, and Roenay in Flanders claim the possession of the martyr's relics.

Writings[link]

Wikisource has original works written by or about: Cyprian

Cyprian's works were edited in volumes 3 and 4 of the Patrologia Latina. Besides a number of epistles, which are partly collected with the answers of those to whom they were written, Cyprian wrote a number of treatises, some of which have also the character of pastoral letters.

His most important work is his "De unitate ecclesiae." In it, he states: "He can no longer have God for his Father who has not the Church for his mother; . . . he who gathereth elsewhere than in the Church scatters the Church of Christ" (vi.); "nor is there any other home to believers but the one Church" (ix.).

The following works are of doubtful authenticity: De spectaculis ("On Public Games"); De bono pudicitiae ("The Virtue of Modesty"); De idolorum vanitate ("On the Vanity of Images," written by Novatian); De laude martyrii ("In Praise of Martyrs"); Adversus aleatores; De duobus montibus Sina et Sion (On the Two Mountains Sinai and Zion); Adversus Judaeos; and the Cena Cypriani ("Cyprian's Banquet", which enjoyed wide circulation in the Middle Ages). The treatise entitled De duplici martyrio ad Fortunatum was not only published for the only time by Erasmus, but was probably also composed by him and fathered upon Cyprian.

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Brent, Allen, editor and translator, "St Cyprian of Carthage: Selected Treatises," St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2007, ISBN 0-88141-312-7
• Brent, Allen, editor and translator, "St Cyprian of Carthage: Selected Letters," St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2007, ISBN 0-88141-313-5
• Daniel, Robin, "This Holy Seed: Faith, Hope and Love in the Early Churches of North Africa," (Chester, Tamarisk Publications, 2010: from www.opaltrust.org) ISBN 095385634
• Christian Classics Ethereal Library: Cyprian texts
• J.M. Tebes, "Cyprian of Carthage: Christianity and Social World in the 3rd. century", Cuadernos de Teología 19, (2000) (Spanish)

St Cyprian's first writing starts out as a speech he made to his friends. It is called, Ad Donatum. It speaks out against the Roman Government and gladiator shows. He says that the only refuge from these evils is the prayerful life of a Christian. His style of writing is said to be unequaled among the Fathers of the Church.

Feast Day in the Anglican/Episcopal Church is September 13

External links[link]

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Cyprian

• Cyprian and Roman Carthage by Allen Brent(Cambridge, 2010).
• Pontius the Deacon (Pontius Diaconis), "The Life and Passion of Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr"
• "The Plague of AD 251"
• Cyprian on the nature of the Church and Papacy by Dom John Chapman
• Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Cyprian
• Works by Cyprian at the IntraText Digital Library, with concordance and frequency lists
• Acta proconsularia S. Cypriani
• Multilanguage Opera Omnia
• Prayer to St. Cyprian
• The Cyprian Project

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Stan Borys
Stan Borys
Background information
Born	(1941-09-03)September 3, 1941
Origin	Załęże, Poland
Genres	Rock Pop Sung poetry
Occupations	Singer-songwriter
Years active	1961 -
Website	Official website

Stan Borys or Stanislaw Guzek (was born September 3, 1941 in Załęże (now a district of Rzeszów)) is a Polish singer-songwriter, actor, director and poet.

He is a charismatic person and a versatile artist who has a broad musical taste, acting and directing capabilities. In his over 50-year-long (celebrated 2011) musical career he has recorded 8 albums, has been a performer at many festivals, and won many awards.

Early life[link]

Since his early years he has been interested in poetry. At the age of 20 he won a countrywide recitation competition. Gifted with a very strong voice and a good diction he started an acting career at the theatre in his hometown and then moved to the capital city of Poland, Warsaw.

Musical career[link]

In 1965 he met Tadeusz Nalepa, with whom he created the band "Blackout". After two years of playing together he split with the "Blackout" and started playing with band "Bizony". As a vocalist with this band he changed his name, stage appearance and recorded his big holiday hit song "Spacer Dziką Plażą" (Walking on a Sandy Beach).

He was aiming into a more ambitious repertoire and in 1968 he appeared at the Opole music festival with the song "To Ziemia" (It's Earth), winning the journalists' prize. In 1973 he won another award performing "Jaskółka Uwięziona" at the Opole festival.

Since 1970 he started acting only as soloist. He was singing in many festivals in Poland, and abroad winning prizes.

Because of his "Jesus-like-look" image (he has long hair, a beard and always wears a cross necklace), and liberty-themed songs, he experienced problems with the communist government which often cut off his appearances on TV, and censored his lyrics.

