Jan Kochanowski w pracach Zygmunta Glogera. Poezja staropolska w badaniach XIX-wiecznego etnografa

Abstract

During the writing activity of Zygmunt Gloger, one can see in Polish culture intensification of interest in Jan Kochanowski. Some of the popularizers of this character and his work were important people in the biography of the ethnographer, his authority figures and co-workers. This interest increases around 1884 in connection with the tercentenary jubilee of the poet’s death. In the works of Gloger, the signs of erudition in his writings and high regard for him can, however, be seen much earlier. Subsequent letters written by Gloger testify to the fact that his knowledge of poetry from Czarnolas (“Blackwood”) was getting better, even though the researcher never approached it with philological fidelity. Kochanowski was for him the most important Old Polish poet, the first national bard, the most prominent old Slavic author, who should be known by the whole society, also among the simple people. His poetry is a reliable source of knowledge about the Old Polish culture, both the Old Polish language and the customs of the Old Poland. Of particular importance for Gloger is Pieśń świętojańska o Sobótce (The Midsummer Song about Sobótka), which he referred to throughut his whole writing career, discussing the Sobótka-Kupala Night ritual and popularizing it as an example of a native Polish tradition, loyalty to which can protect against the effects of anti-national policies of the invaders.