Journals Showcase (Witryna Czasopism.pl)

№ 4
July 5th, 2004

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Muggles versus Potteromaniacs – Episode Three

Katarzyna Wajda

My reserved approach towards Potteromania was linked to the forms in which the craze manifested itself, such as the nightly queing for the latest volume of the wizard’s adventures. I was, however, equally irritated by the Polish Muggleland, represented by various groups often calling themselves “Polish” or “Catholic”, who accused Rowling’s book of propagating black magic, occultism etc., and would probably be happy to see all its copies burned. Such voices were heard especially in winter 2002 after the first adaptation – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – hit the bookstores. Harry's adventures inspired many protests; parents forbade their kids to see the movie; several theatres experienced serious financial difficulties after the scheduled screenings had to be called off. I may have had a lot in common with those who protested at the time, as both I and they did not read a single volume of the wizard’s adventures. To criticize books or films without knowing them is probably the Polish talent.

 

Heart-Shaped Sweets and the Heart’s Beats

Klara Kopcińska

It wasn’t that obvious at the beginning that the heart would become the symbol of feelings – erotic or else. Thales, who has – as it is popularily believed – discovered seasons of the year, did not state any opinion on the heart; thinkers that followed were undecided and wavered between the stomach and the liver, considering also a few lesser inner organs. Heart was the final choice. This was a bit unfortunate, at least according to Magda Dygat, the author of ... wait a minute, let me look for it, perhaps in the wingdings... in the webdings... here it is! So the title of Dygat's text is The ♥ Is Not a Slave [-grafia, 2 (7!) 2004].