Iskra wyszła z Odessy. O epizodzie odeskim w życiu

Abstract

Mariusz Zaruski (1867-1941) is an outstanding sailor, expert on maritime matters, veteran Tatra mountaineer, devoted soldier, Uhlan in Belina's regiment and legion commander, a general of the Polish Army, as well as a painter, photographer, poet and author of prose on maritime issues and Tatra Mountains. What is less known than his biography, is Zaruski's writings in the form of descriptive-reflective poetry (for example his début Sonety morskie [Sea Sonnets], 1902), stories of reportage and adventurous character (Na morzach dalekich [On Far-Off Seas], 1920; Z harcerzami na „Zawiszy Czarnym” [With Scouts on "Zawisza Czarny"], 1937; Wśród wichrów i fal [Amid Winds and Waves], 1935) or even marine instructions (textbooks, maritime dictionaries). Most of the texts could count on readers sharing one of the author's passions. His literary works – not very original, because of being formally ectypal – include appealing autobiographical threads. Zaruski was born in Dumanowo in Podolia in a family with Polish-gentry traditions, and died in an NKVD prison hospital, probably on April 8, 1941 in Kherson. The place where the unusual fate of this extraordinary man was tragically fulfilled is located near Odessa (about 200 km away). In Odessa – let us repeat – Zaruski spent his youth. In 1885, he came to this dynamic port city, with his family orphaned by the father, to begin studies at the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics at the University of Odessa. In Zaruski's writings, Odessa is rarely mentioned, he refers more often to the topic of the sea.