Janusz Szpotański
Encyclopedia
Janusz Szpotański, (born January 12 1929, Warsaw
, died October 13 2001, Warsaw) was a Polish poet, satirist, critic, translator, literary theorist and chess player
(a three times chess champion of Warsaw
, he also held a nationwide title of Master
).
He was the creator of satirical tragi-comedic
poems which ridiculed the communist government of Poland. These works were often written in an absurdist
, grotesque style, and specifically lampooned prominent members of the Polish communist party
, as well as the general "low life" mentality of the average Communist Party
member.
He is best known for creating the character of "Towarzysz Szmaciak" (literally: Comrade Dishrag, but idiom
atically Comrade Cretin or Comrade Scumbag
) - an uneducated, dull, cynical, sadistic, anti-semitic and stupid individual who supported the communist party out of opportunistic, not ideological motives. The metaphor of a "dishrag" alludes to the fact that these kind of individuals, while forming the support base of communism in Poland at the time, where considered useful by the party elite (much like a dishrag is necessary to clean up dirt) but at the same time despised by them (since the dishrag itself is dirty). For ridiculing Władysław Gomułka in his poem "Cisi i gęgacze" (The Silent and the Blabbers) he was arrested in 1967 and in 1968 sentenced to three years in prison on the charge of "spreading information harmful to the interests of state". During the March events of 1968, Gomułka referred to him in several of his official speeches, calling him "a man with a mentality of a pimp" and referring to his work as "reactionary doggerel" which "breathed with poisonous sadistic venom against our (communist) authority".
Szpotański was a member of the Stowarzyszenie Pisarzy Polskich
(Union of Polish Writers).
On September 23, 2006, he was posthumously awarded the Polonia Restituta
Commander's Cross by the President of Poland, Lech Kaczyński
.
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
, died October 13 2001, Warsaw) was a Polish poet, satirist, critic, translator, literary theorist and chess player
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
(a three times chess champion of Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
, he also held a nationwide title of Master
Chess master
A chess master is a chess player of such skill that he/she can usually beat chess experts, who themselves typically prevail against most amateurs. Among chess players, the term is often abbreviated to master, the meaning being clear from context....
).
He was the creator of satirical tragi-comedic
Tragicomedy
Tragicomedy is fictional work that blends aspects of the genres of tragedy and comedy. In English literature, from Shakespeare's time to the nineteenth century, tragicomedy referred to a serious play with either a happy ending or enough jokes throughout the play to lighten the mood.-Classical...
poems which ridiculed the communist government of Poland. These works were often written in an absurdist
Absurdism
In philosophy, "The Absurd" refers to the conflict between the human tendency to seek value and meaning in life and the human inability to find any...
, grotesque style, and specifically lampooned prominent members of the Polish communist party
Gomulka
Gomułka may refer to:* Stanisław Gomułka, a Polish economist* Władysław Gomułka , Polish communist leader* Gomułka thaw or Polish October, transitional period in Polish political history...
, as well as the general "low life" mentality of the average Communist Party
Polish United Workers' Party
The Polish United Workers' Party was the Communist party which governed the People's Republic of Poland from 1948 to 1989. Ideologically it was based on the theories of Marxism-Leninism.- The Party's Program and Goals :...
member.
He is best known for creating the character of "Towarzysz Szmaciak" (literally: Comrade Dishrag, but idiom
Idiom
Idiom is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is comprehended in regard to a common use of that expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made...
atically Comrade Cretin or Comrade Scumbag
Scumbag
Scumbag can be:*A dysphemism for a contemptible person*A used condom*"Scumbag", a song performed by Green Day for the American Pie 2 soundtrack*Another word for an Irish scanger....
) - an uneducated, dull, cynical, sadistic, anti-semitic and stupid individual who supported the communist party out of opportunistic, not ideological motives. The metaphor of a "dishrag" alludes to the fact that these kind of individuals, while forming the support base of communism in Poland at the time, where considered useful by the party elite (much like a dishrag is necessary to clean up dirt) but at the same time despised by them (since the dishrag itself is dirty). For ridiculing Władysław Gomułka in his poem "Cisi i gęgacze" (The Silent and the Blabbers) he was arrested in 1967 and in 1968 sentenced to three years in prison on the charge of "spreading information harmful to the interests of state". During the March events of 1968, Gomułka referred to him in several of his official speeches, calling him "a man with a mentality of a pimp" and referring to his work as "reactionary doggerel" which "breathed with poisonous sadistic venom against our (communist) authority".
Szpotański was a member of the Stowarzyszenie Pisarzy Polskich
Stowarzyszenie Pisarzy Polskich
The Stowarzyszenie Pisarzy Polskich is a Polish Writers' Association, an organization of major Polish writers, poets, playwrights, critics and translators. SPP is a continuation of the Polish Writers Association, founded in 1920....
(Union of Polish Writers).
On September 23, 2006, he was posthumously awarded the Polonia Restituta
Polonia Restituta
The Order of Polonia Restituta is one of Poland's highest Orders. The Order can be conferred for outstanding achievements in the fields of education, science, sport, culture, art, economics, defense of the country, social work, civil service, or for furthering good relations between countries...
Commander's Cross by the President of Poland, Lech Kaczyński
Lech Kaczynski
Lech Aleksander Kaczyński was Polish lawyer and politician who served as the President of Poland from 2005 until 2010 and as Mayor of Warsaw from 2002 until 22 December 2005. Before he became a president, he was also a member of the party Prawo i Sprawiedliwość...
.
Works
- Cisi i gęgacze czyli bal u prezydenta, 1964
- Targowica czyli opera Gnoma (poświęcona obchodom milenijnym), 1966
- Ballada o cudzie na Woli: W Warszawie na Woli ukazał się duch Bieruta i sprzedawał kiełbasę po 26 zł za kilo, 1966
- Lament Wysokiego Dygnitarza, 1966
- Ballada o Lupaszcze, 1968
- Rozmowa z Kartoflami, 1968
- Gnomiada, 1976
- Caryca i Zwierciadlo, 1974
- Towarzysz Szmaciak, 1977
- Szmaciak w Mundurze, Czyli Wojna Pcimska, 1983
- Sen Towarzysza Szmaciaka, 1984
- Bania w Paryzu (Unfinished), 1974-1979