Józef Ondrusz

Józef Ondrusz (18 March 1918 – 27 May 1996) was a Polish teacher, writer and folklorist from the Zaolzie region of Cieszyn Silesia.

Józef Ondrusz
Józef Ondrusz
Born	(1918-03-18)18 March 1918 Darków, Austrian Silesia
Died	27 May 1996(1996-05-27) (aged 78) Darków, Czech Republic
Resting place	Stonawa
Occupation	Folklorist and writer
Language	Polish, Cieszyn Silesian dialect
Citizenship	Czechoslovak, Czech
Notable works	Godki śląskie

Ondrusz was born in the village of Darków to a coal miner. He graduated from a Polish grammar school in Fryštát and later from teachers' seminary in Ostrava. After World War II Ondrusz taught at the Polish school in Darkov and wrote several schoolbooks for Polish schools in Zaolzie. He also co-founded magazines for children, Jutrzenka and Ogniwo.[1] He was an active member of PZKO (Polish Cultural and Educational Union) and also became active in the Polish scouting in Czechoslovakia. He earned a doctorate in 1972 for his thesis Proza ludowa Śląska Cieszyńskiego 1845-1970 (Folk Prose of Cieszyn Silesia 1845-1970).[2]

Ondrusz was fascinated by the culture and traditions of Cieszyn Silesia and was a keen collector of everything related to regional culture. He eventually published traditional folk fables, proverbs and stories, often literally adapting them.

He wrote his works in literary Polish and in the local dialect. His works focus mostly on regional folklore, culture and fables.

Ondrusz also contributed to the popularization of bookplates in Cieszyn Silesia in the 1960s. Many notable Polish and Czech artists made bookplates for him.[3]

Józef Ondrusz died in Darków and is buried at the Lutheran cemetery in the nearby village of Stonawa.