“Asterix on Olympic heels.” From now on, the Gauls speak Silesian

Egmont Publishing House has scheduled the album’s premiere on June 12. The comic book was translated into Silesian by Grzegorz Buchalik:

Translating Asterix into Silesian was great fun. As always, Monsieur Goscinny gave some interesting puzzles for the translator – word games. The help of consultants on the Silesian side (four generations of Silesians helped) and the French side was useful. We finally have it! We’re going to… Szpile Ôlimpid!

The adventures of Kajko and Kokosz, characters created by Janusz Christa, had already been translated into Silesian. In 2021, the volume “In the country of Borostrszaków” was published. Buchalik was also responsible for the translation.

And in Silesian

– It started with the fact that he was the first to propose translating their books into Silesian – the translator about cooperation with Egmont in an interview with “Dziennik Zachodni”. – Three years ago, however, “Kajko i Kokosz” appeared in Silesian, although from the beginning it was proposed to be Asterix and Obelix. But the issue of copyright came up, and it was easier to manage “Kajko and Kokosz”, which was suggested to me by the publisher. And that’s how my cooperation with Egmont began. Then I made “Mikołojka” at the Silesia Progress publishing house. And that’s what I’m most proud of so far. It took a lot of work and the effect is nice. Terozki went back to Asterix, and in Łódź I wrote to Egmont to see if anyone was interested and it worked. We signed the contract at the end of November – he says.

Grzegorz Buchalik is an ethnologist and archivist historian by profession. Professionally, he is a transport specialist, translator from French. He published in “Dziennik Zachodni” (“Ślōnski Fusbal” blog) and on the Wachtyrz.eu website. After hours, he translates into Silesian.

What are Asterix and Obelix doing at the Olympics?

The volume “Asterix at the Olympic Games” (“Asterix aux Jeux Olympiques”) was published in 1968 on the occasion of the Winter Olympics in Grenoble. What are the authors of the comic talking about in this part? The Aquarium camp is spreading the news that the extremely athletic Klaudiusz Twarddzielus will represent Rome at the Olympic Games. Fearless Gauls also want to take part in the competition, but they do not meet the basic criteria – only native Greeks and free Hellenic citizens can participate in the competition (Romans are tolerated).

So the Gauls introduce themselves as Romans and send their bravest companions – Asterix and Obelix. But how can they use the magic potion if the participants are banned from doping? Asterix himself enters the competition, but without any support he loses. The situation may be saved by Panoramix’s trick…