- December 5, 2013
- 332
This is the best Polish book of all time that was translated into Lithuanian (PHOTO)
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A book of Wiesław Myśliwski entitled “Traktat o łuskaniu fasoli” was considered the best Polish book of all time that was translated into Lithuanian. It was decided by Lithuanian readers who vote online. The plebiscite results were announced during the summing-up of the Year of Polish Literature in Lithuania.
On Thursday, in the Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, took place a solemn ceremony on the occasion of completion of the Year of Polish Literature that was announced earlier this year by Lithuanian Translator’s Association. During 2013 lots of projects were organised and many publications about Polish literature were published.
“It was not an easy project. We had a lot of doubts whether the Polish literature is the area of interest of Lithuanian reader and translator. Thanks to our friends from Lithuanian Translator’s Association as well as the Lithuanian Association for Writers today we know that Polish literature is still a value, an interesting field” said Małgorzata Kasner, a director of the Polish Institute in Vilnius.
During the summing-up of the Year of Polish Literature in Lithuania the most popular Polish book of all time that was translated into Lithuanian was announced. Lithuanian readers decided that this title should be given to “Traktat o łuskaniu fasoli” (translated by Kazys Uscila), a book of contemporary Polish writer Wiesław Myślwiski. The second place was taken by “Dolina Issy” by Czesław Miłosz (translated by Algis Kalėda) and the third by Henryk Sienkiewicz’s novel “Quo Vadis” (translated by Vytautas Visockas).
Lithuanian readers chose from 24 most valuable books selected by experts. The list of books was shown on Lithuanian Translator’s Association website.
Irena Aleksaitė, a coordinator of the project and a translator, said that she looked through the bibliography with a great interest as it gave her a chance to trace certain tendencies in literature.
“At the beginning of the 20th century mostly one-act comedies or romances were translated. For example “Trędowata” by Helena Mniszkówna was reprinted very often. Only later people little by little started to enjoy Polish classics and over the last two decades lots of contemporary literature is translated” said Irena Aleksaitė. The first one to translate in 1901 was a book entitled “Marny adwokat” (by the book of Eliza Orzeszkowa “Niziny” translated by Vincas Kalnietis and Jonas Jablonskis.
Everyone who took part in voting took part in lottery as well. The first prize is a two days trip to Warsaw founded by the Polish Institute in Vilnius.
During the evening two violinists Zbigniew and Konrad Lewicki performed and well-known Lithuanian actress Dalia Michelevičiūtė read fragments of books that got the most votes.
Iwona Klimaszewska
Tłumaczenie by Sara Howicka w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu. Translated by Sara Howicka within the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu.