Stefan zeromski wrote novels, stories, and plays, while Stanislaw Wyspianski was a playwright. I and II, a number of talented writers appeared. The most notable were the poets Julian Tuwim and Kazimierz Wierzynski and the novelists Maria Jaroslaw Iwaszkiewicz,and Jan Parandowski. Some writers, such as Marek Hlasko, wrote pessimistic novels about Polish life, while Slawomir MroZek went into exile in 1968 rather than continue writing in Poland. Stanislaw Lem gained fame abroad for his science-fiction stories.
Music is a significant part of Polish culture.
Poland's greatest composer was Frederic Chopin, whose work reflects the Polish national spirit. Also in the 19th century were Stanislaw Moniuszko, who composed the first national opera, 'Halka', in 1847, and the violinist-composer Henryk Wieniawski. There are a number of symphony orchestras and chamber music groups. Folk music is very much alive in Poland. It is often played to accompany traditional dances such as the mazur, krakowiak, and kujawiak.