More about Ludwik

The figure of Father Ludwik Zalewski was very beautifully and aptly described by his friend from the circle of Lublin bibliophiles, Feliks Araszkiewicz: "Among writers, he was called "the parish priest of poetry", but "without the government of souls", as he himself mentions in the introduction to Antologia współczesnych poetów lubelskich [The Anthology of Contemporary Lublin Poets]. From himself and his companions he demanded above all a level and higher scale of work results [...]. He represented not the type of man of power, but the type of man of radiation. He did not evoke adoration towards himself, but respect based on intellectual friendship and a community of creative achievements. He had nothing moralistic or preachy about him. He loved and enjoyed inflaming others with free thought, beautiful passions, he respected human individuality and believed in man".

Lublin lovers of beautiful books, printers-artists, publishers, writers, polonists, historians, archivists, painters and engravers often met in Father Zalewski's flat at 9 Graniczna Street. It was here that heated discussions took place and various cultural and publishing initiatives were born. The short story Jeszcze o Ludwiku [Still about Ludwik] well characterises the atmosphere of these meetings and the inspiring role of the "prince of bibliophiles".

As we learn from the memoirs of Julian Krzyżanowski, "ecstatic rapture over the beauty of a book" never took place at Zalewski's "completely dry"; the founders of Lublin's culture held intellectual debates using the resources of Father Ludwik's "cupboard", described in Czechowicz's short story.

This was the setting for the famous Nowości lubelskie [Novelties of Lublin], a regional catalogue of the most eminent local authors, or rather a witty bibliography which included almost all the literary figures of Lublin, alongside representatives of the scientific and political world. It was probably also at this time that Czechowicz wrote his epigrams - "pearls gushing with wit or irony, as Wiktor Ziółkowski said, written with heart and humour [...], with satirical nerve".In this environment, there was also an initiative to prepare Antologia współczesnych poetów lubelskich [The Anthology of Contemporary Lublin Poets]. The book was published in 1939, carefully edited by Father Zalewski and preceded by an introduction by Józef Czechowicz.