As September gives way to October, Biblioteka Raczyńskich is bringing together a distinctly Poznań mix of literature, music, travel, local history and activities for families.
The programme at the end of September and beginning of October moves between the library's historic building at Plac Wolności, its branches and literary museums. There are conversations with writers and travellers, a piano recital, opera discussions and opportunities to step inside the former home of poet Kazimiera Iłłakowiczówna.
For anyone looking for cultural events beyond the city's larger venues, it is a useful reminder of how much takes place across Poznań's library network.
A travel writer, a thriller author and a new issue of Wielkopolski Widnokrąg
One of the first highlights comes on 28 September, when Marian Golka visits the historic library building at Plac Wolności.
Golka's Przenośne centrum świata. Przypadki podróżne has won this year's Arkady Fiedler Amber Butterfly Award. The book brings together short essays inspired by places, observations and encounters from around the world. Golka is a sociologist and former head of the Department of Sociology of Culture and Contemporary Civilisation at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań.
His conversation at 18:00 will be led by Grażyna Wrońska and Andrzej Chylewski, following the award ceremony earlier that day at the Arkady Fiedler Literary Museum in Puszczykowo.
There is another literary event that afternoon. At 17:00 on 28 September, Branch 53 on Hetmańska will host children's author Magda Stachula for a meeting and workshops aimed at readers aged 7 to 12.
The following day, 29 September at 17:30, the focus turns closer to home with the launch of the 13th issue of Wielkopolski Widnokrąg. The discussion will explore poetry in the city and the story of an early feminist from Greater Poland.
Inside the home of Kazimiera Iłłakowiczówna
September's final Wednesday offers a chance to visit one of Poznań's more unusual literary spaces.
On 30 September at 12:30, visitors can join a guided tour of the Mieszkanie-Pracownia Kazimiery Iłłakowiczówny at Gajowa 4/8. The apartment was the poet's home for several decades and has been preserved as a literary museum.
Tours require booking by email or telephone.
That same evening, the library turns to opera. The Operowy Klub Belcanto, at 18:00 in the Filia Sztuki, will look at the García family and their contribution to bel canto, alongside a discussion of vocal physiology and how singing voices have changed over the decades.
Families have their own literary journey that afternoon. At 17:00, the Henryk Sienkiewicz Literary Museum on the Old Market Square hosts Walizka pełna przygód. Sienkiewicz w podróży, a workshop built around the writer's travels and designed for children and families. Advance registration is required.
October begins with memory, walking and piano
The new month starts with Pamiętaj o czwartku on 1 October at 17:00, combining memory exercises with relaxation.
Then, on 2 October, the programme heads from Central America to the Pacific coast of Canada, at least in storytelling terms.
Travellers Ola Synowiec and Arkadiusz Winiatorski will talk at Branch 15 in Fabianowo about their journey on foot from Panama to Canada. The expedition covered almost 12,000 kilometres, nine countries and more than a year and a half on the road. It also received several travel awards, including National Geographic Traveler's Travel of the Year title.
There is a musical option that same evening. At 18:00, pianist Zofia Łałak opens the library's new concert season with a recital devoted to the work of Józef Wieniawski, the pianist, composer and teacher who was the brother of the better-known Henryk Wieniawski. Registration is required.
Sienkiewicz and his literary companions
The first Saturday of October brings another opportunity to explore the Sienkiewicz museum.
The guided visit "Sienkiewicz i jego muzy. O kobietach w życiu pisarza" takes place on 3 October at 12:30, looking at the women who played a role in the writer's life.
The wider October programme continues with literary meetings, Czech and Japanese culture, travel stories, letter-writing activities and the return of Noc Bibliotek (Library Night), alongside another book fair. The full calendar on the library’s website is likely to be the best place to check individual registration requirements and any changes to the programme.
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Source and image credit: Biblioteka Raczyńskich
