Jan Rompski

(8.12.1913–30.12.1969)

translated by Sabina Szymikowska

Jan Rompski was born in Kartuzy. After finishing primary school he studied typography. He passed his secondary school certificate exams in Poznań without having attended the course. He worked in education in Wielkopolska, where Trepczyk was working as a teacher at that time. From 1938 to 1939 he was the director of a social welfare unit in Wejherowo. Soon after establishing The Regional Teacher Association in 1929, he joined in and from 1933 published his texts in Zrzësz Kaszëbskô. In 1938 he was shortly its editor-in-chief. In 1939, as a Polish soldier he was taken captive by the Germans. He later worked as a baker’s assistant, railwayman and as a worker. In 1931 he joined Tajna Organizacja Wojskowa „Gryf Pomorski“ (Underground Military Organisation „The Pomeranian Griffin“). Rompski was arrested by the Gestapo and sent to the concentration camp in Stutthof. After the war he resumed work for Zrzësz Kaszëbskô, where from 1945 to 1946 he was the editor of the supplement Chëcz. At the same time, he was studying ethnography in Toruń. His master’s thesis concerned Smãtk, the Kashubian devil. After graduating in 1949, Rompski carried out archaeological research into the early history of Poland. From 1950 he worked for the Regional Group Gdańsk at the State Art Institute, whose aim was to collect pieces of Kashubian folk music. After a year, he went on to work in The Pomeranian Museum in Toruń, first as a curator and then as the administrative director. In 1960 he was promoted to director of the department of science and education. In 1965 – 1967 Rompski was the curator of the Museum in Grudziądz and later, he became the director of the department of regional architecture at the Ethnographic Museum in Toruń. He was one of the founder members of the Kashubian-Pomeranian Association in 1956. He died shortly before being awarded a PhD degree for his work on Kashubian mythology.

He made his debut with the poem Czej in Zrzësz Kaszebskô in 1933. His poems were printed in Zrzësz Kaszëbskô, Chëcz, Kaszëbë and in the Newsletter of the Kashubian-Pomeranian Association (later Pomerania). Apart from poetry, Zrzësz Kaszebskô printed also passages of his dramas. Kaszëbë printed his poems and articles on the Kashubian folk art. Three Rompski’s poems were included in Kaszëbsczi Piesniôk, a collection of Kashubian songs by Jan Trepczyk and in the anthologies Ma jesma òd mòrza (1963), Antologia współczesnej poezji ludowej (1967), Wybór współczesnej poezji kaszubskiej (1967), Pogłosy ziemi (1971), Piaśnica (1971), Kaschubische Anthologie (1973), Modra struna (1973), Westrzód dôczi (1977). Also, his texts were printed in the collection of poems Do Pamiãtnika released on the occasion of Reverend Franciszek Grucza’s first celebrated mass.

Most of his prose works haven’t been published, except for the passages from his autobiographic novel Ùrwónô spiéwa, which he started writing in 1943. His short stories Wiktór (Chëcz 1946), Gbùrstwò (Chëcz 1946), Anka (Chëcz 1946), Lasowô krowa (Pomerania 1976) were printed in episodes. Only part of his short story Znak was printed in Chëcz (1946). W drôpce złégò still remains in manuscript. Rompski is also the author of the dramas Wzénik Arkònë (Zrzësz Kaszëbskô 1938-39), Jiwer òstatnëch ( Pomerania 1977) and the short dramas for amateur theatres Gãsy ùd, Jich tragedie, Lelek, Lepszé chëcze, Pan w okularach, Pòrénk, Reknica, Roztrãbarch, Scynanié kani, Za zemiã (in manuscript) and Jô chcã na swiat (printed in 1987). His vaudeville Òżniwinë with music composed by Jan Trepczyk was printed in Zrzësz Kaszëbskô in 1947. Rompski is also the author of the radio drama and the dissertation Ścinanie kani. Kaszubski zwyczaj ludowy (Toruń 1973).

The collections of Rompski’s poems Pòmión zwònów (1970) and Wiérztë (1980). were released after his death. Most of his works still remain in manuscript.

His works have been translated into German.

Rompski was awarded the Silver Cross of Merit.

He wrote under the pseudonyms : R., I-r, Rąbiók, Rãbiok.

