The women writers of the Podkarpacie region are wonderful! A conversation with Małgorzata Korbecka (Matwij), a writer, poet, and cultural organizer from Rzeszów.

Małgorzata Korbecka (pen name: Małgorzata Matwij) is the author of books on women's issues. She is a member of the Regional Association of Cultural Creators in Rzeszów and the Brzozów People's University. She co-organizes the literary events "Romans with Literature" and the podcast "On Literature. Podkarpackie Pisarki" (On Literature. Podkarpackie Writers), which promote the work of women from the Podkarpacie region. Since 2024, she has been conducting conversations with local writers and poets on the Rzeszów Info internet television program "Literacki Rzeszów." She is the originator and co-founder of the literary event "Przystań Literacka" (Literary Haven). For her book "Wadliwy gene," she received the Golden Pen Literary Award from the Rzeszów Branch of the Polish Writers' Association.

In interviews, authors are often asked about the beginnings of their writing careers, but I'd like to talk about the future. Where do you think your passion will take you if your literary dreams come true?

"That's a difficult question. I don't set any specific goals for myself. Since the publication of my first book and my entry into the literary community, I've been exploring various opportunities related to my passion – interviews, organizing meetings, consolidating literary groups. I'm open to whatever life brings me, to ideas that emerge as I pursue new projects. I'm curious to see what's lurking around the corner (laughter)."

What changes in a writer's awareness after the publication of a debut book?

"I started to look at my writing differently. Meetings with readers showed them that my words mattered. I became more courageous in expressing my thoughts, which I had hidden for many years, not wanting to offend anyone. I came to the conclusion that one cannot remain silent about things that are important. My perception of writers has also changed. I enjoy contact with people who think similarly. These meetings energize and inspire me to act: to write, to conduct interviews, to organize events. A volume of poetry has also been published; although I wrote poems long before I wrote prose, I had no plans to publish them, but I did.

"On the other side of the mirror, I'm crouching, planning what life will look like without the deceptive makeup." This is a fragment from one of your poems. Where is the truth about a writer more revealed: in poetry or prose?

"Prose is a platform where a writer can express themselves much more broadly, but also hide more—through descriptions or escape into various characters. My poems—at least my poems—distil the very essence of what hurts in some way, what I perceive, and what is very consistent with the problems faced by the women in my books. What I write about didn't necessarily have to happen to me, but it did happen."

You say you write for women. What do you want to convey to them through your writing?

"Indeed, I focus on women. I want to tell them: ' Don't be afraid. Be mindful of your own feelings and emotions. Give yourself permission to do more—don't get stuck in the patterns imposed by your upbringing'" (often good, but full of limitations). Many women put themselves below their husbands, children, and co-workers. I've also heard that it would be good if men read my books.

Interviews on the Rzeszów Info online television (as part of the "Literacki Rzeszów" program) and the podcast "On Literature: Podkarpackie Pisarki" (On Literature: Podkarpackie Writers) are regular programs to which you invite women writers from the region—and men, too, by the way. Among them are a large group of authors from Przemyśl. Why do you promote the competition?

"We're not in competition with each other – a book takes a long time to work on, and a reader reads it in an evening or two. However, writers need a space to exchange experiences and support each other. When I started writing, I went through a phase of loneliness, unsure which direction to take, what was worth doing. I had no contact with literary events, I didn't even attend author meetings. I have a need and desire to consolidate the literary community in the Podkarpacie region and encourage people who write to themselves not to be afraid to come out.

So let's gossip about "our" writers - what are they like?

– Wonderful! ( laughter ). Each one has their own story: literary maturation, breaking stereotypes, stepping outside their comfort zone. Many of them fear public opinion, especially the reactions of their loved ones – on the one hand, they encounter admiration, on the other, malice. It's not easy. There are women who started writing quite late in life. Their energy is incomparable. Youth fuels itself – although young writers also have problems, but they don't have to rush into realizing their plans. When you realize that "it's closer than further," you can't delay anything. Through the example of specific individuals, I see them beginning to recognize their value, the courage to express themselves, to experiment. There are many "crazy women" over 50 in cultural associations who do a lot of good, not only for themselves but also for others.

I have the pleasure of speaking with one of them. Your energy resonates far beyond the Podkarpacie region and attracts people with whom you resonate.

"I have the soul of a social activist. My passion for organizing has been growing within me for a long time. I discovered that my role is to connect people. And I truly attract people who think and want to work with me. "Literacka Grota" was Lidia Socha's idea. A meeting with Karolina Winiarska, editor of Rzeszów Info, initiated a series of interviews with women writers. Cecylia Pierzchała, in turn, convinced me to try podcasts – including those featuring women writers from the Podkarpacie region, as there are never enough programs about them; we're in no way inferior to creators from larger centers, we're just perhaps less well-known."

Recently, the "Literary Haven" took place at the Dzików manor house, arguably the largest cultural event ever organized by a non-governmental organization. Could you tell me where the idea came from?

"It was born gradually, maturing with each subsequent initiative, until it finally emerged as a two-day meeting. I wanted to showcase the literary groups operating in our area. I also noticed a lack of space for the exchange of experiences between authors, as confirmed by the participants. These kinds of meetings foster connections, which gives hope for the consolidation of literary life and, over time, for concrete action. I hope the event will be held regularly."

To what extent can Podkarpacie compete with other regions as a setting for novels?

"The Podkarpacie region is beautiful and there are "cool" people here. It's a sign of local patriotism (laughter). You have to set the action in interesting places. Sometimes these places come to me on their own, for example, in "Wadliwy gene" (Faulty Gene) the Prządki rocks near Krosno appear. When I learned their legend, I realized it perfectly harmonized with what's in the book. However, I must admit that at first I was reluctant to show places I often visit, but that probably stemmed from my creative immaturity – so that someone wouldn't think the story was about me. People appreciate being able to find themselves in a specific place when reading a book; it makes the story more real. It's also a record of history, because a certain place might disappear in a moment, for example, the café my heroine used to frequent."

What else do you do apart from literature?

"I do handicrafts – mainly decoupage, but I can also crochet and knit. I've also tried my hand at painting icons. I love solitary hikes, which give me space to think. And since my daughter lives in Norway, I often visit the country and set some of my novels there. However, I devote most of my time to writing. I'm currently waiting for the next two installments of "The Faulty Gene" to be published and I'm looking for a publisher for other works. I'm also planning a novel based on the true story of my father's aunt, who fought in the Home Army. Unfortunately, most of the historical sources about this figure no longer exist – my father was the last person who remembered the details. I only have fragments of family stories left, but I really want to save this story from oblivion, especially since it's connected to the history of Rzeszów."

So, we're looking forward to new books and more exciting events. Thank you for the interview.

Joanna Lorenowicz