I am a graduate of the Institute of Russian Studies at the University of Łódź, and a student of one of the pioneers of Polish literary translation studies, Prof. Zygmunt Grosbart, who supervised my master’s thesis (1985), guided my doctoral studies (defended in 1993), and supported my further career. I secured an assistant position just before defending my doctoral dissertation—prior to that, I was employed in a technical-engineering role at the Interdepartmental Department of Translation Theory. I can therefore say that I know university work inside out, especially since I have progressed through all stages of an academic career—from assistant (at the Interdepartmental Department of Translation Theory), through doctoral studies and an assistant professor position (at the Institute of Russian Studies), then habilitation (2000) and university professorship, to extraordinary professorship and obtaining the title of professor (2013), and later full professorship (currently a full professor position).

Since October 2025, I have been heading the Department of Translation and Linguistics at the Institute of East European Studies, University of Łódź. Previously, I spent several years as Head of the Department of Translation and Didactics at the Institute of Russian Studies, and before that, I led the Chair (later Department) of Russian Literature. In my work and related interests, I primarily focus on teaching the theory, criticism, and practice of translation. I am the author of monographs on translation studies and contemporary Russian literature, as well as translations from Russian and Ukrainian.

Apart from my work-related interests, which focus on literary and translation studies, my passion is translating poetry, an activity I approach somewhat like solving crosswords, which I also enjoy. Besides that, I love reading—it has always been a passion of mine. I enjoy listening to classical music, which helps me relax, and Latin music, which makes me want to dance. I also enjoy traveling, exploring new places, and getting to know new people, customs, and foods.

When I think about my achievements, the first thing that comes to mind is my academic career. I believe that obtaining a professorship is undoubtedly an accomplishment. Nevertheless, what brings me the most joy is that my books are not merely decorations on shelves, but are actually used by other educators and scholars in their work, and read by students. I am also pleased by the achievements of my students and doctoral candidates, one of whom has already obtained the habilitation degree.

Outside of academia, I consider the publication of a poetry collection and a number of translations to be personal successes, including the poems of Tsvetaeva in a bilingual volume edited by Andrey Bazilevsky, as well as her Poem of the Mountain and Poem of the Border, and the publication of the cycle Medallions in a monograph devoted to this work by Igor Severyanin. Another success is my interdisciplinary collaboration with musicologist Jerzy Stankiewicz, which resulted in the publication of music notebooks and recordings of works by the father-and-son composers Regamey, with my consultation, essay, and translation of Russian texts.

Recently, I have also undertaken translation projects involving the poetry and prose of Ukrainian authors (Oleksandr Korotkyi, Vyacheslav Medvid). I also consider having a family to be one of my successes. Without their support, I would likely not have been able to achieve all that brings me joy today.