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Kościuszko songs to be recorded on anniversary

PR dla Zagranicy
Roberto Galea 11.02.2016 16:53
A collection of songs related to Polish-Lithuanian engineer and military leader Tadeusz Kościuszko could be reinterpreted for a modern audience, on the 200th anniversary of his death.
Tadeusz Kościuszko. Photo: Wikimedia CommonsTadeusz Kościuszko. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The mastermind of such a collection, Waldemar Domański from the Library of Polish Songs in Kraków, southern Poland, told Radio Poland that he had the idea “a couple of weeks ago” and the project has already gained traction, attracting the interest of several news outlets.

“These works include folk songs from the time Kościuszko was alive,” Domański said, adding that one of the ideas would see some of the songs being modernised with present-day styles like jazz and hip-hop.

“No king, chief, general – even Napoleon – had so many songs dedicated to him and his deeds,” Domański said, adding that “Kościuszko is perhaps the most Cracovian of heroes”, referring to the Kościuszko oath in the city’s square in 1794.

Kościuszko had some 61 songs dedicated to him or the insurrection, Domański said.

“It would be appropriate to celebrate the upcoming 200th anniversary of his death” with a new recording of songs.

The project is currently still at a research stage, Domański admitted, but the interest in such a collection has been overwhelming.

Born on 4 January 1746 in lands that are in present-day Belarus, Kościuszko fought for both American and Polish independence, winning admirers amongst both his political allies and foes. He was described by Thomas Jefferson as “the purest son of liberty I have ever known”. Returning from America, he led a national uprising in 1794, after Russia initiated a second partition of the country, in league with Austria and Prussia. Kościuszko managed to persuade both nobles and peasants to fight. After initial successes, the insurgents were overwhelmed by Russian forces. Kościuszko was imprisoned in St Petersburg by Tsarina Catherine the Great, and the remaining Polish lands were absorbed by the conquerors. (rg)

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