Slawomir Mrozek: PAP/Jacek Turczyk (archive)
Culture Minister Bogdan Zdrojewski reflected that Mrożek had “no equal” in his ability to unmask cultural and social myths through the grotesque and black humour.
“Mrozek’s output is not only a treasure trove of literary conventions and motifs but also a highly original analysis of modern times,” Zdrojewski declared in a statement published on the ministry's official web site.
“It will forever remain a point of reference in the history of world literature and theatre,” he added.
Award-winning actor Olgierd Lukasiewicz told the TVN 24 news channel that Mrozek was “one of the world's most important artists.”
Mrozek was celebrated for his darkly comic style and predilection for the absurd. One of his early books, a collection of short stories named The Elephant, published in 1957, was a satire on life in Poland under a totalitarian system.
His best-known plays are Tango, The Emigrees, The Ambassador and Love in the Crimea.
Mrozek first emigrated from communist Poland in 1963. Following the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, he wrote a protest letter and fell foul of the Polish regime.
Having lived in France for 22 years, he then moved to Italy, the United States, Germany and Mexico. He returned to Poland in 1996 and lived in Krakow for several years.
Funeral to be held in Krakow
Meanwhile, Mrozek is due to be laid to rest in Krakow, according to his last will.
His remains will be brought to Poland by his Mexican wife but no date has yet been announced.
Meanwhile, thousands of people are expected to pay tribute in a book of condolence which is on display at the Town Hall in Krakow.
Born in Borzecin in the Krakow region, Mrożek lived in the city of Krakow for many years.
He attended high school there and studied architecture, Oriental philosophy and the fine arts in Krakow.
He also began his career in journalism, cabaret and theatre there. In 1990 he received the honorary citizenship of Krakow and six years later, having returned to Poland after over three decades abroad, he settled in Krakow and lived there until 2008, when he left Poland again for Nice. It was there that Mrozek died yesterday, aged 83. (mk/nh)