Perspectives on Culture

Edytorial

2025-03-30T14:22:24+00:00

W niniejszej części nowego numeru „Perspektyw Kultury” chcemy przybliżyć Czytelnikom kilka istotnych aspektów związanych z kulturą popularną na przykładzie sztuki komiksowej. Uznajemy, że komiks jest wytworem kultury popularnej, a jako taki odbija istotne tendencje panujące w kulturze danego społeczeństwa, dając jednocześnie twórcom przestrzeń do pokazania własnej oryginalnej wizji rzeczywistości. To jednocześnie sfera wyobraźni autorów, dla których owa rzeczywistość może być tematem potraktowanym realistycznie i historycznie, ale też niestandardowym wyzwaniem, które przenosi wizję artystyczną w świat wyobraźni, odwołując się do elementów nadrealistycznych czy w końcu – surrealistycznych.

Editorial

2025-03-30T14:25:36+00:00

In this section of the new issue of Perspectives on Culture, we aim to introduce readers to several important aspects of popular culture through the lens of comic art. We recognize that comic art is a product of popular culture and, as such, reflects significant trends within a given society’s culture while also providing creators with a space to present their own original vision of reality. This is simultaneously a realm of imagination for authors, for whom reality may serve as a subject treated in a realistic and historical manner or as an unconventional challenge that shifts artistic vision into the world of imagination, incorporating surreal or even fully surrealistic elements.

Hearing Tytus

2025-03-30T21:39:45+00:00

In this article, I discuss the sound sphere depicted by Henryk Jerzy Chmielewski in the Tytus, Romek and A’Tomek comic book series. While comics belong to the domain of sight, the sounds portrayed graphically cannot be physically heard. Reading a written or drawn text creates an image of the presented phenomena. Through the use of senses, people give a visually depicted sound a particular materiality, but primarily, it is a visual concept perceived by the human eye. Chmielewski’s comics, the audio dimension goes beyond the graphic representation of sound in drawn frames; it encompasses a whole range of references to extra-comic circumstances, as seen in some aspects of 20th-century culture, especially in the 17^th episode of Tytus, Romek, and A’Tomek. It is assumed that the audio sphere in the comic books discussed in this paper appears in two forms: (1) textual determinants presented within the comic frames, and (2) metatextual determinants, such as the narrator’s comments or references to reality. This level of the audiosphere depends on the context: Tytus operates in a defined time and space, which includes sounds, music, and noises. I refer to these aspects of the sonic domain depicted in the comics, especially to the latter, since one of the albums is devoted to music. While reading it, one realizes how important sounds and music are for people as a part of the environment.

Linguistic comedy in comics about Titus, Romek and A’Tomek

2025-03-30T21:39:45+00:00

One of the most important ‘magnets’ for young people in comics about Tytus, Romek and A’Tomek was humour. The subject of this article is to present the important role that linguistic operations played in the creation of the depicted world of Papcio Chmiel’s comics. The transformation of commonplace phrases, vocabulary, exploration of the sonorous qualities of language lead to the questioning of established linguistic forms, undermining the seriousness of the depicted world. Such mechanisms firstly significantly autonomised the verbal layer vis-à-vis other comic book sign systems, and secondly provided a school of independent and critical thinking for young readers, which stood in contrast to the propaganda expectations of the authorities.

Technological Escapism as a Contestation of Reality.

2025-03-30T21:39:45+00:00

The article aims to analyze the phenomenon of technological escapism presented in the cult comic series Tytus, Romek i A‘Tomek by Henryk J. Chmielewski. Technological escapism served as the author’s response to the limitations of the oppressive system of the Polish People’s Republic and as a means for free intellectual and artistic expression, enabling both the characters and readers to symbolically and imaginatively cross boundaries. Referring to Isaiah Berlin’s concept (Berlin, 1991), the authors distinguished two types of this phenomenon: “technological escapism to” – which represents freedom and the liberty to travel, develop, and engage in social and cultural change – and “technological escapism from” – which signifies freedom from being confined to a single reality and the compulsion to conform to the political, economic and social system of the time. The article analyzes three main aspects of technological escapism in the comic series: (1) the axiological dimension, which allowed Henryk J. Chmielewski to promote values that contested the ideas of the socialist system, (2) the theme of travel in time and space, serving as a metaphorical escape from the uncomfortable reality of the People’s Republic of Poland, achieved by adapting and transforming mundane everyday objects into technologically advanced machines and devices capable of transporting the characters through time and space, (3) the original linguistic layer of the works, showcasing the author’s boundless literary imagination and technological foresight. By bringing innovative technological solutions to life, Chmielewski anticipated the possibility of their realization in the real, non-literary world.

