NATIONAL READING

About the event

The Public Library in the Wawer District, together with the Wawer Cultural Center, invites you to Międzylesie for the National Reading of Jan Kochanowski's poetry. The protagonist of this year's edition of Poland's largest reading campaign is known primarily for his outstanding literary achievements. Today, Jan Kochanowski is recognized not only as the greatest poet but also as the father of the Polish Renaissance. The artist wrote numerous and diverse works in line with the best Renaissance models and introduced new genres to Polish literature, contributing to the development of the Polish literary language. However, Jan Kochanowski, well-educated both in Poland and abroad, experienced in Europe and royal courts, was also very active in many other areas of political and social life. A true Renaissance man – a talented and prolific poet, translator, royal secretary, landowner, clergyman (formerly enjoying the life of a courtier), traveler, friend of influential and prominent figures of the era, active political activist, loving husband, and father. During the National Reading in Wawer, through workshops, competitions, games, and activities, we will revisit the Poet's most important works, share the most interesting (and lesser-known) facts about his life, and refresh knowledge about the Renaissance. We invite children, teenagers, and adults to the Wawer Library and Wawer Cultural Center in Międzylesie at Żegańska Street 1 for a day with Jan Kochanowski. 📅 The program includes: - 14:00-15:30 Theater improvisation workshops based on Jan Kochanowski's works. Classes for teenagers 15+ and adults. Registration required at [email protected] - 15:30 Collective reading of Jan Kochanowski's poetry on the small stage of WCK with actors from the Falenica Theater named after Szczepan Szczykno, operating within the Wawer Cultural Center Falenica Branch. - 16:15 Theatrical scenes (improvisations) based on Jan Kochanowski's works on the small stage of WCK. - 16:30 The other side of Kochanowski – a talk by writer Marcin Przewoźniak for people aged 18+. Workshops, games, activities, competitions, and animations 14:00-17:30: For younger participants: - "Fraszkownia" – fun with creating simple rhymes. - Poet's Coat of Arms – art activities creating simple coats of arms using symbols from Jan Kochanowski's works and the Renaissance. - Renaissance Fashion – cutouts and dress-ups from the era. We create paper outfits for Jan, Dorota, Hanka, and Urszulka Kochanowski. - "Feather and Shoe" – easy coloring pages for the youngest participants. For older participants: - Quiz "Is it an epigram or not?" – guessing whether a given work is an epigram by Jan Kochanowski. - Composing Laments – a literary game matching words and phrases. - Educational city game "The Dismissal of the Greek Envoys" for high school students and all interested. - Computer test on Renaissance knowledge. - "Is it so?" – translating archaisms into contemporary Polish. - Urszulka challenge – breaking the record for borrowing children's books. We invite younger participants with parents to borrow children's publications. Every newly registered reader and person borrowing a children's book will receive a gift. - Prize contest "Wheel of Fortune": spin the wheel and answer simple literary and historical questions. Between questions, there are bonuses – free prizes. - Relaxation in Czarnolas style – a linden corner for resting and enjoying herbal infusions. Renaissance games and activities: - Playing chess, checkers, dice, and mora. - "Man with a Beard" – Renaissance dress-up: every participant, regardless of gender and age, who wears the library's Jan Kochanowski beard and takes a photo will receive a gift. Participants with their own beards are welcome:) - Dancing to music from the era. We warmly invite you! Free admission! The project is funded by the Wawer District of the City of Warsaw.