Jan Kapela, a patocelebrita and alleged poet, known for his controversial achievements, was awarded a scholarship by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage for creating songs. The amount of support is PLN 6 1000 per month, which gives a full of PLN 60 1000 for the implementation of his work. According to reports, ‘Super Express‘, The band is to compose songs to a musical about abortion law in Poland. However, the scholarship has raised a number of controversy, as the revealed texts for which the ministry paid are full of profanity and contain anti-clerical content.
Controversial Texts of the Chapel
In the texts published by “Super Express”, Chaplain contained offensive and vulgar content that became an inflammatory point in the public debate. An example is “The Song of the parent of God” which starts with vulgar phrases:
“As a parent of God, I am joyful
But erstwhile I'm pissed off, be afraid.
You're going down to the sink, spring's not coming,
First spits on you, then aborts”
Another piece, entitled “Jasno Góra vows of the Polish Nation”, besides evokes controversy. The text clearly mocks religions and Catholic symbols:
"Jasno Góra vows of the Polish Nation
Blessed Virgin God, Blessed Mary
Queen of Poland and the World, parent of the Polish Nation
We, Polish Bishops and Royal Priests
We come to your throne
Queen of Poland – we promise!
We will surrender ourselves to you.
You're more awesome.
Than Our parent Mother Mother’
These and another texts have aroused outrage not only among representatives of the Church, but besides among people from different social backgrounds who believe that specified creativity should not be financed by the state.
Reactions of politicians and the cultural community
The behaviour of Kapela was met with the reaction of politicians, including Ursula Augustyn, vice-president of the Cultural Committee, who expressed concern at the decision of the competition committee. In an interview with “Super Express” she stressed:
"I very much hope that the competition committee is very reliable in assessing these proposals, and they take work for who they give money to. I do not know this case.”
Who's Jan Kapela?
Jan Kapela is simply a character who has already been controversial with her statements and actions. In 2021, he hosted Krzysztof Stanowski's "Hejt Park" program, where he caused quite a few confusion with his views, especially about the reprographic charge and salaries of the world's highest-paid footballers, including Robert Lewandowski. The band expressed the view that Lewandowski should be charged a taxation of 90%.
In addition, in 2023, Kapela became a hero of sensational past erstwhile he claimed to have been beaten in the Podwarszawska Zielonka by a man who was expected to attack him due to his offensive tattoo with the inscription "JP2GD", referring to Pope John Paul II. However, the prosecution dismissed the investigation, considering the perpetrator as unknown, even though later Kapela himself admitted that the full event was a ‘status’ aimed at promoting his individual in the media.
Requests and questions for backing controversial creators
The Ministry of Culture's granting of Jan Kapela a scholarship raises serious doubts about the limits of the backing of the work, which is controversial and can be considered harmful to the state's image. The public debate raises questions as to whether public funds should support creativity that offends certain social groups or institutions, specified as the Church, which plays an crucial function in Poland. The question is: What criteria find who receives specified scholarships?
The Ministry of Culture's decision besides raised questions about the function of art in public life. Should creative freedom besides include forms of expression that may be considered provocative or controversial? In this case, Kapela's work seems to be an example of where the boundaries between art, provocation and profanity are ambiguous, and decisions financing specified projects may make controversy and undermine citizens' assurance in cultural institutions.
Summary
Jan Kapela, receiving a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, was at the centre of controversy. The texts of his songs revealed by the media have sparked many reactions, both among politicians and citizens. On the 1 hand, creative freedom should be protected, on the another hand, questions about the state's work for financing controversial creativity are legitimate. What seems to be 1 of the top challenges of contemporary cultural policy is the ability to find a balance between supporting various forms of art and caring for cohesion and national dignity.
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Patocelebryta Jan Kapela receives PLN 60,000 scholarship from the Ministry of Culture
