Konstanty Jeleński papers

The papers include correspondence, writings and other material that documents Konstanty Jeleński's editorial work, literary criticism and involvement with several cultural organizations, including the Congress for Cultural Freedom, the Royaumont Foundation, and the Institut national de l'audiovisuel. A significant portion of the papers documents Jeleński's translation and criticism of the writings of Witold Gombrowicz. The papers are not a complete literary archive of Jeleński's life and work and contain only a portion of his correspondence and writings. Series I consists chiefly of Jeleński's general correspondence, writings and writings of others; the remaining series consist of papers related to specific topics and organizations. Correspondents include Witold and Rita Gombrowicz, fellow affiliates with the Congress for Cultural Freedom, and publishers. Essays and other writings relate chiefly to mid-twentieth-century Polish literary and political life (especially that of Polish émigrés), to the activities of the Congress for Cultural Freedom, and to Jeleński's translations from Polish to French. Printed material relates to literary, historical and political topics, especially in Poland in the mid- to late-twentieth century. A small amount of material relates to Jeleński's affiliation with the Royaumont Foundation and the Institut national de l'audiovisuel, documenting a portion of the activity of these organizations in the 1970s and 1980s.