Scout Themes in the Series of Comics About the Adventures of Tytus, Romek and A’Tomek

2025-03-30T21:45:36+00:00

The comic books about the adventures of Tytus, Romek and A’Tomek were a tremendous success for Wydawnictwo Harcerskie and their author, Henryk J. Chmielewski. The scouting theme, imposed by decision makers, was creatively utilized by the author to promote adventure, travel and friendship. Additionally, Chmielewski used the series to highlight important social issues and to present scouting as a way of life.

Comic Counter-Narratives and Images of Urban Gentrification

2025-03-30T21:39:46+00:00

The article examines comics that portray the crisis of housing policy and gentrification in various ways. These works serve as a starting point for reflecting on the critical role of comics in exposing political and social injustices in urban environments. The analysis employes the category of urban comics, which emphasizes the strong connection – both in terms of plot and distribution – between visual comic narratives and the city. Additionally, the article draws on the concept of the city from the perspective of urban Marxism, a school of thought focused on the critical analysis of gentrification processes. It raises questions about the critical and political potential of comics in shaping counter-narrative representations of urbanity and discursive formations, challenging the homogeneous messages of neoliberal politics and capitalist control over urban space that promote privatization and gentrification of cities.

Polish Generacja Nic, “Denarration” and the Liminal Experience of the 1990s Transformation in Agata Endo Nowicka’s Webcomics

2025-03-30T21:39:46+00:00

Access to the internet revitalized Polish comic art, enabled artists to transition from publishing zines and comic magazines in print during the 1990s and the turn of the century to dynamic online blogging platforms. This shift allowed new generations of Polish comic artists to regain prominence following the collapse of the comic market in the 1990s. Although these artists were familiar with comics from the People’s Republic of Poland, they explored different themes, often addressing national and transnational phenomena, such as “denarration”’ inspired by cultural texts about Generation X, or offering ironic commentaries on the attitudes attributed to the Polish alternative labeled Generacja Nic (Generation Nothing) in the media. Online comics democratized the medium, providing opportunities for those without access to traditional publishing to share their stories and amplify the voices of marginalized women and various minorities within local comics culture. Moreover, webcomics became a springboard for self-publishing careers, helping some authors achieve national and international recognition. Today, Polish webcomics serve as valuable documents, capturing economic transformation of Poland from a communist system to capitalism, as well as preserving a forgotten archive of captivating works by young creators that helped them navigate everyday challenges. The research methodology in this article combines cultural studies approaches with comics studies and the so-called oral history of comics. The primary material analyzed consists of the webcomics of Agata Endo Nowicka – the creator of Komix, the most commented blogging platform in the media, which inspired numerous other domestic artists.

Dalmatian Klapa

2025-03-30T21:39:47+00:00

The aim of this paper is to present a product of the intangible cultural heritage of Croatia, namely klapsko pjevanje – a traditional polyphonic a cappella singing from central Dalmatia. The tradition of this singing dates back to the mid-19th century, and this form is constantly evolving. Dalmatian klapas, small groups of singers, represent a highly popular form of musical activity in Croatia that has long surpassed local boundaries, gaining popularity across the entire country. The songs performed by klapas have become a symbol of Croatian culture, rapidly transitioning from a regional folk form to a cultural product. An important role in this process was played by the “Dalmatian Klapa Singing Festival,” initiated in 1967 in the town of Omiš, where the evolution of the genre can be observed – from a traditional city song, sung by men to relax after work, to a festival and modern song, close to popular music. It is worth emphasizing that over almost two centuries of existence, klapsko pjevanje has not faded; on the contrary, it continues to develop and enjoys considerable popularity among both the local audience and tourists. The article highlights the phenomenon of “modernization” within the klapa singing, its form, singing style, readiness to changes such as: the introduction of musical instruments accompaniment – initially traditional, later also electronic, the formation of female and mixed groups, the commercialization of activities, and promotion in the media, including the internet.

