The Eye of the Tzaddik | Władysław Panas

“The Eye of the Tzaddik” is a metaphysical journey through Lublin. Prof. Władysław Panas saw it as a ‘City-Book’, echoing Dostoevsky’s sentiment towards St. Petersburg and Kafka’s towards Prague.

Prof. Panas had  planned to write an alternative guide to Lublin, intending to showcase the city’s magical uniqueness, reveal its hidden aura and spirit. He noticed Jewish symbolism in the layout of Castle Square, the abundance of tenement houses, and the presence of stone gargoyles. Unfortunately, only four chapters, threads of the work, were completed. “The Eye of the Tzaddik” is one such chapter, which is both the leading chapter and the only one published in book form during the author’s lifetime (UMCS Publishing House 2004, first published in Kresy, 1999). On the 10th anniversary of the author’s death, Warsztaty Kultury in Lublin prepared a new edition with intriguing illustrations that compare old and contemporary Lublin. It includes reproductions of magnificent copper engravings by Leon Urbański, photographs of Castle Square, and archival photos of the Jewish district collected by the Grodzka Gate – NN Theatre Centre. Additionally, this new edition includes an English version and a note about the author, prepared by Grzegorz Józefczuk, who is a journalist, editor, and artistic director of the International Bruno Schulz Festival.