Władysław Syrokomla i misja przywracania kulturze polskiej łacińskojęzycznej twórczości poetów i pisarzy epoki zygmuntowskiej

Abstract

Numerous biographies of Władysław Syrokomla hardly address the issue of his accomplishments as a historian, literary historian and a translator, focusing predominantly on his original works as a writer. Syrokomla, however, wanted to serve the country, placing social interest above his own fame. A man of science, an intellectual, a poet and a social activist, Syrokomla always concentrated his efforts on seeking the Virtue and the Truth – from „Notatka o Nieświeżu” written for Michał Baliński in 1844 through his activity in Vilnius Archaelogical Commission (since 1856) till his death. In the period between 1846 and 1855, however, Syrokomla ardently supported the mission of restoring the presence of Latin-language works of the Renaissance poets and writers in the Polish culture. He began with six volumes of Przekłady poetów polsko-łacińskich epoki Zygmuntowskiej, and continued his pursuits in with Dzieje literatury w Polsce (successfully managing to somehow include the Latin writings into the Polish literary canon), to finally take part in a collaborative project of translating the chronicles written in Latin by „Dziejopisy krajowe” (arch.: national chroniclers). Syrokomla himself was deeply convinced that he would be remembered as a translator rather than as a writer. Contrary to his expectations, today his translations arouse relatively little interest; as a translator, Syrokomla is appreciated mostly for being a forerunner than for his technical and artistic virtuosity.