These Bills, Percepts, and Expenses

2025-03-30T21:39:47+00:00

The article presents selected documents preserved in the Scientific Library of the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow, which concern the activities of the Krakow fustian guild. The focus is on manuscript no. 1571: Files of Krakow dyers, fustian makers and weavers (1764–1845), an association which brought together fustian producers and traders. As a guild, it had, among other things, its own statute and a chest called a lada (guild box). The guuild’s activities aimed to protect the interests of this professional group. The analysis covers the guild’s income and expenses, their categories, and the daily necessities related to supporting members and fulfilling the provisions of the statutes. An integral part of the text is an annex containing a critical edition of nine financial records of the guild.

The The Interdisciplinary Use of Archival Materials and Archaeological Documentation

2025-03-30T21:39:48+00:00

The article explores the effectiveness of interdisciplinary research by examining the combined efforts of historians and archaeologists in the study of Lipowiec Castle in the Malopolska region. Built in the 13th century and used as a bishop’s residence and prison until the 19th century, the castle was the subject of archaeological research in the 1960s and 1970s. Surviving archival sources (e.g. Old Polish post-visit inventories and descriptions of the castle) were used to determine the optimal locations for excavations, to identify the remains of the destroyed interior furnishings, and to link movable artefacts (e.g. decorated tiles from the castle stoves) to the specific rooms in which they had once been located. In turn, the archaeological documentation produced at that time (i.e. work logs, drawings, artefacts inventories and metrics, reports) – which now constitutes an archival collection of 33 units – enabled a deeper understanding of the often incomplete Old Polish records and provided information about previously undescribed elements of the building’s construction. By integrating these two sources, two research methods, and two disciplines, the historical layers of the building and its history were reconstructed. Among other things, an analogy was drawn between the castle’s original plan and that of the castle in Chęciny. Additionally, a reconstruction of the castle’s forecourt (not documented in any written sources) was conducted, highlighting the unique defensive role of the entrance passage with a revolving gate and moat, and the monumental Lipowiec Tower.

What Language for Sielanka?

2025-03-30T21:39:48+00:00

The article What Language for Sielanka? On the Etymology and Nomenclature of the Genre explores the terminological transformations and the distinctions associated with the sielanka. It analyzes the most important contemporary dictionary explanations of sielanka in other European languages, including French (idylle), English (idyll), German (die Idylle) with the accompanying Laus ruris convention, Russian (идиллия –idilliya), and finally Polish (sioło/sielanka), comparing them with ancient nomenclature. The article discusses a set of criteria characteristic of the original names of the genre, derived from the Greek works of Theocritus and the Latin works of Virgil. It examines the relationship between current and traditional names, such as aegloga, idyll, eidullion, carmen bucolicum etc. The widespread use of genre-specific terminology in pastoral poetry is presented as a consequence of the genre’s prolific expansion in national literatures, which have invariably used ancient models, taking up and reinterpreting the idyll to the present day.

Poles and Germans in the Shadow of Geopolitics

2025-03-30T21:39:49+00:00

The article presents the evolution of the views of the milieu centered around the magazine Bunt Młodych (from 1937 published as Polityka) concerning Polish-German social relations. On minority issues, the authors of both titles focused mainly on relations with the Jewish and Ukrainian populations. Germans, as a minority but also as citizens of the Free City of Danzig, were a side topic, but importantly related to the authors’ views on proper Polish-German relations on interstate grounds. The present text develops and complements the theses presented in the book Conservative Revolution – the Case of Poland. The political thought of the milieu of Bunt Młodych and Polityka (1931–1939) which had previously only outlined these ideas. A particularly important element is the demonstration of the link between the evolution of views on national relations and the change of the international situation. The growing importance of the so-called “German problem” became evident with the worsening of relations with the German Reich. The most striking indication of this shift was the publication in 1939 of Józef Winiewicz’s work Mobilization of German Forces in Poland, which served as a prelude to his later theoretical work at the Ministry of Congress Works of the Polish Government in London during the Second World War. This article presents one aspect of the geopolitical conditioning of the magazine’s program line towards minorities, which highlights the value of political realism in the pre-war activities of Jerzy Giedroyc and his associates.

