Forefathers' Eve

Perfectly realized and performed, moving and painful staging of a national drama.

By The Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Krakow

Adam Mickiewicz

Forefathers' Eve by Adam Mickiewicz, Maja KleczewskaThe Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Krakow

‘Forefathers' Eve’ Anno Domini 2021 is a play about Poland. A community of a bloody ritual and the conformist salon are the two faces of Poland, encountered by Wyspiański along with the spectres at the same wedding.

Forefathers' Eve by Adam Mickiewicz, Maja KleczewskaThe Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Krakow

Today these two types of Poland are our everyday reality – two nations fighting against each other. The Poets stand between the warring sides in this fratricidal battle - they are lonely. Conservative Poland wants to own the Poets - to shut their mouths.

Forefathers' Eve by Adam Mickiewicz, Maja KleczewskaThe Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Krakow

To appropriate national history, to rewrite it. To write idyllic, heroic, and innocent history. One can suffocate from this innocence. The 'salon' Poland, with its conformism, with no ideas for the future, desires only prosperity and peace.

Forefathers' Eve by Adam Mickiewicz, Maja KleczewskaThe Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Krakow

This repetitive drama seems to have no end. Today it is visible - we are blinded by it and see no solution.

Forefathers' Eve by Adam Mickiewicz, Maja KleczewskaThe Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Krakow

The Poet's voice will resonate distinctly and tragically in this world - with God or at least despite God.

Credits: Story

Concept and implementation: Anna Brajner-Guzik
Photographs: Bartek Barczyk

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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