Olga Tokarczuk

On March 25th, Sorbonne University will award the title of Doctor Honoris Causa to eight international trailblazers. This prestigious distinction, awarded by the world's leading universities, is awarded in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the arts, literature, science and technology - and to France or our university.

What inspired you to explore magical realism in your work?

Olga Tokarczuk: I wouldn't say that my books necessarily fall into this rather simplistic category of “magical realism.” To me, this is a historical term that describes Ibero-American literature from the second half of the 20th century. I will say I often move beyond the boundaries of realist fiction because I believe it is impossible to represent the world solely through realist devices.

We perceive the world subjectively and emotionally, and we are susceptible to illusions. Moreover, we are influenced by myths, fairy tales, and contemporary representations— particularly from cinema. We also experience situations we never thought possible—that is, until they occur.

How has your background in psychology influenced your writing?

O.T.: My studies in psychology and my work with patients must have played a role. But whether this has truly influenced my way of writing, I have no idea. I don't know how I would write if I had studied, for example, bridge construction.

I believe that studying in general provides a sense of intellectual confidence, regardless of the subject. However, writing remains a vast effort of self-education, where the common denominator is curiosity about the world, the courage to express oneself in one’s own way, and the possession of a certain kind of knowledge that is not easy to identify.

What does this Doctor Honoris Causa from Sorbonne University mean to you? How do you view this distinction within the broader perspective of your career?

O.T.:  I am very pleased. This academic title is awarded by a prestigious university. I have great respect for academic work and for the university environment in general. Such a distinction proves that my books are taken seriously, that my artistic voice helps to understand the reality that surrounds us.

Sorbonne University promotes interdisciplinary research across literature, history, and social sciences. As you receive this award, how do you see your work—particularly its engagement with history, identity, and ecology—resonating with the intellectual mission of the university?

O.T.: In a sense, we as writers conduct a kind of scientific work, even if we do not always use strictly scientific methods. I consider the research I conduct for each book as a scientific endeavour—it involves gathering a vast amount of material, only to ultimately set it aside and use the collected data to create a different kind of truth in the story being told.

Literature is a field in which knowledge, intuition, emotions, and the need to intellectually organise the world come together.