Janusz Korczak - in Popular Culture

In Popular Culture

In addition to theater, opera, TV, and film adaptations of his works, such as King Matt the First and Kaytek the Wizard, there have been a number of works about Korczak, inspired by him, or featuring him as a character.

Books:

  • Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli (2003) – Doctor Korczak runs an orphanage in Warsaw where the main character often visits him
  • Moshe en Reizele (Mosje and Reizele) by Karlijn Stoffels (2004) – Mosje is sent to live in Korczak's orphanage, where he falls in love with Reizele. Set in the period 1939-1942. Original Dutch, German translation available. No English version as of 2009.
  • Once by Morris Gleitzman (2005), partly inspired by Korczak, featuring a character modeled after him
  • Kindling by Alberto Valis (Felici Editori, 2011), Italian thriller novel. The life of Korczak through the voice of a Warsaw ghetto's orphan. As of 2011, no English translation.
  • The Time Tunnel - Kingdom of the Children by Galila Ron-Feder-Amit (2007) is an Israeli children's book in the Time Tunnel series that takes place in Korczak's orphanage.

Stage plays:

  • Dr Korczak and the Children by Erwin Sylvanus (1957)
  • Korczak's Children by Jeffrey Hatcher (2003)
  • Dr Korczak's Example by David Greig (2001)
  • The Children's Republic by Hannah Moscovitch (2009)

Musicals:

  • Korczak by Nick Stimson and Chris Williams (2011) presented by Youth Music Theatre: UK at the Rose Theatre, Kingston in August 2011.

Film:

  • Korczak, written by Agnieszka Holland, directed by Andrzej Wajda (1990)

Television:

  • Studio 4: Dr Korczak and the Children - BBC adaptation of Sylvanus's play, written and directed by Rudolph Cartier (13 March 1962)

Music:

  • Korczak's Orphans – opera, music by Adam Silverman, libretto by Susan Gubernat (2003)
  • Kaddish – long poem/song by Alexander Galich (1970)
  • Kung Mattias I - opera, music by Viggo Edén, from writings by Korczak, given World Premiere at Höör's Summer Opera (Sweden) on 9 August 2012.

Astronomy:

  • Asteroid 2163 Korczak is named in his honor.

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