Sport w życiu rodziny Curie w świetle korespondencji prywatnej

Abstract

The private life of Maria Skłodowska-Curie was and is of interest to the general public. During her lifetime she received numerous decorations, prizes, doctorates of honoris causa of many universities and honorary citizenship of various cities in recognition of her scientific work. After the death of the Nobel Prize winner, many books were devoted to her and written in various languages. In addition, paying homage to one of the most distinguished scientists of our time, different streets, squares, and universities were named after her. The experiences of personal life, the realities of everyday existence and the views of the scholar were included in private correspondence. It seems that in her whole adult life, when she could not afford a personal relationship with her loved ones, letters were a form of maintaining relationships with them, a therapy of a „longing soul” for a family home and a homeland. In the article, I analyzed the correspondence between a mother and her daughters: Irena and Ewa. In her letters, apart from reports from everyday experiences, issues related to physical culture take a significant place. We have over 50 references to physical activity on over 200 letters written by mother and daughters from 1905 to the death of Maria Skłodowska-Curie in 1934. From the letters between Maria and her daughters Irena and Ewa, it is clear that they had to deal with many sport disciplines: cycling, swimming, gymnastics, skiing, rowing, horse riding.