Dylematy romantycznego regionalizmu. Wokół recepcji Pana Tadeusza Adama Mickiewicza

Abstract

The subject of my discussion is the Romantic regional discourse, exemplified by the reception of Pan Tadeusz (Sir Thaddeus) by Adam Mickiewicz. Polish Romantic poets, both in their manifestos and literary works, address the issues related to the discovery and valorization of particular geographic regions of former Poland. However, other voices, perceiving regionalism as a threat to the unity of Poland given its political situation, are also expressed. A solution is often found in emphasizing the idea of unity of the country while observing that individual regions are parts of Poland as a whole. Pan Tadeusz is prevailingly interpreted as an expression of a quintessentially Polish, rather than Lithuanian, reality. National, social and religious differences between individual regions are blurred, as Romantic and Post‑Romantic literature situates Poland in the centre. The perspective of the Romantics who see the regions as autonomous and yet belonging to Poland is possible to discuss in terms of contemporary postcolonial discourse.