(born the 26th of March 1941 in Warsaw) – poet, director and performer of sung poetry, satirist, cabaret artist, author of texts of songs and libretto, translator, especially known for his own recitals, member of the Association of Polish Writers. He obtained a degree in Polish language studies as the University of Warsaw. He made his debut in the early 60s in cabaret and theatre in the student’s club Hybrydy. He made his appearances in cabaret shows (Dudek, Owca and Dreszczowiec). He is author of translations of songs from musicals: Kabaret, Jesus Christ Superstar and Chicago. Recognized as trend setter of new artistic form of expression – the so-called sung columns.

(selected excerpts from interview)

WHO IS HE?

„(…)Most difficult thing is to define oneself. I would say – I am rather stable emotionally person, of positive attitude towards other people.”

Truth

(…) Putting it straight, one should tell the truth. In my belief it pays off to do so, as it relieves human mind from a lot of effort. Since when a lie is tod, then it must be remembered to whom and what lie was told. And telling the truth, the situation is clear-cut. I always tried to tell the truth, and I think that I was well-off in doing so.

Happiness

(…) Maybe it shall sound somewhat strange, but for me, happiness is a kind of a way, on which we find ourselves, while we strive towards a given goal, which we have assumed, which we would wish to reach, and which perhaps may not be reached all at once. It’s about being just on the right track, by making even one step every day in that direction, which was recognized as right.

Whatever you do, do it well

(…) My Polish language teacher, which has shaped me, always used to say to me: “Remember that whatever you do, try to do it well and try to develop your skills”. From this, at a later stage, my popular saying came out: “let’s do our own thing”, meaning that in every circumstance, even unfavourable, if we are doing something, we should try to do it well, and try to get others into doing it, too. Professor Kotarbiński called it, a good job.

Conscience

My mother used to teach me: „Live in such a way and behave so that nobody would cry because of you”. And I would also add to this myself that one should live and behave in such a way so that when one is looking at a mirror while shaving, one would not have to look with embarrassment. This is so, since conscience is something from which one can never escape, and which can never be cheated.

Give it time

The most wonderful thing, which van be given to children and grandchildren, is time. This is so, since there is no time. Irrespective of what school and textbooks teach, there are certain truths that I cannot call in any other way, but as the truths that are spoken out just in the family atmosphere, when sitting at the table together. Such things are later on remembered in life. At the beginning, when you are young, then, you can disagree with that. Later on, when you grow up a little, and you are with other people, then, the first thought that crops into your head is: “What was said at home about this?”

Love

(…) This is that thing, which should be worked on. Every day one small contribution should be made to it (…)