The Reception of British Women Writers in 19th-Century Poland: The Case of Elizabeth Gaskell

The lecture will focus on the reception of British women writers in 19th-century Poland, with particular attention to the work of Elizabeth Gaskell, one of the most important novelists of the Victorian era, best known for works such as Mary Barton, North and South, and Cranford. The event will explore the place of British literature within the Polish cultural horizon of the 19th century, as well as the role of women’s writing in the processes of literary reception and cultural transfer. The meeting is planned as a 60-minute session and will include the speaker’s presentation followed by a Q&A section. It will be chaired by Professor Katarzyna Zechenter of the UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies, Vice Director of the Research Center on the Legacy of Polish Migration.

Pola Biblis is a PhD candidate in literary studies at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków. Her doctoral research examines encounters between “fallen” and “moral” women in 19th-century Polish and British literature, with particular attention to gender and class relations. Alongside her doctoral work, she is employed as a Commissioning Editor at the Znak Social Publishing Institute and occasionally leads creative writing workshops.

The event is intended for all those interested in 19th-century literature, women’s writing, comparative literary studies, and the reception of British authors in Poland.

Registration is required.
To register, please contact: obedep.london@gmail.com

Further details, including the Zoom link, will be shared upon registration.