Lesław Bartelski was a Polish writer, perhaps best known for his work, Warsaw Ghetto Thermopolye and his novel The Blood-stained Wings.

Early life

Bartelski was born in 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...

, where he spent most of his life. During World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, he was member of the Polish resistance (1941–1945), fighting against Nazi occupation. During the war, he wrote for the underground magazine Sztuka i Naród

Sztuka i Naród

Sztuka i Naród was a Polish monthly published covertly in Warsaw, occupied Poland during World War II. It was supported by the resistance group Konfederacja Narodu. It was published from April 1942 to Warsaw Uprising in August 1944. 16 issues were published...

(Art and Nation), beginning his literary career. In 1944, as a member of the Home Army

Armia Krajowa

The Armia Krajowa , or Home Army, was the dominant Polish resistance movement in World War II German-occupied Poland. It was formed in February 1942 from the Związek Walki Zbrojnej . Over the next two years, it absorbed most other Polish underground forces...

 he fought in the Warsaw Uprising

Warsaw Uprising

The Warsaw Uprising was a major World War II operation by the Polish resistance Home Army , to liberate Warsaw from Nazi Germany. The rebellion was timed to coincide with the Soviet Union's Red Army approaching the eastern suburbs of the city and the retreat of German forces...

.

Literary career

After the war, Bartelski studied law at Warsaw University, and began a writing career. He was active in a large number of organizations, including Polish Writer's Association (where he served as the Chair of its Warsaw branch from 1972 to 1978). Over his career, he won numerous awards for his work, including the Prize of Minister of Defense (2nd class) in 1969, Pietrzak Prize in 1969 and 1985, Warsaw Prize in 1969, Prize of Minister Culture and Art (1st class) in 1977, Prize of president of Warsaw in 1990 and Reymont Prize in 1988

Publications

• • 1951 – Ludzie zza rzeki (People Behind the River)
  • 1958 – Pejzaż dwukrotny (Double Landscape)
  • 1962 – Złota mahmudija (Golden Mahmudiha)
  • 1968 – Dialog z cieniem (Dialogue with a Shadow)
  • 1973 – Niedziela bez dzwonów (Sunday without Bells)
  • 1975 – Krwawe skrzydła (The Blood-stained Wings)
  • 1978 – Rajski ogród (The Garden of Eden)