Witold Hulewicz: translator and popularizer of R.M. Rilke's works – Vilnius episode

Abstract

The friendship between Witold Hulewicz and Rainer Maria Rilke crossed not only artistic, but above all national boundaries. Hulewicz introduced Rainer Maria Rilke’s poetry to Poland. He was not only a translator, but was also the first in Poland to disseminate Rilke’s literary works with complete dedication. The Polish translator tried to bring together the German literary world with that of the Polish one in Vilnius, where he tried to find a place for his propagation activities. Often he did not receive support from his compatriots, but could always count on Rilke’s good word. Both writers abandoned the prevailing vision of national identity in order to eliminate the negative attitudes of the two nations towards each other.