She was an incredible woman and appropriately, it was an unusual funeral. Life in Cracow stopped for a while and politicians, writers, actors, and “regular people” from all walks of life congregated at the Rakowiecki Cemetery to honour Wislawa Szymborska – a poetess, Nobel prize winner, humanist, and overall awesome and humble human being. The funeral was conducted as a civil ceremony and the speeches were read out by those who knew her best. It is worth quoting her secretary, Michal Rusinek:
“Ms. Wislawa, looking at these gathered crowds I can’t help thinking what you would have said. You’d probably think they are here by coincidence or really on their way somewhere else and got lost going to a football game… Before your death you said you had a good, interesting life and were lucky to know the people you have known…I wonder what you’re doing now. You’re pessimistic vision was sitting at a little table and being forced to autograph your poetry. Optimistic option: Ella Fitzgerald, your favourite songstress, is in heaven so I suppose you’re listening to her.”