Moving to the USA and further career[link]

Stan Borys has always been fascinated with the USA, and finally in 1975 (after several attempts, and going through obstacles created by the government, under pretending to be going on an artists exchange), he managed move permanently to the US.

On the other side of the Atlantic, he continued his musical career and started singing at various music clubs, working with Polish and American artists and polishing his English. Despite being thousands of miles away from Poland, he cherished his love for Polish poetry, which he promoted in his radio programme in Chicago. In 1983, celebrating 100th anniversary of C.K. Norwid's (a Polish poet) death during the World Norwid Conference held at the University of Illinois in Chicago, he directed and starred in the theatre performance "Norwid".

His acting and vocal talent led to acting in other plays e.g. "The good Woman of Setzuan", "Polish Bethlehem".

Visiting Poland[link]

After 1989 he started visiting Poland again. In 1991 he performed at the Opole and Sopot festivals, and played Jean Valjean in the musical Les Misérables.

In 1998 he recorded a new album "Niczyj" with several well known international artists as well as performed on tour in Canada, and throughout the US. The album had not been available in Poland until 2004.

Stan Borys performed during the celebrations of the Polish accession to the European Union on 30 April 2004.

The same year he took part in some charity concerts.

Because of many performances in Poland Stan Borys has now a house near Warsaw. In the USA he lives near Death Valley, where as he says he has a good atmosphere for his work.

Trivia[link]

Stan Borys practices yoga as well as meditation techniques and breathing exercises, which helps him in his vocal performances.

He is a fan of muscle cars. His first automobile after moving to the USA was a Pontiac sports car. Currently he drives a 1998 Jaguar XJR.^[1]

Discography[link]

• (with Blackout) Studnia Bez Wody
• (with Bizony) To ziemia (1968)
• Krzyczę Przez Sen (1970)
• (with Niebiesko-Czarni) Naga (1972)
• Szukam Przyjaciela (1974)
• Portret
• Piszę Pamiętnik Artysty (1983)
• Niczyj (1998)
• (with Imię Jego 44) Znieczulica (2007)
• Piszę Pamiętnik Artysty - Hańba Temu, Kto o Tym Źle Myśli (2010)

Compilations[link]

• The Best of Stan Borys (1991)
• Złote Przeboje (Platynowa kolekcja) (1999)
• Idę Drogą Nieznaną (Złota kolekcja) (2002)
• Jaskółka Uwięziona (Perły Polskie) (2003)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Stan Borys' Official website
• Official biography
• Official YouTube channel
• Fan group at Last.fm

Przemysław Gintrowski
Przemysław Gintrowski in 2009
Background information
Born	(1951-12-21)December 21, 1951 Stargard Szczeciński, Poland
Genres	Sung poetry
Occupations	Composer, musician
Years active	1976—present
Website	gintrowski.art.pl

Przemysław Gintrowski (born December 21, 1951 in Stargard Szczeciński) is a Polish composer and musician.

Gintrowski debuted in 1976 on a review of the Warsaw Riviera with the song “Epitaph for Sergei Yesenin”. Shortly afterwards, in 1979, he formed a trio with Jacek Kaczmarski and Zbigniew Łapiński, and initiated a poetic programme “Mury” (“Walls”). The title song of the programme, “Mury”, based on the song written by Catalan bard Lluis Llach L'Estaca - has become an informal anthem of "Solidarity" and the symbol of the fight against the regime. Another program they've created is “Raj” and “Museum”.

With the declaration of martial law in December 1981 Trio broke up - Jacek Kaczmarski remained in exile in France, and Gintrowski started his own artistic activity. He made his debut as a composer of film music – during the next ten years he created music for over twenty fictional films and serials.

Ginstrowski’s songs based on texts by Jacek Kaczmarski, Zbigniew Herbert, Tomasz Jastrun, Krzysztof Maria Sieniawski, Jerzy Czech, Tadeusz Nowak and Marek Tercz. For several years he did not record their own songs, although he still composes for other artists and prepares music for films. Gintrowski announced he will record another album entitled “Kanapka z człowiekiem” (“Sandwich with a man”) that would contain older material in new developments as well as some brand new songs. On August 31, 2006 he was awarded by President Lech Kaczyński with The Order of Polonia Restituta.

References[link]

• Krzysztof Gajda: To moja droga : biografia Jacka Kaczmarskiego. Wrocław: Wydawnictwo Dolnośląskie, 2009. ISBN 978-83-245-8761-2.

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Przemysław Gintrowski

• Page dedicated to Gintrowski
• Gintrowski on filmweb.pl