Sarmatyzm, czyli o pewnym podstawowym problemie w badaniach kultury polskiej
Sarmatism is a concept with an exceptionally bad reputation; what is worse – there is a duality in it (it is something a bit embarrassing, and yet it also contains positive, or even valuable elements), which is very difficult for researchers to deal with. Sarmatism is not only “a cultural formati...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | deu |
| Published: |
Łódzkie Towarzystwo Naukowe
2020-09-01
|
| Series: | Meluzyna: dawna literatura i kultura |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.rcin.org.pl/publication/193629 |
| Summary: | Sarmatism is a concept with an exceptionally bad reputation; what is worse – there is a duality
in it (it is something a bit embarrassing, and yet it also contains positive, or even valuable
elements), which is very difficult for researchers to deal with. Sarmatism is not only “a cultural
formation developed at the end of the 19th century”, but it is an extremely important and permanent
element of our tradition. At the same time – in a sense, it was ultimately shaped in the
19th century, and not, as we commonly believe, in the 17th century. It is something very disturbing,
and this is precisely because of its specific “long life”. Adding my voice to this discussion
about our tradition, I must begin by answering the question: what is Sarmatism?
It should be recalled that Sarmatism is understood as: 1. a geographical and ethnographic concept,
2. style, 3. cultural formation, 4. ideology. The first three meanings, in principle, are not
in doubt; while the latter is the most problematic. The article is focused on a broad analysis
of this understanding of Sarmatism. Understood in this way, it is based on values adopted
a priori: patriotism, honesty, religiousness, respect for tradition and faithfulness of the vassal
oath towards the senior.
In conclusion, I write that Sarmatism and all Polish culture had a culture-forming role in restoring
Europe to the countries of Sarmatia Asiatica (that I will recall the Miechowitas formula).
Like other researchers, I see all the limitations and shallows of Sarmatism, but above all – and
that is why Juliusz Słowacki and Cyprian Norwid were quoted – I suggest to see the greatness of Sarmatism. Maybe it is time we would start looking at our past not only critically but also with
love, seeing in it what caused that and in the 17th century also often was seen and acknowledged –
our right to be an equal member of the family of European nations. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2449-7339 2449-7339 |