Józef Ondrusz

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Józef Ondrusz
Born March 18, 1918(1918-03-18)
Darkau, Austria-Hungary
Died May 27, 1996 (aged 78)
Darkov, Czech Republic
Occupation Folklorist and writer
Ethnicity Polish
Citizenship Czechoslovak, Czech
Notable work(s) Godki śląskie

Józef Ondrusz (18 March 1918 – 27 May 1996) was a Polish teacher, writer and folklorist from the Zaolzie region.

Ondrusz was born in the village of Darków to a coal miner. He graduated from a Polish grammar school in Frysztat and later from teachers' seminary in Ostrava. After World War II Ondrusz taught at the Polish school in Darków and wrote several schoolbooks for Polish schools in Zaolzie. He also co-founded magazines for children, Jutrzenka and Ogniwo.[1] He was an active member of PZKO (Polish Cultural and Educational Union) and also became active in the Polish scouting in Czechoslovakia. He earned a doctorate in 1972 for his thesis Proza ludowa Śląska Cieszyńskiego 1845-1970 (Folk Prose of Cieszyn Silesia 1845-1970).[2]

Ondrusz was fascinated by the culture and traditions of Cieszyn Silesia and was a keen collector of everything related to regional culture. He eventually published traditional folk fables, proverbs and stories, often literally adapting them.

He wrote his works in literary Polish and in the local dialect. His works focus mostly on regional folklore, culture and fables.

Józef Ondrusz died in Darków and is buried in the nearby village of Stonava.

[edit] Works

  • Godki śląskie (1956, 1973, 1974, 1977)
  • Przysłowia i powiedzenia ludowe ze Śląska Cieszyńskiego (1960)
  • Śląskie opowieści ludowe (1963)
  • Proza górników karwińskich (1974)
  • Wspominki okupacyjne (1981)
  • Cudowny chleb (1984, 1986)
  • O ptaszku Złotodzióbku i inne bajki (1986)

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Sikora 2008, 3.
  2. ^ Radłowska-Obrusnik et al 1997, 163.

[edit] References

  • Málková, Iva; and Svatava Urbanová (2001). Literární slovník severní Moravy a Slezska (1945-2000). Olomouc: Votobia. ISBN 80-7198-515-5. 
  • Radłowska-Obrusnik, Martyna; and Otylia Toboła (1997). Leksykon PZKO. Czeski Cieszyn: Zarząd Główny PZKO. 
  • Sikora, Władysław. "O Józefie Ondruszu", Głos Ludu, 1 April 2008, p. 3.