Debates, Controversies, and Restrictions on Clothing

2025-03-30T21:39:49+00:00

Over the centuries, clothing has evolved into a symbol, a socially understood form of communication. This has led to ongoing conflicts and disputes over its style, shape, color, material, and more. At times, these conflicts were driven by economic, social, or religious factors, and they arose repeatedly and cyclically throughout history. In some parts of Europe, legal norms were established to regulate the form and type of clothing, with the aim of easing “fashion” conflicts. However, in most cases, these imposed regulations only fueled more intense arguments.

Managing the Material Heritage of Judaism

2025-03-30T21:39:49+00:00

The aim of this article is to assess the potential and possibilities of applying modern management knowledge to the protection and promotion of the material heritage of Judaism and to provide specific recommendations in this area. A secondary objective is to analyze the cultural factors that have influenced the development of relations between Christians and Jews. The cultural category of Otherness (“self-stranger”) partially explains the mechanisms of mutual perception between Christians and the Jewish community. The study employs the desk research method, involving a critical analysis of the literature and specialist press, as well as the descriptive analysis method. As part of a case study, the Jewish Culture Trail in Żarki (Silesian Voivodeship) – a representative town for the history of Polish-Jewish relations – was analyzed. The results indicate that, both historically but today, there is ample evidence of Polish sympathy for the Jewish minority. The continued cultivation of Polish-Jewish traditions in various areas, as well as the recognized need for the institutionalized protection of Judaic heritage, underscores the iportance of maintaining positive relations. To effectively safeguard the material heritage of Judaism, it is recommended to apply principles in line with the management science. At the theoretical level, management should adhere to a systemic paradigm incorporating a holistic approach, while at the practical level, it should consider a functional approach.

Media Education and the Well-Being of Society

2025-03-30T21:39:50+00:00

The impact of media, particularly digital media, on societal well-being, has been a subject of ongoing discussion. However, research in this area that can be effectively utilized by decision-makers remains scarce. This article explores key themes and emerging research trends in media literacy and its impact on societal well-being. The authors conducted a bibliometric analysis using scientific mapping techniques and an executive summary approach. The analysis was based on 85 publications from the Scopus database, utilizing MS Excel and VOSviewer for data processing. The findings reveal that the intersection of media literacy and societal well-being requires further research, leading to a scarcity of studies and limited influence on policy and decision-making in this area. Consequently, the impact of media, especially digital media, on societal wellbeing is not taken into account in the development of core curricula in child and adolescent education and preventive health programs for adults. There is a significant need for greater attention and commitment to this area of research. Due to the topics, research fields and methodologies applied, the article is relevant to several scientific disciplines. Media literacy is directly related to communication and media studies, while public health policy fits into management and quality studies. The examination of well-being and the impact of media on health falls within the medical sciences.

Sounds of Hope

2025-03-30T21:39:51+00:00

The issue, that not long ago seemed marginal in Poland has, almost overnight, begun to affect millions of people living in our country. According to UNHCR, the number of refugees worldwide reached 43 million in 2024 (UNHCR, 2024). Behind each of these numbers lies the story of an individual facing profound challenges. Art can provide support by opening up spaces inaccessible to other forms of refugee aid and can also serve as a therapeutic tool. It functions as a bridge between internal experiences and the social sphere, assisting refugees in the transition from isolation to integration. This article focuses on music, presenting it as a component of music therapy, with particular emphasis on one of its most recent models: Community Music Therapy. This culturally sensitive form of therapy offers a destigmatizing approach to building a sense of security, regulating emotions, fostering relationships, and ultimately improving quality of life.

Unethical Dimensions of Business

2025-03-30T21:39:51+00:00

The case of Tho-Radia Cosmetics, a French company established in the early 20th century, represents a remarkable and controversial episode in the cosmetics industry. The company gained notoriety for marketing and selling beauty products containing radioactive substances, particularly radium and thorium. The research method employed in this analysis is a case study. While not designed to produce testable generalizations, this approach offers an illustrative examination that can provide valuable insights into business ethics. The primary goal of this case study was to uncover the factors that prompted Tho-Radia Cosmetics to alter its unethical practices. The secondary goal was to determine whether the company had sufficient information to change its product and business strategy, despite the absence of legal regulations at the time. The findings indicate that 1. the key factor driving the company to change its practices was a new law regarding radioactive substances. Consequently, the reason for the company’s shift was not due to an awareness of radiation’s harmful effects but was rather a response to regulatory changes. The secondary conclusion shows that Tho-Radia Cosmetics was aware of the real effects of using radioactive substances, yet it continued to offer cosmetics containing radium and thorium to its customers. The case study is presented in the context of business ethics.