Stanisław Pestka

(Jón Zbrzëca)

(8.04.1929)

translated by Sabina Szymikowska

Stanisław Pestka was born in Rolbik, near Chojnice. He attended a secondary school in Kościerzyna, which he finished in 1950. Then, from 1950 to 1953 he studied Polish language and literature at the University of Poznań. After graduating Pestka worked as a secondary school teacher in Lidzbark Warmiński and Slawno. At the same time, he wote articles for many magazines. From 1958 to 1961 he was a co-editor of Kaszëbë and after it closed down, Pestka moved to Bydgoszcz, where he worked for Ilustrowany Kurier Polski (The Illustrated Polish Daily) as an executive editor of the cultural section. In 1965, Pestka moved to Szczecin, where he worked for the Polish Radio. After two years, he moved back to Bydgoszcz and worked for Fakty i Myśli (Facts and Thoughts), a magazine for young people. In 1968 he was became the executive editor of the cultural section in Litery (The Letters). After this magazine was closed down, Pestka moved to Czas (The Time). In 1969 he started work in Pomerania where in 1969 -1979 and 1990-1994 he held the post of an editor-in-chief.

Pestka’s works were influenced by Jan Karnowski. His language is difficult, sophisticated and full of aphorisms, archaisms and neologisms. His metaphors are considered to be quite daring.

In his works he combines Kashubian motifs with the universal Mediterranean traditions. Pestka made his debut in Pomerania in 1969. His first collection of poems, Pòłudnica, published in 1976 was hailed by Jan Drzeżdżon as the greatest event in the Kashubian literature since the times of Derdowski and Heyke. Pestka’s poems were also collected in Wizrë ë duchë (1986) and Wieczórny widnik (2002). Some of his poems can be found in the anthologies Piaśnica (1971), Modra struna (1973) and Westrzód dôczi (1977). His two books Piórem i szablą (1961) and Emisariusz niepodległości (1972), about Józef Wybicki were written in Polish.

Pestka wrote his articles under the pseudonym Krëban z Milachòwa, and poetry under the pen name Jan Zbrzyca.

Antoni Pepliński

(1918-1995)

translated by Sabina Szymikowska

Antoni Pepliński was born in Wielki Klińcz in 1918. As a young boy, he lived in Lyśniewko near Sierakowice, where he attended primary school. In 1931 to 1939 he learnt at gimnasium in Kościerzyna. During the Second World War he worked on his parents’ farm. After the war, Pepliński studied theology in Pelplin and in 1951 he took holy orders. He served as a curate in Pawłowo near Chojnice and from 1959 as a parish priest in Czarnowo near Toruń.

He made his debut in Chëcz in 1946. His poems were printed in Kaszëbë and Pomerania

.

Most of his poems still remain in manuscripts. Some of them were published in the anthologies Ma jesma òd mòrza (1963), Wybór współczesnej poezji kaszubskiej (1967), Kaschubische Anthologie (1973), Modra struna (1973).

His own collection of poems came under the title Niech szëmi las in 1973.

Antoni Pepliński was also a composer and his songs have been adapted by Kashubian folk groups. His compositions, 131 songs, were collected in Mòje spiéwë.

He set up a singing circle, later called Di-dana, performing in Kashubia and abroad. Antoni Pepliński is the author of Kashubian Christmas carols and the Kashubian Christmas play Kaszëbsczé jasełka (1987). In 1988 he published the collection of Kashubian songs Kaszëbë wòłają nas. His only works in the Polish language are dramas.

Marian Selin

(16.05.1937)

Translated by Sabina Szymikowska

Marian Selin was born in Jastarnia. He finished a music school and the Choreography and Ballet School in Gdańsk in 1966. He worked for the Regional Community Centre in Puck and for the fishing cooperative in Władysławowo as a choreographer. In the 1960s he arranged Kashubian songs for the big-beat band Sami from Gdańsk. He is the curator of a museum in Jastarnia called the fishermen’s house.

He made his debut in Litery in 1969 with the poem Mój bôcyk.

Later, two collections of his poems were published: Kaszubski kwiat (1982) and Niech wiater niese piesń (1996). His poems were also printed in the anthologies Wiersze proste jak życie (1966), Wybór współczesnej poezji kaszubskiej (1967), Antologia współczesnej poezji ludowej (1967), Modra struna (1973) and with musical accompaniment in Tobie, Boże chwała by Reverend Jan Perszon.

The reason why Selin’s poems resemble folk songs is that he wrote with the idea that his poetry should be sung. What is more, he often composes his own music for the poems. Marian Selin is also the author of the three-act spectacle Broduzë, which was first staged in 1957. His other dramas still remain in manuscripts.

