We are now halfway through the year and our 2024 World Literary Tour isn’t ending anytime soon! Our next stop takes us to Kraków, Poland. This city is renowned for its rich history, cultural heritage, and vibrant atmosphere. Located on the Vistula River, it served as the country’s royal capital for centuries and remains a significant cultural and academic hub.  Recognized as a UNESCO City of Literature and one of the European Capitals of Culture, Kraków boasts a vibrant and historical literary and art scene. Here, traditional forms of writing blend seamlessly with poetry, hip-hop, songwriting, and more, breaking down cultural barriers and making literature accessible to all. 

Between now and July 14, explore Polish content. Visit Marketplace to discover recommended lists featuring Polish literature and Polish language content available from our publishing partners, including discounted titles from Saga! 

Poland’s Literary Landscape 

Kraków has attracted many Nobel Prize winners, thanks to the presence of Jagiellonian University, one of the oldest universities in Europe. Many renowned writers, poets, and intellectuals have either resided in or spent part of their lives in Kraków. Notable figures include Czesław Miłosz and Wisława Szymborska, whose poetry brings historical and biological contexts to life within fragments of human reality. Living, internationally acclaimed poets like Adam Zagajewski and Ewa Lipska continue to enrich Kraków’s literary heritage. 

Lights, Camera, Kanopy! 

Take a look at the variety of drama films and narratives available in Kanopy’s collection featuring titles taking place in and around Poland. View the collection here to immerse yourself in the culture of the country and the people who live there! 

Visit the new World Literary Tour page in the OverDrive Resource Center to grab the marketing kit so you can promote your new Polish content to your users. You’ll also be able to get a sneak peek about future stops, shop past language collections, and plan out programming for your library easily. 

About the author: Jill Grunenwald is a Marketing & Communications Specialist on the North America Public Library Marketing Team. A former librarian, she joined OverDrive in 2015. Outside of the office she can be found writing, hanging out with her cats, collecting more Tarot decks than she has room for, and playing competitive pinball. Her favorite genre is something she calls “Murder at an educational institution that involves a close-knit group of suspicious characters.”