A Year of Literary Note for UB's Kazimierz Braun

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Kazimierz Braun of Getzville, professor of theatre and dance in the University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences, is a historian, poet, translator, essayist, novelist, playwright, scholar and remains a leading theater director in his native Poland. On top of that, he is having a banner year.

This year Braun's work is the subject of a new 335-page book of essays, "Horizons of Theatre II: Kazimierz Braun's Way," edited by Justyna Brylewska and published in Poland by Torun Norbertinum.

Also this year, his book, "Plays about Poles" (Sztyju I Oikajacg), a volume of 10 dramas, was published by Lublin Norbertinum and "Radiation," his play about Maria Sklodowska-Curie, was published by Archiwum Emigracji (Archives of Polish Emigration, University of Torun).

In addition, Braun contributed a chapter to the new book "His Holiness Pope John Paul II: A Commemorative Volume of Essays from the Members of the Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America" edited by Charles S. Kraszewski (Piasa Books: New York, New York).

Braun holds a doctorate in both philosophy and in theater and is the author of more than 30 books, among them theater histories, novels, poetry, collections of essays, and plays, including "A History of Polish Theatre, 1939-1989" (1996) and in 2000, "Theater Directing: Art, Ethics, Creativity" (Edwin Mellen Press).

His novel, "Day of Witness," reflects John Paul II and his pontificate in the heart, thoughts and actions of a young Polish priest, one of the Pope's loyal, if at times inept, disciples. The book won the 2001 Aurum Literary Award.

Braun's plays have been staged throughout the world. Critic Thomas Leff called Braun "an especially creative force in Polish Theatre" and British author Richard Burns calls him "one of the leading world directors."

Braun's most notable directing credits include work by Ionesco, Joyce, Moliere, Precht, Pirandello, Shakespeare, Camus; Polish poet, playwright and painter Cyprian T. Norwid; Polish playwright, diarist and novelist Witold Gombrowicz, and Polish playwright, diarist and novelist Tadeusz Rózewicz