Krzysztof Karwowski (born 1971 in Nowa Ruda) – poet, polish author and conceptualist of European haiku, sociocultural animator of a Polish-Czech borderland. As a poet he made his debut in 1995. Multiple laureate of literary prizes. His works were frequently published in Poland, as well in Canada, Holland, Serbia, France, Czech Republic and Brazil. Author of a few books, translator and editor of publications with Czech poetry translations. Living permanently in Nowa Ruda (Poland).

(Polish) Krzysztof Karwowski (ur. 1971 r. w Nowej Rudzie) – poeta, poeta i konceptualista haiku europejskiego, społeczny animator kultury pogranicza polsko-czeskiego. Jako poeta debiutował w 1995 r. Laureat wielu konkursów literackich. Wielokrotnie publikowany w pismach w Polsce, a także w Kanadzie, Holandii, Serbii, Francji, Republice Czeskiej i Brazylii. Autor kilku pozycji książkowych, a także tłumacz i redaktor zbiorów z przekładami poezji. Na stałe mieszka w Nowej Rudzie.

(French) Krzysztof Karwowski est né en 1971 à Nowa Ruda. Il est membre de l'Association des poètes polonais, du groupe NKL Ogma et cofondateur de Poeci '97, une association de poètes polonais et tchèques, qui ont publié le recueil collectif Wiersze dla kilku przyjaciol (1997). Sculpteur et artiste multi-disciplinaire, il a participé à quelques expositions individuelles et collectives. Il a publié le recueil de poèmes Obieg w Naturze (NKL Ogma, 1995) et diverses traductions de poèmes en langue allemande.

Traduction: Guillaume Charoux-Belkowich, 1997

Presentation of my region: Owl Mountains (Góry Sowie)

I am living in Nowa Ruda in Sudety Mountains (Lower Silesia), near Polish-Czech borderline. The town of Nowa Ruda is located in the valley of Rudawka and Wlodzica Rivers between Stone Mountains and Owl Mountains, where the Landscape Park was created in 1991. South of Nowa Ruda lie The Table Mountains, in which The Nature Reserve Szczeliniec Wielki and The Nature Reserve Bledne Skaly are situated. At the Czech side of the border, in Broumov, we can also find very attractive historic and nature places.
You can find more information at the web sites: www.sudety.it and www.broumov.cz

What do you prefer in haiku?

I think the important thing about haiku is heading to satori with ZEN idea. Hokku poems must stand to one's criterion of ZEN philosophy. However, it doesn't have to stay narrowly by syllabic division 5/7/5 (in slavish languages it is not a big trammel). I also admit a form of poem with two or one verse.