Съюза

Only recently, in connection with the XIII Congress of the Union of Polish Writers, has a broad and deeply principled discussion unfolded about the state and prospects of Polish literature. Something new was also felt in the atmosphere, in the spirit of the sessions of the congress itself - greater principle. Attention was directed primarily to key, central problems, while at previous congresses the emphasis was often on secondary issues of a strictly professional nature. Even with the best desire for a conscientious and objective presentation of literary facts, one is not immune from the danger of falling into one-sided assessments, since in Polish literature there is such a diversity of creative individuals, and some creators have undergone such an evolution that information, especially the shorter ones, is quite difficult. Still, some phenomena are very obvious. If one compares the literature in Poland of the last six or seven years with the literature of the previous period, any unbiased reader will see that the newer literature stands on a higher artistic level, is characterized by depth, richness, and dynamism. The development of individual creative personalities has become much more organic, free, and unforced.

Comrades, At our current meeting in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Union of Bulgarian Writers, we started an argument with the Chairman of the Committee on Culture and Art, Dr. Petar Vutov. I asked him to give me the floor later, so that I could prepare accordingly and get into tune, so to speak. But he told me: "It is not possible, Comrade Zhivkov, because the Chairman of the Union of Bulgarian Writers, Dr. Kamen Kalchev, will also speak, and other comrades will speak, and there will also be a literary program." It seems, as I understood from Dr. Vutov's information, that today's meeting will be more difficult than your solemn meeting last night. (Merry cheering. Applause). The second issue of our argument with Dr. Vutov concerns whether I should just raise a toast or deliver a speech. I do not know why Dr. Vutov, by giving me the floor, limits me and suggests that I raise a toast. I could not imagine how you, the writers, would exist if you did not write, and how we, the political and state figures, would exist if we did not deliver speeches. After all, that is how we earn our living. (Merry cheering. Applause). Dear writers, Dear comrades, Distinguished guests, I am fulfilling a pleasant assignment from the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party, the people's government and my comrades - members of the Politburo and secretaries of the Central Committee of the party, who are present at this meeting. I greet you most cordially, warmly fatherly - I mean the party, friendly - I mean our comradeship and ties, on the occasion of the glorious 50th anniversary of the Union of Bulgarian Writers. (Prolonged applause).