CULTURE

Grab Marych by the duke

When the hero of Juliusz Kubel's column, Old Marych, left behind serious and well deserved competitors such as Count Edward Raczyński or Przemysł II, last year in the contest for the most famous Poznaniak, no one had any doubt that he is an important figure for the modern-day inhabitant of the city. A reminder of someone close - the next door neighbour, uncle Antoś or even grandpa ... For 17 years since 1983, it was possible to listen to his "gossip", first on Radio Polska (national radio) and then Radio Mercury. He dealt with everyday problems by taking the microphone in a Poznań dialect and gravel voice of the now regretfully late actor Marian Pogasz. Grumpy, sarcastic but at the same time always kind towards people, he was conscientious and decent, loving his wife Fruncka. Marych was also caring and protective.

Editor Juliusz Kubel, an insightful observer of people and life with an ear for the melody of a Poznań turn of phrase, breathed a lot of warmth into the character he created. A descendant of Bambers (traditional market gardeners just outside Poznań) he goes back eight generations in his ties to the city and knows it inside out. Marych however, that is also Marian Pogasz, is a Poznaniak born in Cracow and naturalised of his own choice. Even during a heavy and debilitating disease over many years, he didn’t lose his amiable spirit. His acquaintances, listeners and the theatre public remember him this way.

On the 21st of March the figure of Old Marych appeared, where Półwiejska Street ends near Plac Wiosny Ludów Square. The literary draft, with Marian Pogasz features, was eternalised in bronze by Robert Sobociński, a sculptor, born and bred in the suburb of Łazarz. Although this artist can boast of late having won numerous international successes he would not even allow the thought of someone else sculpting Old Marych (his over six meters tall composition "La Vie" was bought by France Telecom in Ivry, Paris, to represent the foyer of its new building and the monumental work, "Dante", was shown at the international exhibition "Transis", in Bar-Le-Duc in Lorraine and exhibited in the heritage part of that city). It must be admitted that he did a splendid job. The figure, "Man with a briefcase" has merged into the crowds walking along the Broadwalk, known as the "Deptak" (Półwiejska Street). Old Marych is once again amongst us.

PS. When I was admiring the sculpture I noticed an elderly man, who upon lifting his grandchild said with a roguish smile: son I'll lift you a tiny bit and you can grab Marych by the duke.

J.D.