Ernest Bryll, a towering presence in Polish literary circles celebrated for his poetry, prose, translations, and film criticism, has passed away at the age of 89. The Association of Polish Writers has officially confirmed his demise.
Born on March 1, 1935, in Warsaw, Ernest Bryll emerged from humble beginnings in a peasant family. His formative years were spent in Komorowo Stare and Gdynia. After graduating from the Faculty of Polish Philology at the University of Warsaw, he further honed his craft with studies in film knowledge at the Łódź Film School.
A Journey Through Poetry and Prose
In 1958, Bryll unveiled his literary talent with the publication of his inaugural poetry collection, “Wigilia wariata” (The Lunatic’s Eve). Throughout his illustrious career, he gifted the world nearly 40 volumes of poetry, with notable works including “Autoportret z bykiem” (Self-Portrait with a Bull), “Sztuka stosowana” (Applied Art), “Mazowsze,” “Czasem spotykam siebie” (Sometimes I Meet Myself), and “Adwent” (Advent).
Diversifying his talents, Bryll delved into prose with his debut “Studium” in 1963. He showcased his literary prowess on stage with plays such as “Rzecz listopadowa” (November Matter), “Kurdesz,” and “Wieczernik.”
A Multifaceted Legacy Beyond Borders and Politics
Beyond his native literature, Bryll displayed linguistic versatility through translations of Czech and Irish works. Transitioning into music, he penned lyrics for compositions by notable musicians like Katarzyna Gärtner, Włodzimierz Korcz, and Czesław Niemen, which were performed by renowned Polish singers including Marek Grechuta, Stan Borys, Halina Frąckowiak, Krystyna Prońko, and Maryla Rodowicz.
In a diplomatic capacity, Bryll served as Poland’s ambassador to Ireland from 1991 to 1995. Throughout his lifetime, he garnered numerous literary accolades and state honours, culminating in the 2006 recognition by Polish authorities with the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, underscoring his profound contributions to Polish culture and literature.