Dyskusyjny Klub Książki: Engaging Literary Discussions for Adults at Royal Łazienki Museum

A recurring book club discussion series for adults exploring literary works where gardens play a significant role. Meetings will delve into themes of transformation, reflection, and the search for harmony, drawing inspiration from Ovid's 'Metamorphoses'.

The Dyskusyjny Klub Książki (Book Club Discussion) is a series of meetings for adults centered around literary works that feature gardens as significant spaces for change, reflection, and the pursuit of lost harmony. Drawing inspiration from Ovid's 'Metamorphoses', the discussions will trace the motif of metamorphosis—of body, feelings, destiny, character, and mindset—as it appears in literary works across different eras. Each session examines a specific book, exploring its themes and characters in relation to nature, personal transformation, and societal changes. The series includes discussions on 'The Secret Garden' by Frances Hodgson Burnett, examining nature's healing power; Bolesław Prus's 'The Doll', analyzing the transformations of its protagonist and the social context of 19th-century Poland, with a focus on scenes set in Łazienki Park; John Milton's 'Paradise Lost', contemplating the connection between humanity, nature, and the concept of Eden; Jorge Luis Borges's 'The Garden of Forking Paths', delving into narrative potential and perceptions of time and reality; and Olivia Laing's 'The Garden Against Time', which interweaves personal narrative with reflections on beauty, utopian dreams, and the social dynamics of gardening. Discussions are led by Dr. Karolina Rychter, a philosopher and lecturer at the University of Warsaw, who specializes in the connections between philosophy and literature.

Individual tickets for each meeting cost PLN 15 and can be purchased online via the provided link. The event takes place in the educational room on the first floor of the White House, accessible only by stairs.