"With Milosz on a bike" - a journey through Alsace
15.06.2024
Czesław Miłosz emphasised that Europe was his homeland. In connection with the celebrations of Milosz Year commemorating the 20th anniversary of the poet's death, promotion of cycling diplomacy on the occasion of World Cycling Day, the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the Council of Europe organised a cycling expedition entitled "With Milosz on a Bike".
On 15 June 2024, a group of cyclists consisting of diplomats, representatives of Member States at the Council of Europe, followed in the footsteps of Czesław Miłosz to the Alsatian town of Mittelbergheim, where there is a plaque commemorating the Polish Nobel laureate's visit in 1951. On site, the participants learned about Czesław Miłosz's biography, literary output, and listened to a poem bearing the title of this picturesque town.
As well as promoting the poet's work, the event made reference to World Bicycle Day, an initiative which here in Alsace brings together many loyal fans. The extraordinary natural features and cultural heritage treasures of the region, including the numerous vineyards spreading over the neighbouring hills, as well as the characteristic buildings of this part of France, allowed a better understanding of the inspiration accompanying the artist during his stay, which left a permanent trace in literature. As the poet himself wrote: The wine sleeps in barrels of Rhine oak. I am awakened by the bell of a church between the vineyards of Mittelbergheim.
Mittelbergheim is located on the Council of Europe's Cultural Route which is one of the most emblematic tours in France.
The artist's Alsatian impressions in his poem 'Mittelbergheim' are still relevant, delightful and thought-provoking, despite the passage of 70 years. We encourage you to read the piece, the text of which can be found at the following link: https://www.ronnowpoetry.com/contents/milosz/Mittelbergheim.html
A commemorative plaque dedicated to Czesław Miłosz as a public diplomacy action of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented at the time by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Poland to the Council of Europe, Ms Urszula Gacek, was founded in 2014 in Mittelbergheim to mark the 10th anniversary of the poet's death.
