Ethnicity Polish Religion Roman Catholicism Resting place Istebna | Citizenship Austrian, Polish Name Emanuel Grim | |
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Born 1 January 1883 ( 1883-01-01 ) Karwina, Austria-Hungary Occupation Catholic priest, writer Died October 18, 1950, Cieszyn, Poland | ||
Emanuel Grim (1 January 1883 – 18 October 1950) was a Polish Catholic priest, writer and journalist from the region of Cieszyn Silesia. He was one of the most important figures of the Polish-Catholic political camp in Cieszyn Silesia in the interwar period.
He was born in the coal mining town of Karvina to a coal miner's family. Grim graduated in 1904 from Polish gymnasium in Cieszyn and later studied theological studies in Vidnava and Wroclaw and on 23 August 1908 was ordained as a Catholic priest. Grim later worked as a vicar in Rychvald, Zebrzydowice, Jablunkov, Cieszyn and Brenna. He later worked as a priest in Gorki Wielkie and then, in 1917-1935 and 1937-1950 in Istebna. Grim also worked briefly in 1935-1937 in Skoczow.
Grim was a member of several organizations, including Zwiazek Slaskich Katolikow (Association of Silesian Catholics), of which he was a chairman in 1929-1939.
Grim was active not only in spiritual and political life of Cieszyn Silesia but also published his works in Zaranie Slaskie and Gwiazdka Cieszynska magazines (for long time under pen name Slazak) and wrote several books. In his works Grim often observes the life of Gorals from Istebna and appreciates their traditions and the beauty of the Silesian Beskids mountain range. Grim was a Polish patriot, stood against the policies of Germanization and Czechization; and always connected the fate of Cieszyn Silesia with the fate of whole Silesia and Poland. Religious motives can also be found in his works. He also organized amateur theatre plays.
Grim died on 18 October 1950 in Cieszyn and is buried in Istebna.