The first part of the paper aims to outline the theoretical foundations and directions of research within the so-called performative turn. The emphasis is placed on the possibility of integrating performance studies – in its theatralogical, as well as philosophical, political and social dimensions – with literary studies. In the second part, referring to the theoretical background of performance studies sketched in the first part, the author focuses on the issues related to the performative presentation of the literary history, which involves a teller, as well as a listener. The author, above all, draws her reflections on the verbal literary history, which is considered as negotiations between the sides of a communication.