Historia i kultura ludowa w góralskiej trylogii Marii Kann

Abstract

[History and folk culture in the highlander trilogy of Maria Kann]

The works of Maria Kann are a significant contribution to the history of children and teenagers literature. The author started co-operating with scout papers in the 1930s and took part in the activities of the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association. Her initial literary work was related to the association as well as to her fascination with aviation. In the occupation period Kann participated actively in the underground life and co-operated with the Council for Aid to Jews. The highlander trilogy published in the 1950s comprises novels: Wantule, Dujawica and Owcze ścieżki and is evidence of an exceptional familiarity with the culture and mentality of the inhabitants of Podhale as well as with the occupation reality of World War II. In the novel Wantule M. Kann presents pre-war fortunes of highlander families of Gąsienicowie and Pawlicowie living in the community of Zakopane. Dujawica presents reality of the occupation period, the Goralenvolk action and the underground activity of the citizens of Zakopane. The third part of the trilogy: Owcze ścieżki is a continuation of the fortunes of the heroes from the previous volumes in the initial years after the liberation. The trilogy contains rich material concerning the highlander folklore. The author presents legends and cultural transformations of Zakopane and skilfully introduces the highlanders’ dialect into the dialogues. Due to these advantages, the series of novels by Maria Kann should be considered in the programme realization of regional education in lower secondary school