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Rafał A. Ziemkiewicz

ラファウ・A・ジエムキェヴィチ

Rafał A. Ziemkiewicz

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1964-09-13 （Piaseczno, Poland）
Nationality
Poland
Languages
Polish
Residence History
Piaseczno (birthplace) → Warsaw (residence)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Journalist, Publicist, Columnist, Radio/TV personality
Active Years
1982-
Affiliations
Real Politics Union (Unia Polityki Realnej) - spokesman (1993–1994)

Education

University of Warsaw
Polish language and literature
Period: 1984–1988
Country: Poland
Studied Polish language and literature at the University of Warsaw in the 1980s.

Awards

Janusz A. Zajdel Award
1995
Work: Pieprzony los Kataryniarza
Category: 小説部門
Organization: Janusz A. Zajdel Award committee
Result: winner
Janusz A. Zajdel Award
1996
Work: Śpiąca królewna
Category: 短編部門
Organization: Janusz A. Zajdel Award committee
Result: winner
Janusz A. Zajdel Award
1998
Work: Walc Stulecia
Category: 小説部門
Organization: Janusz A. Zajdel Award committee
Result: winner
ESFS award for Best Author
1997
Organization: European Science Fiction Society
Result: winner
Śląkfa (Writer of the Year)
1990
Organization: Silesian Fantasy Club
Result: winner
Śląkfa (Writer of the Year)
1998
Organization: Silesian Fantasy Club
Result: winner
Kisiel Prize
2001
Organization: Kisiel Prize committee
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Władca szczurów

1987 Short stories / Science fiction

Early short story collection exploring social and political themes through science fiction.

Fate of PolandSocial satireFutures studies

Pieprzony los Kataryniarza

1995 Political fiction / Science fiction

A novel depicting the near future of Poland and Europe, dealing with political and ethical issues.

Political futuresErosion of ethics

Walc Stulecia

1998 Political fiction / Social science fiction

A novel about Europe's future and clashes of civilization. One of his Zajdel-winning works.

Future of EuropeClash of civilizations

Cham niezbuntowany

2020 Essays / Non-fiction 190 pages

A collection of essays on contemporary society and politics. After publication it provoked debate and criticism over some passages concerning ethnicity and history.

Contemporary politicsSocial critiqueControversial themes

Bibliography

  • Władca szczurów (1987)
  • Skarby stolinów (1990)
  • Zero złudzeń (1991)
  • Wybrańcy Bogów (1991)
  • Pieprzony los Kataryniarza (1995)
  • Czerwone dywany, odmierzony krok (1996)
  • Walc Stulecia (1998)
  • Cała kupa wielkich braci (2002)
  • Ciało obce (2005)
  • Żywina (2008)
  • Zgred (2011)
  • Cham niezbuntowany (2020)

Translations of Works

  • Dobra wróżka → "A Fairy" (included in Chosen by Fate: Zajdel Award Winners Anthology, 2000)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Political fictionSocial science fictionSatirical and essayistic style
Recurring Motifs
Future of Poland and EuropeErosion of morality and ethicsPolitical tension and social conflict

Legacy

An award-winning science fiction author and political commentator. His fiction often explores near-future political and social issues; his essays and commentary reflect conservative positions and have frequently sparked controversy.

Archives

  • Works and articles held in public archives and by publishers
  • Official website (ziemkiewicz.info)

Quotes

  • "I refute the odious stereotypes about Poland"
    Source: Interview in Polskie Radio (2021)

Trivia

  • Won the Janusz A. Zajdel Award in 1995, 1996 (short story) and 1998.
  • Received the ESFS award for Best Author in 1997.
  • Active as a journalist and commentator; has hosted radio and TV programs.
  • His 2020 book Cham niezbuntowany provoked significant controversy.