9 December (Tuesday) | 6:00 PM | Juliusz Słowacki Theatre – Mirror Hall

FREE ADMISSION

Who are the people of Silesia today — in their diversity, everyday lives, and cultural imagination? How does Poland, and the world, look from an Upper Silesian perspective, shaped by the experience of borderlands, multiple languages, and deeply rooted values? And how did Silesian — once dismissed as mere “dialect” — evolve into a language of art, literature, and emancipation?

This conversation will explore Silesian distinctiveness: its culture, sensitivities, conflicts, and transformations. We will look at how theatre has not only reflected but actively participated in the reshaping of Silesian identity. We will ask about the role of women’s voices, the shifting landscape of masculinity, and what happens when a private “home language” begins to resonate publicly — on stage, in literature, and in civic debate.

We will also reflect on what it means to live between cultures and languages: when difference becomes a burden, when it becomes strength, and when — as many Silesians say — it becomes siła, a source of resilience and pride.

Speakers

• Beata Guczalska — theatre scholar, professor at the AST National Academy of Theatre Arts; author of acclaimed books on Jerzy Jarocki, Jerzy Trela and Konrad Swinarski
• Wojciech Śmieja — literary scholar, professor at the University of Silesia; researcher of gender, sexuality, and critical studies on masculinities
• Karolina Pospiszil — literary scholar at the University of Silesia; specialist in contemporary, multilingual Silesian literature; translator from Czech
• Robert Talarczyk — director, dramaturg, actor; Artistic Director of the Silesian Theatre; creator of key contemporary works about Silesia
• Aleksandra Klich — journalist, writer, podcast author (Piąta strona świata); director of the City and County Public Library in Rybnik

Moderation: Aleksandra Klich