Zbigniew Herbert’s Birthday at the Palace of the Commonwealth
On Thursday, 29 October 2026, a poetry evening was held at the Palace of the Commonwealth to celebrate the birthday of Zbigniew Herbert, one of the most distinguished Polish poets of the 20th century, an essayist and playwright. The event was organised by the Zbigniew Herbert Foundation and the National Library of Poland.
The programme featured Zbigniew Herbert’s poems and poetic prose, as well as his play Reconstruction of the Poet. The works were performed and interpreted by Grzegorz Damięcki, Adam Ferency, Maja Ostaszewska and Karolina Rzepa, with a special appearance by Maja Komorowska. Musical accompaniment was provided by flautist Anna Karpowicz, and the entire performance was directed by Tomasz Cyz.
Dr Tomasz Makowski, Director of the National Library of Poland, drew attention to the diverse and noble purposes served by the Palace of the Commonwealth. He also emphasised that no fewer than three manuscripts by Zbigniew Herbert are on display in the permanent exhibition of the National Library’s Treasury, reflecting the special place the poet’s work holds in the Library’s activities. Dr Maria Dzieduszycka, President of the Zbigniew Herbert Foundation, emphasised that the organisers’ aim was not only to commemorate and honour the poet, but above all to create an opportunity to listen to the living words of his poetry, which remain as important and relevant as ever.
The evening at the Palace of the Commonwealth, attended by Herbert’s friends and admirers of his work, offered an opportunity to revisit his poetry and reflect on its timeless message. The event also recalled last year’s ceremony for the presentation of the Zbigniew Herbert International Literary Award, held in June 2025 at the Palace of the Commonwealth. On that occasion, the award was presented to Canadian poet Anne Carson, this year’s Nobel Prize laureate in Literature.
The work of Zbigniew Herbert, the author of Mr Cogito, has long held an important place in Polish literature and culture. The National Library of Poland, whose mission is to collect, preserve and provide access to Poland’s written heritage, also works to keep alive the memory of outstanding literary figures. The Library has particularly strong ties to Herbert’s literary legacy. It holds the poet’s archive, which includes manuscripts and typescripts of his works, correspondence, personal documents and photographs. These collections provide invaluable testimony to Zbigniew Herbert’s life and creative work, and selected items can be viewed in the permanent exhibition at the Palace.
Among the distinguished guests attending the event were Prof. Anna S. Czyż, President of the Association of Art Historians; Małgorzata Grupińska-Bis, Director of the Stanisław Barańczak Wielkopolska Library in Poznań; Prof. Marzanna Bogumiła Kielar; Ryszard Krynicki, recipient of the Zbigniew Herbert Award in 2015; Prof. Anna Nasiłowska, President of the Polish Writers’ Association; Dr Krzysztof Nierzwicki, Director of the University of Warsaw Library; Prof. Zdzisław Pietrzyk, Chairman of the National Library’s Scientific Council; Anna Piwkowska; Prof. Jacek Popiel, former long-serving Rector of the Jagiellonian University and the AST National Academy of Theatre Arts in Kraków; and Marek Skulimowski, President of the Kosciuszko Foundation in New York.
An additional attraction during the event was the opportunity to visit the new temporary exhibition Animals of All Worlds.
