The Adventures of Sindbad the Seafarer
Project led by artist Julia Konieczna, who created an original collection of artworks inspired by ‘The Adventures of Sindbad the Seafarer’ by Bolesław Leśmian and brought this remarkable book to new audiences.
As part of her vision, she invited Mary Besemeres, Honorary Lecturer at the Australian National University in Canberra, to create the first English translation of the novel.
Leśmian in Museums
Rooted in Polish, Jewish and Arabic cultural traditions, the story is at the same time wonderfully universal, carried by Leśmian’s extraordinary imagination.
The project has been presented in three museum exhibitions: at the Museum of King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanów, the Galicia Jewish Museum and POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews.
Creative workshops
Julia’s Sindbad illustration workshops invite participants into Leśmian’s magical world to invent creatures and imaginary worlds of their own. They have been delivered with museums, international schools and Warsaw libraries.
The English edition of Sindbad, featuring Julia’s original illustrations, is available on Amazon.
The novel, together with Julia’s illustrations, is now being prepared for publication in Arabic in the United Arab Emirates by Bumelha publishing.
“Sindbad’s adventures are so entertaining and Leśmian’s voice so unique that ever since I first read the book in Polish, I’ve wanted to share these adventures with readers of English. Leśmian conjures up such an aura of mystery about the sea and far-off places. That aura captivated me as a child, and still does today. It is beautifully captured by Julia’s illustrations, which are delicate and dreamlike as well as humorous and highly inventive.”
“A weird, wonderful and completely original version of the Arabian tale by Polish Jewish poet Bolesław Leśmian - recently called “the greatest Polish poet ever”, that will appeal to children and adults alike.”
