In this episode, we explore the topic of futurology. In his writings, Lem was known for his predictions on how the relationship between man and technology might develop. In many of his books - some of which were written in the 1950s and 60s - Lem correctly predicted the evolution of man-made technology - including Virtual Reality, e-books, and the internet. Many of his writings were cautionary tales and commentary on man and machine. Some of this was discussed in episode 3 - on the philosophy of Stanislaw Lem. But here, we focus purely on the topic of futurology - and Lem’s input into the field of futurology; and Lem himself as a futurist.

To help us navigate this topic, we are joined by Aleksandra Przegalinska - an associate professor of management and artificial intelligence as well as a vice-rector at Kozminski University. She is also considered a modern day Polish futurist.

Meet our guest, Aleksandra Przegalińska: https://www.kozminski.edu.pl/en/community/card/prof-aleksandra-przegalinska-skierkowska

Host: Adam Reichardt

Stanisław Lem and Andrzej Sapkowski are the seminal figures of science-fiction and fantasy in Poland and arguably the most recognizable Polish authors of these genres abroad. But what about other and contemporary authors? There are a lot of writers worthy of attention.

Together with Aleksandra Klęczar, associate professor of humanities at Jagiellonian University in Cracow, we propose a subjective list of authors you might want to check! Our guest explains also why some Polish authors might not be easily translated into other languages. If you need a roadmap of contemporary Polish sci-fi and fantasy, this episode is for you!

Authors mentioned in the episode:
Andrzej Sapkowski
Stanisław Lem
Jacek Dukaj
Aleksandra Hałas
Radek Rak
Andrzej Pilipiuk
Anna Brzezińska
Wit Szostak
Marta Kisiel

Host: Maciej Makulski

In this episode, we look at Lem’s reputation abroad. He was obviously known as a serious science fiction writer, and his books have been translated into over 50 languages. At the same time, Stanisław Lem did not enjoy the fame and celebrityhood a lot of his western contemporaries did.

To understand how Lem was received outside of Poland during his times of writing and afterwards, we hear from with Bruce Sterling - a well-known American science fiction writer who is also considered one of the founding fathers of the cyberpunk movement. Bruce has reflected a lot on the role of Lem in the genre of science fiction and has followed Lem throughout the years.

More about Bruce Sterling: https://www.edge.org/memberbio/bruce_sterling
Host: Adam Reichardt

Literature and art has always had a special relationship in Poland. During the 1960s and 70s, this was no exception. In this episode, we hear from Andrzej Zaręba - a Kraków-based artist and illustrator for New Eastern Europe. Andrzej talks about his childhood in Kraków and the role of art in literature, including the artists like Daniel Mróz - the special illustrator for Stanisław Lem's science fiction. Andrzej also describes the unique bond between drawing and fantastical fiction writing.

See more illustrations by Andrzej Zaręba: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/01/20/andrzej-zareba-political-cartoonss-2/

Host: Adam Reichardt

Stanisław Lem was not only a science fiction writer, he was also a futurist and a philosopher.

In this episode, we get to hear from Jakub Gomułka - a Polish philosopher and professor at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the Pedagogical University of Kraków.

His research is focused on the relationship between culture and technology, as well as the problem of the mind, especially in the context of artificial intelligence. In this context, he has been analyzing and studying the philosophy of Stanisław Lem - as can be understood through his writings. This year, Gomułka released, together with colleagues, the first volume of a two-volume anthology on the philosophy of Lem titled in English: Philosophical Lem: A collection of Stanisław Lem’s texts and their elaboration. There was a lot of interest and discussions in Poland surrounding the publication.

The book is available in Polish at: https://ksiegarnia.pwn.pl/Filozoficzny-Lem,910913671,p.html

Episode host: Adam Reichardt

The second episode of the series explores the most dreadful experience of Stanislaw Lem’s life. He and his parents survived the second world war and the holocaust, but they lost close relatives and had to leave their home city – Lviv. How had those dramatic events influenced Lem’s writing and life is the primary part of the episode’s plot.

Professor Agnieszka Gajewska of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, the author of Stanisław Lem’s biography (2021), guides us in discovering and comprehending this sensitive, complex, and important topic.

Sources:
Agnieszka Gajewska, “Wypędzony z Wysokiego Zamku”, Wydawnictwo Literackie, 2021, https://www.wydawnictwoliterackie.pl/produkt/3972/stanislaw-lem-wypedzony-z-wysokiego-zamku
Wojciech Orliński, „Lem. Życie nie z tej ziemi” (2021), https://czarne.com.pl/katalog/ksiazki/lem

Episode Host: Maciej Makulski
Voice over: Alicja Baczyńska

Welcome to the special 7-episode podcast series titled “Exploring Polish Science Fiction and Fantasy – 100 years of Stanisław Lem”.

In this introductory episode, co-hosts and producers - Adam Reichardt and Maciej Makulski – introduce the audience to the aim of this special podcast series and introduce the story of Stanisław Lem – Poland’s best known science fiction writer.

This year, Poland celebrates 100 years since Stanisław Lem’s birth (1921). As part of this commemoration, this podcast series will bring to an international the story of Lem and discuss his influence on Polish society and literature. It will look at the role he played in various fields beyond science fiction including philosophy, science and culture. In addition, we will explore current trends in Polish fictional literature.

Learn more about the "Year of Lem" at: https://roklema.pl/

We hope you enjoy this series and learn more about Polish science fiction and fantasy!

This podcast series is researched, written and produced by Adam Reichardt and Maciej Makulski of Talk Eastern Europe. Additional research was completed by Arkadiusz Zając. The podcast series is supported by a grant from the Polish Ministry of Culture, National Heritage and Sport under the grant program “Promotion of Polish Culture Abroad”. If you would like to learn more about New Eastern Europe podcasts, visit www.neweasterneurope.eu.

Send feedback to: editors@neweasterneurope.eu

Welcome to a special podcast series titled “Exploring Polish Science Fiction and Fantasy” prepared and produced by Talk Eastern Europe. This limited podcast series is being conducted in conjunction with the Year of Stanisław Lem 2021 - a special commemoration being held in Poland.