Cztery spotkania ze Zbigniewem Herbertem
Four Meetings with Zbigniew Herbert

Summary/Abstract: The article reflects on the author's personal encounters with the renowned Polish poet Zbigniew Herbert, beginning with an introduction to his parents' friends, Irena and Tadeusz Byrski, who introduced the author to Herbert in 1966. The Byrskis shared anecdotes about Herbert, highlighting his sense of humor and personal connection to other literary figures like Czesław Miłosz. The author recounts their first meeting with Herbert, where they shared poetry, and the profound impact it had on him. Subsequent meetings included a tribute to the late actor Juliusz Osterwa, where the author found Herbert's performance disappointing due to its overemphasis. Later, during a difficult period in Poland, Herbert held a reading in a church, which resonated deeply with the audience, offering them courage and solace. The final encounter was at Herbert's funeral in 1998, where the author reflects on the emotional atmosphere, the presence of notable figures, and a distasteful comment made by a fellow attendee regarding the Nobel Prize, emphasizing the complicated legacy of literary recognition. The author concludes with a somber reflection on Herbert's enduring influence through his poetry.

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