Spotlight On Writers
Józefa Ślusarczyk-Latos
- Where, do you hail from?
I was born in Pępice, a small village in Poland, surrounded by beautiful nature, near one of the oldest mountain ranges in Europe (Świętokrzyskie Mountains). It is said that this is the writers’ land, some of the famous Polish writers such as Stefan Żeromski and Gustaw Herling-Grudziński came from here.
- What is the greatest thing about the place you call home?
The greatest thing about the place I call home is the home itself and all the things that come with it: family, love, conversation, a garden that I love and care for it myself. The garden gives me relaxation, a lot of creative possibilities, delight and inspires me.
- What turns you on creatively?
Some internal imperative, a strong need for creating, the pursuit of truth, beauty, something elusive, but at the same time compassion for people, animals and their harm. The desire to fix the world, the mysteries of the universe, which has always interested me, delighted and inspired.
- What is your favorite word, and can you use it in a poetic sentence?
My favorite word is searching, it has many uses and can have many contexts, opens up many perspectives, makes me get up again in the morning and want to act, search, admire the world. This word largely defines my body of work. An example is my poetry book “Nieustannie szukam (Constantly searching)” from 1996.
- What is your pet peeve?
Hypocrisy, false pride, indifference to the fate of people and animals. Consumerism and excessive “abuse” of the planet, destruction of the natural environment.
- What defines Józefa Ślusarczyk-Latos?
I am definitely defined by a great sensitivity to the world, courage and independence, a huge strength and need for creating that I received from God and nature. Also the constant search for truth, beauty and the pursuit of something elusive.
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