Team Members-Leader Relationship and the Meaning of Remote Work

2025-03-30T21:39:51+00:00

The aim of the article is to identify key elements of organizational culture – specifically, relationships with leaders and team members – that contribute to the meaning of work among remote employees. Two hypotheses were formulated and tested through quantitative research conducted on a sample of 254 employees. Standardized self-report questionnaires were used to measure the variables. The results demonstrated that both the relationships with leaders and coworkers have a positive correlation with the sense of meaning of work. Simultaneously, the more individuals worked remotely, the stronger the positive correlation between the relationship with leaders and the sense of meaning of work, while the correlation with coworker relationships became weaker. The findings provide a basis for recommendations on how to shape organizational culture to enhance the sense of meaning of work for employees in remote teams.

Romano Guardini’s Conception of Melancholy, or On the Sense of Mis-Connection

2025-03-30T21:39:52+00:00

In the article, drawing on Romano Guardini’s Vom Sinn der Schwermut (On the Meaning of Melancholy) (1949), I examine the theological and existential significance of melancholy – an experience now classified as depression and treated therapeutically and pharmacologically, sometimes up to hospitalisation. This confrontation between two paradigms – the humanities and the sciences, philosophy and theology versus medicine – becomes even more significant in the context of the quasi-religious status psychotherapy has acquired, a phenomenon analyzed by Paul Tillich in Theology of Culture (1959), as a part of his broader critique of contemporary cultural revolutions. Tillich’s argument provides a framework for my interpretation of Guardini’s thought, particularly his assertion that melancholy is more than a mere psychological disorder. My primary contribution to this discussion is an exploration of the state of so-called mis-connection – a condition deeply embedded in human experience of the world of values, regardless of their nature. An emblematic illustration of this idea appears in the Old Testament: Samuel, called by God and addressed directly, repeatedly turns to Eli instead (1 Samuel 3:4–6). A number of Guardini’s reflections on melancholy suggest a similar theme of existential mis-connection. Finally, I argue that melancholy, rooted in the sense of mis-connection and as a state closer to human existential truth than it may appear, should not be seen as a burden or a flaw. Instead, it should be embraced as a challenge and a possibility.

Human Enhancement, Transhumanism and the Affirmative Option for People with Disabilities

2025-03-30T21:39:52+00:00

The aim of this article is to address the equitable application of transhumanist techniques to people with disabilities. It presents definitions of disability, explores the concept of enhancement in relation to persons with disabilities, and proposes an affirmative option in their favor. The study employs methods of analyzing philosophical and legal documents. The findings substantiate the need to promote and implement affirmative action to support people with special needs. The theoretical framework for such action could be the option of moderate human enhancement, which involves applying techniques of enhancement to a limited extent, stopping short of hybridisation of persons with disabilities. Enhanced individuals with disabilities would thus become hybrid beings. The article argues that the state should provide financial and administrative support to ensure the accessibility of human enhancement to people with disabilities, including those that extend “typical” human abilities.

Gaming with Science?

2025-03-30T21:39:53+00:00

“Excellence” has become a popular buzzword in Polish scientific discourse. Ministry programs titled “Excellent Science,” the competition “Excellence Initiative – Research University,” and entries about “excellence” in the strategies of various universities and research institutes all testify to the entrenched use of this concept in thinking about science, conducting research, and publishing. Of course, the concept of “excellence” appeared in European and global discussions about science much earlier (the term “Excellence” has been widely used in the scientific context in the European Union since at least the beginning of the 21st century. The “European Research Council” (ERC), founded in 2007, uses “excellence” as a critical criterion in the evaluation and funding of scientific projects. The ERC organised the conference “Excellence 2012” in Denmark, which also demonstrates the popularity of this term). However, it has resonated in Poland, especially in the last few years. Nevertheless, we should immediately add that, in education, realism took root in the discourse quite early when Quality Enhancement, an assumed infinite process, replaced the slogan of Quality Assurance (implicitly high). Excellence, however, as an idea, has mythical and utopian assumptions.