SchulzFest 2022: groza i wyobraźnia introdukcje. Jechać do Drohobycza
SchulzFest 2022: Horror and Imagination Introductions. To Travel to Drohobych

Summary/Abstract: The war goes on. It takes place close by and pertains to us directly. Ukraine fights for its freedom and the truth of its existence, but also for the freedom of all of us and the truth of our identity as people. It fights in defence of its sovereignty, but also to protect that which remains the foundation of our culture – aware of its roots, sovereign, based on the human dignity of the culture of Europe and the free world. This year the Drohobych SchulzFest has exceptionally also a Lublin version. An expression of solidarity with struggling Ukraine – a symbolic act and, at the same time, actual activity. I believe in the real power of such acts. More, I profoundly believe in the human value of the fact that we are here and that some of us will soon be in Drohobych. Numerous institutions have supported both parts of this year’s SchulzFest. They include also Polish PEN Club – hence I cite the opening sentences of the PEN Charter: “Literature knows no frontiers and must remain common currency among people in spite of political or international upheavals. In all circumstances, and particularly in time of war, works of art, the patrimony of humanity at large, should be left untouched by national or political passion. Members of PEN should at all times use what influence they have in favour of good understanding and mutual respect between nations and people; they pledge themselves to do their utmost to dispel all hatreds and to champion the ideal of one humanity living in peace and equality in one world”. This is exactly what we are doing. This is also how I envisage SchulzFest. I believe that our presence here constitutes a special value and is a symbolic act that possesses real power. We are people of the word, thought, and imagination. Our domain is culture, art, the symbolic tissue of the world. This enables us to see the full spectre of human reality. We do not close our eyes against the horror of war, its cruelty and absurdity. On the contrary, we keep our eyes wide-open. They reflect terror and anger. There is the pungent smoke of phosphorus bombs. And there are tears. But we should not allow for our world to be written exclusively with the alphabet of war so that the latter would dictate our existence. This is also why we return to Schulz, are both here and on our way to Drohobych. This year’s SchulzFest is symbolic and, at the same time, actual activity. I believe in the real power of such acts. I believe in the profoundly human value of the fact that we are here and that we use art to oppose the senseless and bestial Russian invasion of Ukraine. Art is not weak and helpless. It contains authentic force – that of a spell and a promise. Art never gives up. An artist may be killed but art will survive. It contains life and truth. It is tantamount to freedom. Yes, living art is free – it teaches us freedom and reminds that we have to fight for the latter. It comes to our aid at the most difficult moments. Just like prayer.SchulzFest is the site of art and thus also a form of a struggle. This is also the reason why we return to Schulz and are present here – in Drohobych, in Ukraine shedding blood, the living heart of Europe and the free world. Our force is our imagination. Free and courageous; victory would be much more difficult without it. I believe that SchulzFest brings us closer to such victory.

• Details
• Contents