Pola Gojawiczyńska, real name Apolonia Gojawiczyńska, née Koźniewska (1 April 1896 – 29 March 1963) was a Polish writer.

Biography

Early life

She was born in Warsaw as a daughter of a craftsman-carpenter. She studied in a public school but was expelled in 1905 after school strike. In 1914 her family relocated to

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. Apolonia left alone on her own started to work as a teacher in kindergartens, libraries and amateur theatres in Warsaw and vicinities. She sent her first writing drafts to Gabriela Zapolska and gained her approval. During

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

she was active in the independence movement and was a member of Polish Military Organisation. Her first work was a short story ''Dwa fragmenty'' (Two Fragments), for which she was awarded by ''Echo Pragi'' magazine in 1915.

Literary progress

In 1920 she married Stanisław Gojawiczyński, and year later gave birth to daughter Wanda. Until 1926 lived in

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and worked in local administration. In 1931 Gojawiczyńska moved to Szarlej (currently neighbourhood of Piekary Śląskie). At that time Zofia Nałkowska read her short story ''Dzieciństwo'' (Childhood) and ensured her

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of National Culture Fund. In 1932 she published more works and began cooperation with '' Gazeta Polska''.

During World War II

Gojawiczyńska spent

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

near Warsaw. In 1943 she was arrested and jailed in Pawiak prison in the section for women ''Serbia''. She described her experience of that time in memories ''Krata''. She was released from the prison as very ill, treated in the Saint Joseph Hospital. After the war she moved to

Łódź Łódź is a city in central Poland and a former industrial centre. It is the capital of Łódź Voivodeship, and is located south-west of Warsaw. Łódź has a population of 655,279, making it the country's List of cities and towns in Polan ...

. She died on 29 March 1963 and is buried at Powązki Cemetery in Warsaw.

Summary

Pola Gojawiczyńska was one of the most popular women writers of the Polish literature of interwar period. Her works included psychological themes and social themes connected with proletarian and small town environment of

Warsaw Warsaw, officially the Capital City of Warsaw, is the capital and List of cities and towns in Poland, largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the Vistula, River Vistula in east-central Poland. Its population is officially estimated at ...

and Silesia. Her works ''Dziewczęta z Nowolipek'' (Girls from Nowolipki) and ''Rajska jabłoń'' (Heavenly Apple tree) were later filmed. Gojawiczyńska was awarded Golden Cross of Merit and received award of the city of Warsaw for lifetime achievement, Commander's Cross of Polonia Restituta and Golden Badge of the Warsaw Renewal. She also received the Order of the Banner of Labour, 1st Class.

Works

* ''Joanna'' (1930) * ''Ucieczka'' (1930) * ''Górnoślązaczka'' (1932) * ''Powszedni dzień'' (1933) * ''Ziemia Elżbiety'' (1934) * ''Dziewczęta z Nowolipek'' (1935) * ''Rozmowy z milczeniem'' (1936) * ''Rajska jabłoń'' (1937) * ''Dwoje ludzi'' (1938) * ''Słupy ogniste'' (1938) * ''Krata'' (1945) * ''Stolica'' (1946) * ''Dom na skarpie'' (1947) * ''Miłość Gertrudy'' (1956) * ''Opowiadania'' (1956) * ''Stolica'' (1964) * ''Z serca do serca'' (1971) * ''Szybko zapomniane'' (1974)

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Gojawiczynska, Pola 1896 births 1963 deaths Writers from Warsaw Burials at Powązki Cemetery Polish women writers Polish Military Organisation members Polish people of World War I Commanders of the Order of Polonia Restituta Recipients of the Gold Cross of Merit (Poland) Recipients of the Order of the Banner of Work 20th-century Polish women Recipients of the Medal of the 10th Anniversary of the People's Republic of Poland