Mieczysław Jastrun w Łodzi 1931–1939

Abstract

The paper discusses the inter-war Łódź stage in the biography and work of Mieczysław Jastrun, which forms a part of a broader first period of the writer’s activities (1923–1941). The author of the text, based on source materials and historical documents, reconstructs the sources of the contemporary world-view of Jastrun, characterises philosophical inspirations of the poet and the feeling of threat by fascism (short story “Civitas Diaboli”), as well as the moment of his left-wing ideological turn, including consequences of Marxist reflections. The paper also focuses on the contemporary social relations of the author of Dzieje nieostygłe [History Is Cooling Down], presents Jastrun’s critical opinion of the Łódź literary milieu and some of its initiatives (e.g. the Wymiary [Dimensions] magazine), as well as sketches the image of Łódź as a juggernaut-city of the 1930s, manifested in the poems and the prose of the writer, and combines it with the contemporary personal stance of Jastrun (professional work, marriage to Krystyna Bilska, friendship with painter Karol Hiller).