Wrocław Branch of Polish Sociological Association (PSA), The Section of Rural and Agriculture Sociology of PSA and Institute of Sociology of the University of Wrocław in a cooperation with Wrocław Institute of Culture are inviting to another meeting within cycle of SocioPerception: SocioPerception vol. 38 | How did our grandmas lived? – conversation about a book “Chłopki. Opowieść o naszych babkach”. The meeting will take place solely intramurally on 17th of January (Wednesday) at 18:00 in Recepcja at ul. Ruska 46 in Wrocław.
Interlocutresses:
Joanna Kuciel-Frydryszak – a graduate of Polish Studies of the University of Wrocław, a writer. The author of Antoni Słonimski’s biography „Słonimski. Heretyk na ambionie” (W.A.B. 2012), Kazimiera Iłłakiwiczówna „Iłła” (Marginesy, 2017) as well as a bestselling, first ever in Poland book about Polish servants “Służące do wszystkiego” (Marginesy, 2018). In the newest book “Chłopki. Opowieść o naszych babkach” (Marginesy, 2023), she gives a voice to rural women.
Dr Małgorzata Dziekanowska – a doctor, an agricultural sociologist of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, her research interests concentrate on feminine agricultural organizations (pl. wiejskie organizacje kobiece) and the role of women in development of local societies. Co-editor of a Modern Culture entitled “Kobieta i wieś” no. 4/2021. Currently, research project is in production about the immigrant crisis regarding the invasion of Russia towards Ukraine.
Maintence and discussion:
Dr inż. Barbara Szczepańska, sociologist, assistant professor of the Department of Urban and Rural Sociology of the University of Wrocław
For many years, we’ve been observing literature’s popularity regarding folk history. It happens because of countless reasons – the most significant seems to be the fact that in the dominant narratives, mainly describing the elites of the past, a large part of contemporary society can’t find itself. This situation concerns especially women which in history hadn’t had much freedom. Joanna Kuciel-Frydszak once again gave the voice to those who usually had no right to say anything. The starting point for conversation will be her book “Chłopi. Opowieść o naszych babkach”, in which the author presents everyday toil, fears and dreams of three generations of rural women in an artistic way. This lecture shows their enormous strength, boundless devotion to family but also a desire to change and unequal battle about themselves in a patriarchal society.
A huge asset of publication are impressive sources (such as peasant diaries, press, conversation with descendants of protagonists), as well as multitude of raised subjects (education, job, setting up, labour migration, the process of modernizing village, culinary and many, many more).
During the meeting, we’ll try to find the answers to questions such as: Why it is not proper to write about rular ancestors? Which strategies ensured the life success of protagonists? In which way was concern and affection expressed in rular societies? What does peasant identity currently mean?
We sincerely invite you!
With new year’s greetings!
Translated by Wiktoria Dybek (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
