Na początku była wycinanka... – Giza Frenkel, badaczka żydowskiego folkloru

Abstract

The aim of the article is to present the scientific activity of Giza Frenkel, a researcher of Jewish folklore, whose most works were devoted to the phenomenon of paper cutouts (wycinanki) in the Jewish folk art. Basing on the example of paper cutouts, the folklorist followed not only the development of Jewish applied arts, but also the mutual influence and penetration with Polish folk art. The intermingling of cultures was observed by the Jewish researcher on the example of the forms of cutouts, their techniques and their ornamentation. The author of the article reminds the classification of paper cutouts made by Frenkel, as well as their importance in the religious life and traditional Jewish rites. The author of the article claims that Giza Frenkel’s work on folklore contributed to the revival of such a form of folk creativity, as the cutout, in America, Israel, and, partially, also in Poland.