Pierre Van Cutsem
Pierre Van Cutsem
Pierre Van Cutsem, PhD candidate in literary studies at the University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland
My PhD thesis, directed by Prof. Katarzyna Gadomska, constitutes a study of the characteristics of Stefan Grabiński’s weird fiction. I am particularly interested in Central European weird/fantastic fiction from the first half of the 20th century and the reception thereof. I hold two Master’s degrees from the Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium). The first in Germanic languages and literatures (2015) and the second in Slavic languages and literatures (2018). My second Master’s thesis — written in the framework of a joint degree programme between the Université Libre de Bruxelles and the University of Warsaw (Poland) focusing on Central Europe — was devoted to Stefan Grabiński’s short stories.
In the framework of my PhD thesis I have (co-)organised or participated to numerous events (talks, exhibitions, movie screenings, etc.) popularising Central European weird fiction both in Poland and abroad. In October 2023 Czech editor Protimluv published under the title Vila nad mořem the only known translation of a play by Stefan Grabiński. I co-edited the volume with weird fiction specialist Martin Jiroušek.
In parallel with my research activities, I am a literary translator and a French teacher. In November 2018 the Visage Vert’s magazine published my translation of two short stories by Polish weird fiction writer Stefan Grabiński along with a critical and biographical introduction to the author’s work. Further translations were published in November 2022. Teaching French for various public and private institutions is also an inseparable part of my life. It is with great pleasure and immense satisfaction that I teach learners of almost all ages.
On a more personal level, I like travelling, meeting interesting people and learning new languages. I am also an aficionado of Goth and post-punk music.
The Polish Doctoral Research Fellowship at the Wirth Institute gives me the unique opportunity both to promote Polish culture abroad and study Canadian weird fiction in order to compare it to Central European works.
Contact
E-mail: vancutse@ualberta.caTelephone: 780.716.9350
Address:
University of Alberta
Wirth Institute for Austrian and Central European Studies
300-E
Arts & Convocation Hall
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6G 2E6