Exploring Polish Science Fiction and Fantasy

Exploring Polish Science Fiction and Fantasy

“Exploring Polish Science Fiction and Fantasy - 100 years of Stanisław Lem” is prepared and produced by Talk Eastern Europe. This limited podcast series is being conducted in conjunction with the Year of Stanisław Lem 2021 - a special commemoration being held in Poland. Throughout this series, we will discover together with experts and writers the impact that Stanisław Lem has had in Poland and abroad. We will learn more about Lem’s story, his philosophy and some controversies along the way. We will also look at contemporary literature and bring to light some new Polish authors following in Lem’s footsteps. We invite you to join us on this journey… exploring Polish Science Fiction and Fantasy. The series is supported by a grant from the Polish Ministry of Culture, National Heritage and Sport under the grant program “Promotion of Polish Culture Abroad” from the Fund for the Promotion of Culture, obtained from subsidies established in games subject to state monopoly, in accordance with Art. 80 sec. 1 of the Act of November 19, 2009 on Gambling.

Episodes

October 1, 2021 1 min
Welcome to a special podcast series titled “Exploring Polish Science Fiction and Fantasy” prepared and produced by Talk Eastern Europe. This limited podcast series is being conducted in conjunction with the Year of Stanisław Lem 2021 - a special commemoration being held in Poland.
Mark as Played
Welcome to the special 7-episode podcast series titled “Exploring Polish Science Fiction and Fantasy – 100 years of Stanisław Lem”.

In this introductory episode, co-hosts and producers - Adam Reichardt and Maciej Makulski – introduce the audience to the aim of this special podcast series and introduce the story of Stanisław Lem – Poland’s best known science fiction writer.

This year, Poland celebrates 100 years since Stanisław Lem’s...
Mark as Played
November 4, 2021 25 mins
The second episode of the series explores the most dreadful experience of Stanislaw Lem’s life. He and his parents survived the second world war and the holocaust, but they lost close relatives and had to leave their home city – Lviv. How had those dramatic events influenced Lem’s writing and life is the primary part of the episode’s plot.

Professor Agnieszka Gajewska of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, the author of Stanisław...
Mark as Played
November 5, 2021 39 mins
Stanisław Lem was not only a science fiction writer, he was also a futurist and a philosopher.

In this episode, we get to hear from Jakub Gomułka - a Polish philosopher and professor at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the Pedagogical University of Kraków.

His research is focused on the relationship between culture and technology, as well as the problem of the mind, especially in the context of artificial intelligence...
Mark as Played
Literature and art has always had a special relationship in Poland. During the 1960s and 70s, this was no exception. In this episode, we hear from Andrzej Zaręba - a Kraków-based artist and illustrator for New Eastern Europe. Andrzej talks about his childhood in Kraków and the role of art in literature, including the artists like Daniel Mróz - the special illustrator for Stanisław Lem's science fiction. Andrzej also describes the u...
Mark as Played
November 14, 2021 33 mins
In this episode, we look at Lem’s reputation abroad. He was obviously known as a serious science fiction writer, and his books have been translated into over 50 languages. At the same time, Stanisław Lem did not enjoy the fame and celebrityhood a lot of his western contemporaries did.

To understand how Lem was received outside of Poland during his times of writing and afterwards, we hear from with Bruce Sterling - a well-known Ameri...
Mark as Played
Stanisław Lem and Andrzej Sapkowski are the seminal figures of science-fiction and fantasy in Poland and arguably the most recognizable Polish authors of these genres abroad. But what about other and contemporary authors? There are a lot of writers worthy of attention.

Together with Aleksandra Klęczar, associate professor of humanities at Jagiellonian University in Cracow, we propose a subjective list of authors you might want to c...
Mark as Played
In this episode, we explore the topic of futurology. In his writings, Lem was known for his predictions on how the relationship between man and technology might develop. In many of his books - some of which were written in the 1950s and 60s - Lem correctly predicted the evolution of man-made technology - including Virtual Reality, e-books, and the internet. Many of his writings were cautionary tales and commentary on man and machin...
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    True Crime Tonight

    If you eat, sleep, and breathe true crime, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT is serving up your nightly fix. Five nights a week, KT STUDIOS & iHEART RADIO invite listeners to pull up a seat for an unfiltered look at the biggest cases making headlines, celebrity scandals, and the trials everyone is watching. With a mix of expert analysis, hot takes, and listener call-ins, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT goes beyond the headlines to uncover the twists, turns, and unanswered questions that keep us all obsessed—because, at TRUE CRIME TONIGHT, there’s a seat for everyone. Whether breaking down crime scene forensics, scrutinizing serial killers, or debating the most binge-worthy true crime docs, True Crime Tonight is the fresh, fast-paced, and slightly addictive home for true crime lovers.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.