Tomasz Krzyżowski

Z dziejów przyjaźni polsko-ormiańskiej

Introduction

Z dziejów przyjaźni polsko-ormiańskiej. Odkryj historię Marii Grocholskiej (1917-1989), kluczowej postaci w polsko-ormiańskich relacjach kulturalnych. Poznaj jej pracę jako tłumaczki i orędowniczki języka ormiańskiego w czasach radzieckich.

Abstract

FROM THE HISTORY OF POLISH-ARMENIAN FRIENDSHIP: THE CASE OF MARIA GROCHOLSKA (1917-1989) Maria Grocholska (1917-1989) played a significant role in Polish-Armenian cultural relations during the Soviet era. Born in St. Petersburg to a Polish family, she studied Russian philology and Armenian philology in Leningrad. Her studies continued in Yerevan from 1940 to 1945, and from 1945 to 1948 she worked there as Professor Gurgen Sewak’s assistant. After abandoning the completion of her doctoral studies, she worked in primary and secondary schools in Armenia, where she taught Russian and Armenian. From 1955 to 1960, she taught Russian at the Academy of Theology in Etchmiadzin. She was a fervent advocate of the Armenian language during the Russification era. In 1962, she translated into Armenian Bohdan Gębarski’s essay on the Armenian genocide in the Ottoman Empire, titled List do starego tureckiego znajomego [A Letter to an Old Turkish Acquaintance], which resonated widely in Armenia. She also translated several literary works by Polish authors into Armenian, including Stanisław Lem’s well-known novel Solaris. She moved to Poland in 1969, where she taught Russian at a high school in Grodzisk Mazowiecki and assisted Bohdan Gębarski in translating literature from Armenian. Grocholska died in Warsaw. In March 1989, a solemn memorial service was held in Etchmiadzin in her honor performed by Catholicos Vazgen I.

Review

This paper, titled "Z dziejów przyjaźni polsko-ormiańskiej" (From the History of Polish-Armenian Friendship), promises a fascinating exploration of an understudied aspect of international cultural relations, particularly during the Soviet era. By focusing on the life and contributions of Maria Grocholska (1917-1989), the abstract indicates a biographical approach that effectively illuminates broader historical and cultural dynamics between Poland and Armenia. The choice of Grocholska, a figure deeply embedded in both Polish and Armenian intellectual circles, offers a unique lens through which to examine cross-cultural exchange, intellectual solidarity, and the challenges of cultural preservation amidst the pressures of Russification. The emphasis on her significant role as a linguist, educator, and translator highlights the personal dedication often required to sustain such connections. The abstract details several key contributions by Maria Grocholska that underscore the importance of this study. Her academic journey in Russian and Armenian philology in Leningrad and Yerevan, followed by her teaching roles, including at the Academy of Theology in Etchmiadzin, showcase a profound commitment to Armenian culture and language. Particularly notable is her fervent advocacy for Armenian during a period of intense Russification and her seminal translation of Bohdan Gębarski’s essay on the Armenian genocide, which reportedly "resonated widely." This act of intellectual and moral solidarity is a crucial detail, demonstrating how individuals can bridge political divides through cultural work. Her further translations of Polish literary works, including Stanisław Lem’s *Solaris*, into Armenian, and her later role in assisting Gębarski with Armenian translations in Poland, confirm her pivotal function as a cultural conduit between the two nations. Overall, this paper appears to be a valuable contribution to the fields of Central and Eastern European studies, Armenian studies, translation studies, and intellectual history. By meticulously tracing the life and impact of Maria Grocholska, the author provides a compelling narrative of individual agency and cultural diplomacy in a complex geopolitical landscape. The abstract strongly suggests that the full paper will offer rich insights into the mechanics of cultural exchange during the Soviet period, the challenges faced by minority cultures, and the enduring power of personal connections in fostering international understanding. This appears to be a well-conceived and important biographical study that will undoubtedly enrich our understanding of Polish-Armenian relations.

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