Polish writer Olga Tokarczuk has recently gained widespread recognition, particularly in English-speaking countries, after being awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. Here are 10 fascinating facts about this talented author that you might not know.
1. Hailing from Sulechów
Olga Tokarczuk was born in the historic town of Sulechów, located in Lower Silesia. The town has seen numerous changes throughout its existence, including being ruled by the Silesian Piasts and later being returned to Poland in 1945 after the implementation of the Oder—Neisse line.
2. A Background in Psychology
Tokarczuk is a trained psychologist, having studied at the University of Warsaw. Before becoming a writer, she worked as a therapist.
3. Intrigued by Carl Jung
Tokarczuk has a deep fascination with Carl Jung, which continues to influence her writing. Jung, a Swiss psychoanalyst, is known for concepts such as Jungian archetypes, the collective unconscious, and extraversion and introversion.
4. Life in Krajanów
Currently, Tokarczuk resides in the small village of Krajanów in southwestern Poland, near the Czech border. In addition to her writing, she runs her own private publishing company.
5. An Unintentional Political Figure
Tokarczuk has become a political figure in Poland due to her left-wing feminist views, support for the environment, cultural diversity, and critical examination of history. This has put her at odds with the ruling Law and Justice Party.
6. Labeled a Traitor
At one point, Tokarczuk was called a “targowiczanin,” an old Polish term for traitor, after stating that Poland had been both oppressed and oppressor at various points in its history. This statement angered Polish right-wingers, and she had to be accompanied by bodyguards for a time due to safety concerns.
7. Environmental Views Clashing with Right-Wingers
Tokarczuk’s pro-environment views, which are closely tied to her feminist beliefs, have also put her at odds with Polish right-wingers. She is a vegetarian in her personal life, likely influenced by her political views.
8. Not a Supporter of Brexit
Tokarczuk has expressed her disapproval of Brexit, noting that Polish right-wingers celebrating the event are foolish, as Poles will be among the first victims of the process. Many Poles work and live in the United Kingdom and have been negatively affected by the uncertainties and anti-Polish sentiment in recent years.
9. Possibly the Less Controversial of the Two Newest Nobel Laureates
Interestingly, Tokarczuk may be the less controversial of the two most recent Nobel laureates for literature. The other laureate, Austrian Peter Handke, is a long-time supporter of Serbian leader and convicted war criminal Slobodan Milosevic.
10. A Surprising Choice for Some
The selection of Tokarczuk as a Nobel laureate surprised some observers, not due to her lack of merit, but because of recent statements by the Nobel Prize committee. The chair of the committee mentioned their previous “Eurocentric perspective on literature” and their intention to look further abroad, leading some to expect non-European winners.
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