BRACIA JÓZEF I LESZEK DUNIN-BORKOWSCY A “ZIEWONIA”

Abstract

The article analyzes Slavophilic views and literary works of the brothers Józef and Leszek Dunin-Borkowski, related to the activities of the Lviv magazine “Zevonia”. The Borkowski brothers revived the Slavophile movement in Lviv in cooperation with A. Bielowski, L. Siemienski, S. Goszczynski, and D. Magnuszewski. The main mission of these authors is to return to folk images and motives, to preserve the folklore heritage of the Ukrainian and Polish peoples. We can trace the closeness of the lyrics to the older brother, Jozef Dunin-Borkowski, with poems by A. Bielowski, editor of the magazine “Zievonia”. However, Bielowski was more internally focused. Whereas J. Borkowski was alive and active by nature. During his years of study in Chernivtsi, he became acquainted with the Greek culture and learned their language, which influenced the historical context of his works. He translated Herodotus, Homer, Apollodorus and others. After the fire in Rzeszów, he initiated the release of the “Memorial Album” as a collection of costs for those affected by the fire. The poet died early and did not live to see this issue. Leszek Dunin-Borkowski (pseudo – L. Szczutkiewicz) wrote the poem “Greetings” in honor of his brother. He himself was more involved in writing poems. His famous poem “Parish” is known. His works are more numerous and were published in the form of the entire poetry volume. L. Borkowski’s style is mostly satirical and significantly different from the historical context of J. Borkowski’s poems. Although the poet had access to aristocratic houses and held high positions in the Sejm and Parliament, he constantly criticized the social system, namely specific rulers. Therefore, his works were received ambiguously – some accused him of lack of talent, others adored for courage and sharpness of the word. At the end of his life, he left literature and devoted himself to politics. Based on the analysis of the works of J. Dunin-Borkowski and L. Dunin-Borkowski, we can conclude that the poetry of the group “Zievonia” was distinguished by the purity of the language, closeness to the song, folk coloring and themes, immersion in ancient customs and traditions. Thus, J. Borkowski and L. Borkowski enriched the culture of the Ukrainian-Polish borderland.