"Forefathers' Eve" resounded in Nicosia. Poles in Cyprus joined the National Reading

The National Reading in Nicosia took place on Saturday, September 5, at the Latin House in the Old Town. Poles living on the island gathered to read Adam Mickiewicz's "Forefathers' Eve," this year's reading of the 15th edition of the nationwide event, which also takes place abroad.

The Cypriot edition was organized by the Polish Embassy in Nicosia and the "Malwa" Cultural Association of Poles in Cyprus. The event was attended by, among others, Polish Ambassador Marek Szczepanowski and Consul Jakub Budohoski, both of whom currently represent the Polish diplomatic mission in Nicosia.

Polish Word in Old Nicosia

The meeting began at 6:30 PM at the Latin House at Othellou 9. For one evening, this venue in the heart of Old Nicosia became part of an event taking place simultaneously in Poland and in many Polish communities abroad.

The National Reading has been organized since 2012. The first shared reading was "Pan Tadeusz" by Adam Mickiewicz. Since then, readings have included "The Doll," "Quo Vadis," "The Wedding," "Kordian," and last year, poetry by Jan Kochanowski. This year's edition was already 15th edition of the campaign.

Representatives of the island's Polish community and the Polish diplomatic mission met in Nicosia. The shared reading provided an opportunity to meet and maintain contact with the Polish language and culture thousands of kilometers away.

This year, "Forefathers' Eve" was read

This year's National Reading was devoted to Adam Mickiewicz's "Forefathers' Eve", primarily parts II and III of the drama.

These are two very different versions of the same work. Part II stems from the folk ritual of the forefathers' Eve and the story of an encounter between the living and the spirits of the dead. Part III has a much stronger historical and political dimension, recounting repression, the fight for freedom, and the experiences of young Poles subjected to persecution by the Tsarist authorities.

"Forefathers' Eve" holds a special place in the history of Polish culture. One of the most important productions was created in 1901 in Kraków, directed by Stanisław Wyspiański. In turn, the removal of a poster from Kazimierz Dejmek's performance at the National Theatre in 1968 was one of the impetus for the student protests of March '68.

CHECK ALSO
Before the event, we wrote about the program of the Cypriot edition of the National Reading:
https://cyprnews.pl/dziady-mickiewicza-w-nikozji-polacy-spotkaja-sie-na-narodowym-czytaniu/

Nicosia was one of many places in the world

The main event of the 15th edition took place that same day at Adam Mickiewicz Square on Krakowskie Przedmieście Street in Warsaw. Mayor Karol Nawrocki and First Lady Marta Nawrocka attended.

From the outset, the idea of National Reading has transcended Poland's borders. Schools, libraries, cultural institutions, social organizations, and Polish communities around the world are welcome to join the initiative.

It is in this context that the event in Nicosia has particular significance. Literature becomes a way to maintain community and contact with the Polish language, even when participants are thousands of kilometers away from Poland.

We already know what will be read in 2027

During Saturday's event in Warsaw, the next edition was also announced.

The 2027 National Reading will be devoted to Joseph Conrad's "Lord Jim".

This selection is particularly interesting from the perspective of the Polish diaspora. Joseph Conrad, born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski, spent most of his adult life outside Poland and wrote in English, becoming one of the most distinguished writers in English-language literature.

If the Cypriot tradition of National Reading continues, next year Poles on the island will have the opportunity to meet again to read together – this time "Lord Jim".

Sources: Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland, Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Nicosia