Talk | Singing the News – on songs of recent happenings | Piotr Wawrzykiewicz | The Summer School of Tradition

News songs, or pieśni nowiniarskie in Polish, represent a relatively understudied branch of current literature. They are rarely included in anthologies, and when they are, they are often presented without any context or connection to the event that inspired their creation. In many cases, it is difficult to determine the exact event that gave rise to a particular song, as the lyrics often lack specific names or locations.

However, when we do encounter these songs, they offer a fascinating glimpse into the minds of the ingenious publishers and audiences of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These songs encompass a wide range of themes, from idyllic rural life to catastrophic events, from bloodshed to the innocent eyes of children.  They provide a unique window into the crimes, miracles, and wonders that captured the public imagination during that era.

Join us as we delve into the world of news songs with Piotr Wawrzkiewicz, a multi-talented musician, collector, and researcher of songbooks and broadsides featuring these songs. Mr. Wawrzkiewicz, a recipient of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage scholarship for promoting cultural dissemination (2019)  is dedicated to promoting knowledge about indulgences printed with songs. He is also the creator of the project “Pieśni za grosze” (Songs for a Penny). 

https://www.facebook.com/Piesnizagrosze.

The event is part of the Summer School of Tradition  2024. The Summer School of Tradition is organised by the Kultura Enter Foundation. The project is supported by the City of Lublin.