Selin is a member of a folk artists association.

Stanisłôw Pestka

(ps. Jan Zbrzyca)

[Stanisław Pestka]

(ùr. 1929)

Ùrodzył sã 8 łżëkwiata 1929 r. w Rólbikù (chòjnicczi pòwiôt). Tam téż, do 1939 r., chòdzył do spòdleczny szkòłë. Òd 1945 r. ùcził sã w gimnazjum m. gen. J. Wëbicczégò w Kòscérznie, dze w 1950 r. złożił maturalny egzamin. W latach 1950-1953 sztudérowôł pòlonistikã na Ùniwersytece Adama Mickiewicza w Pòznanim, a pòtemù robił jakno szkólny we strzédnëch szkòłach, nôpierwi w Lidzbarkù Warmińsczim (1953-55), pózni w Słôwnie (1955-58). Ju tej pisôł do rozmajitëch cządników. W latach 1958-61 béł w redakcji pismiona Kaszëbë, pò chtërnégò zamkniãcym przecygnął do Bëdgòszczë, dze czerowôł kùlturalnym dzélã Ilustrowanego Kuriera Polskiego. W 1965 r. P. zamieszkôł w Szczecënie, dze robił w Pòlsczim Radiu. Pò dwùch latach wrócył nazôd do Bëdgòszczë, dze nalôzł zajãcé w młodzëznowim cządnikù Fakty i Myśli. W 1968 r. wszedł do redakcji gduńsczich Liter. Pò zamkniãcym negò cządnika, przeszedł nôpierwi do Tygodnika Morskiego, a pòtemù do Czasu. Òd 1969 r. je w redakcyjnym kòlegium Pomeranii, a w cządach 1969-72 ë 1990-94 prowadzył no pismiono. W latach 1976-1980 ë 1992-1994 béł przédnikã Kaszëbskò-Pòmòrsczégò Zrzeszeniô, pózni, pò 1994 r., jesz pôrã lat dzejôł w przédnictwie ny òrganizacji.

Òd zôczątkù 1995 r. P. je na emeriturze. Terô zajimô sã swòjim lëteracczim ùtwórstwã.

Jakno pòeta P. zadebiutowôł w Pomeranii w 1969 r. Tam téż drëkòwôł, pisóné pò kaszëbskù, felietónë.

Dotądka wëdôł trzë zbiérczi wiérztów (wszëtczé pò kaszëbskù): Południca (1976), Wizrë ë duchë (1986) ë Wieczórny widnik (2002). Jegò pòeticczé dokôzë mòżna téż nalezc w antologiach m.jin. W. Czedrowsczégò Piaśnica (1971), É. Kamińsczégò Westrzód doczi (1977), B. Arsobë ë J. Bòrzëszkòwsczégò Pomorze i morze w poezji (1998). P. béł téż w karnie, co zrëchtowało Modrą strunę. Antologię poezji kaszubskiej (1973).

W pùblicysticznym doróbkù P. je wiele artiklów tikającëch sprôw Pòmòrzégò ë Kaszëb. Dwa z nich òstałë téż wëdrëkòwóné w zrëchtowónëch bez E. Szczesaka zbiérkach repòrtażów: Suita kaszubska (1982) ë Opowieść o trwaniu Kaszub (1985).

P. mô téż napisóné dwa biograficzné ksążkòwé dokôzë: Piórem i szablą. O generale Józefie Wybickim (1961) ë Emisariusz niepodległości. O Józefie Wybickim (1972), ë jeden analiticzny Stan i perspektywy pamiętnikarstwa na Pomorzu (1971). Wszëtczé ne są pò pòlskù.

Wëdôł téż rozwôżania ò kaszëbsczi jinteligencji jegò czasów, zatitlowóné W kręgu kaszubskiego kaduceusza (1983).

P. òstôł ùtczony wieloma ùhònorowaniama, z czegò wôżniejszima są: Medal Stolema (1975), Pieczęć Świętopełka Klasy Złotej (nadôwô kapituła K-PZ), Medal m. Gùlgòwsczich (przezna Rada Stowôrë Lëdowëch Ùtwórców partu gduńsczégò).

Felietónë P. pisôł pòd pseudonimã Krëban z Milachowa, w ùtwórstwie pòeticczim ùżiwô przezëstka Jan Zbrzyca.