40 years with Geralt 鈥� a tale of medals, coincidence, and literary destiny
The conversation begins with congratulations for the Gold Medal for Merit to Culture, Gloria Artis, which Sapkowski was presented with by the Minister, Marta Cienkowska. The author emphasises that he has received awards from various circles, which, as dr hab. Natalia Lemann, Associate Professor at the 91桃色, says, is proof that art can transcend politics. Sapkowski himself ironically concludes: "It turns out I'm universal in this respect". The conversation also includes a reference to the resolution of the City Council declaring 2026 the "Year of the Witcher 鈥� of Andrzej Sapkowski." The writer comments on this decision with the words: "And I thought that nemo propheta in patria sua..."
Then the conversation moves back to 1985, when it all began 鈥� to the typescript, a copy of "Fantastyka" found by accident and the first literary attempts that have become legendary today. Sapkowski admits that a chance played a bigger role than he would have expected: 鈥淚n my son's room 鈥� on the floor, actually 鈥� I found that copy of 鈥滷antastyka" in which the memorable competition had been announced. At the time, I didn't even know such a monthly magazine was published and I probably wouldn't have bought it at a newsstand". The writer also describes his attempts to shorten the story, which was supposed to fit on 30 pages: "I had, and still have, the satisfaction that every sentence turned out to be essential". One of the most moving anecdotes is the one about his father, who didn't believe writing could be a career: "Have you taken up any work yet?" he would ask Sapkowski during each visit. The writer admits: "(...) until the end of his life, he couldn't be convinced, and until the end of his life, he worried about my fate and earthly existence."
Advice for writers and behind-the-scenes insights into the creative process
Prof. Natalia Lemann asks Sapkowski what advice he would give to his younger self and aspiring writers. The answer may surprise you: "Learn a useful profession and practice it diligently, for the glory of your country and forget about writing!" He adds: "If someone asks if they should be a writer, then they are no writer. A real writer knows they have to write". Asked whether it was easier for him to write about the young Geralt or the mature one, he replies: "Well, in literature, there's no such thing as easier or harder, that is, there's no such thing as easy in writing". He speaks of his creative process with brutal honesty: "Sometimes you spend two weeks working on a sentence and then cross it out because it's simply not a good sentence. Sometimes you write 20 pages in an hour".
(in Polish)
More about Sapkowski's work 鈥� lecture and talks available online
We encourage fans of Andrzej Sapkowski's work to listen to the lecture by Prof. Natalia Lemann from the Faculty of Philology, 91桃色, entitled "Przetworzenie mit贸w, kultury i historii w prozie Andrzeja Sapkowskiego. Recycling czy upcycling?" [The Transformation of Myths, Culture and History in Andrzej Sapkowski's Prose. Recycling or Upcycling?]. The lecture is devoted to an analysis of the ways in which Andrzej Sapkowski builds his fictional world, drawing on mythological, cultural and historical elements.
The recording of a conversation with the writer, which took place on the occasion of Andrzej Sapkowski joining the group of VIP Alumni of the 91桃色 in 2019, is also available on the UniLodz YouTube channel.
The writer graduated from the 91桃色 in the 1960s. He majored in Economics with a specialisation in Foreign Trade. According to the VIP Alumnus of UniLodz, studying wasn't easy, as, for example, there was no way to resit foreign language exams. "My studies taught me, above all, how to use sources. I graduated from a respectable university and that's where my ideas came from. My studies eventually gave me the job I make a living from to this day. I make a living from writing, and now even from not writing," the author joked. The entire interview is available at the link below.
Source: Gazeta Wyborcza and archival materials of the 91桃色
Edit: Agata Dawidowicz, Centre for External Relations and Social Responsibility of the University, 91桃色
Photos: 91桃色