The seventh edition of the National Reading campaign has begun. The Presidential Couple proposes that all 44 texts from the Anthology of Independence be read throughout 2018. Meanwhile, the book selected for the culmination of the National Reading campaign, to be held on September 8, 2018, is “Przedwiośnie” by Stefan Żeromski.
As President Andrzej Duda recalled, “Przedwiośnie” came in second place in last year’s vote for the book to be read during the 2017 National Reading campaign.
– “Przedwiośnie” is, as the late Professor Tomasz Burek said, a novel of questions to which answers must be sought, President Andrzej Duda said, explaining the choice of book. In the President’s view, Stefan Żeromski portrays Poland in “Przedwiośnie” as a country of “many contrasts.” He recalled that the novel contains many questions that are difficult to answer: Which direction should we take? What should Poland be like? What should its system of government be?
– Many of these questions remain relevant in Poland today, which is why this novel seems so important to us and why it is worth recalling and reading in 2018, he said, encouraging readers. – May it be a book that absorbs us and not only reminds us of history, not only says something about the Polish spirit of that time, but perhaps also inspires us in the present day, he added.
– Literature is a source of our spiritual strength and also the most important bond within our community, First Lady Agata Kornahuser-Duda echoed the President, presenting the Anthology of Independence. She emphasized that the collection includes texts from various eras, from the earliest times to the present. – It is a beautiful cross-sectional portrait of our national culture and literature, Agata Kornahauser-Duda said.
What do you think? Do you think this is a good choice? Or perhaps you feel that Żeromski’s prose has already become rather outdated in the 21st century? We invite you to join the discussion.