“Lec for the 21st century” – a meeting with Adam Michnik and Tomasz Lec

On September 25 a meeting with Adam Michnik and Tomasz Lec took place at the Institute for the Culture of Encounter and Dialogue, opening the academic year at the Jan Karski Institute. Bogdan Białek and the guests discussed a unique album entitled “Lec. XX wiek” [Lec. 20th Century] and the topicality of Stanisław jerzy Lec’s aphorisms. During the discussion Adam Michnic stressed the relevance of Lec’s thought. “The aphorisms were written in situations of forced helplessness and vulnerability. Stanisław Jerzy Lec’s answer to them is full of sarcasm, however, it is the sarcasm of a man who experienced a lot”, said the editor-in-chief of “Wyborcza” daily paper.

The host of the meeting, Bogdan Białek, asked the guests whether they shared the vision of the 20th century that emerged from the Lec’s aphorisms. The discussion also revolved around the sources of hope in the modern world. The questions from the audience referred, inter alia, to the ways of overcoming the prevailing attitude of hatred. Our guests also shared their experience of distance they learned while contemplating the said aphorisms.