It was said of him that he was one of the most original Polish post-war poets. A cursed poet, decadent, rebel, alcoholic and sociopath. Exceptionally talented. Already in secondary school, he translated poems by German and English poets. At the same time, he struggled with mental illness. He self-harmed, turned on the gas and took pills. He died by suicide in 1971, at just 26 years of age. At that time, Rafał Wojaczek had only two published poetry collections to his name: “Season” and “Another Fairy Tale”. Two more, “The One Who Was Not” and “The Unfinished Crusade”, were published a year after his tragic death.
His parents were philologists and graduates of Jagiellonian University. Wojaczek also began his studies in Kraków. However, he lasted only one semester. He believed that he was another incarnation of the brilliant French poet and scandal-maker Arthur Rimbaud. He even wrote a poem entitled “I, Rimbaud”. It is difficult to say how much of this was provocation and poetic creation, and how much was true. His poetry clearly reflected a fascination with death, ugliness and corporeality. Nevertheless, he gave his often brutal texts truly sophisticated forms. Lech Majewski portrayed him brilliantly in the film “Wojaczek”, in which the title role was played by another Polish poet, Krzysztof Siwczyk. Saturday’s evening at the Pegaz club will begin with a screening of this very film.
The programme will begin at 5:00 p.m.
(GA information)