Karol Szymanowski: przeżywanie Tatr

Abstract

Although poor health condition (badly treated childhood leg injury and progressing tuberculosis) prevented Szymanowski from wandering or skiing in the Tatra Mountains, he nevertheless gained a profound knowledge of the culture of Podhale region thanks to his long residence in Zakopane and friendship with many local highlander families which provided him with numerous opportunities to observe both the everyday life of the locals and their festivities. In addition to that, he was an avid reader of contemporary literature devoted to the Tatra Mountains and their inhabitants and made many excursions in the parts of Podhale accessible by cart or sledge. All of this had a significant influence on his work, especially on the Harnasie ballet which constitutes a tribute to the Polish highlander culture and their artistic spirit.