„Old narratives are like a zombie. They look alive, but they are dead” - said Prof. Bartłomiej Dobroczyński, referring to generational differences during the opening debate of the day about Gen Z and Boomers. In the similar tone, we ended second day of the festival on meeting with Łukasz Twarkowski who constantly seeks new forms for his theatre.

"In a meeting led by the festival curator Jacek Cieślak, the director spoke about how people perceive themselves in analogy to what we know about the world. When classical Newtonian physics was at the top, we focused on the state of the individual – now in the era of quantum physics, we are beginning to talk, perceive the world and ourselves in terms of mutual interactions.

Such particle entanglement is depicted, among other things, in the visually and technologically stunning Quanta. Questions from the audience concerned whether the director is attempting to push the boundaries of the viewer's perception and use theatrical methods to lead us into a narcotic trance-like state. The affirmative answer also led to a discussion about exploring boundaries during the work on the earlier „Respublica”. The most important information for viewers captivated by this type of spatial and narrative creation is that „Quanta” is only the first part of a triptych inspired by science - the next part will focus on breaking the Enigma code and our relationship with artificial intelligence.

Everything, everywhere, all at once

Because that is the structure of the festival: choosing your own path is necessary. At 4 pm. on the main stage at Starowiślna 55/6, was presented a "Do I Have to Remember This? Hamlet," directed by Dariusz Starczewski. At 5 pm. on the main stage at the National Stary Theatre, the second showing of "Mothers. A song for wartime," directed by Marta Górnicka, took place. At 7 pm., viewers had four performances to choose from: at the Barakah Theatre, the showcase 'Requiem for Dreams' directed by Michał Nowicki; at the TVP S-3 Studio in Łęg, the previously mentioned 'Quanta' directed by Łukasz Twarkowski; at Cricoteka, 'Books of Jacob' directed by Krzysztof Garbaczewski; and 'Phobia' directed by Markus Öhrn and Karol Radziszewski at the Łaźnia Nowa Theatre.

It’s important to talk

The day started at noon with a meeting titled „Zetki na dziadersów! Ścierać się czy uczyć od siebie?" with Professor Bartłomiej Dobroczyński (a psychologist and someone whom students describe as the 'antithesis of a boomer') at the Bunkier Sztuki Gallery,  excellently led by Aga Kozak. As planned by the organizers, in the debate, the professor was supposed to discuss with a representative of Generation Z, who, however, for reasons beyond her control, did not make it to the Bunkier Sztuki. Those who know the professor's erudition and sense of humor can only imagine that it was a very successful, almost solo event. "I've been working at the university for 44 years. I don't know a better lesson in humility than when you are involved in science and teach young people," said the professor. "Science is methodically organized skepticism. A scientist is someone who prefers to know why they don't know, rather than not knowing why they know. Science is also an obsession with checking everything." – he added

„We have no [the older generations – ed.] convincing narrative to offer Gen Z. All old narratives are dead. They are like zombies – they look alive, but they are dead.” Aga Kozak agreed, adding, „If you want to lead someone, you have to seduce them, not scare them. A narrative about the end of the world, a catastrophe, will not attract anyone.” Dobroczyński said, „You can be a boomer in one thing, and at the same time be open in others. Rock and roll saves me. I especially enjoy feminist vegan music bands, I have a constant flow of new information, and my students teach me new things. They tell me about their problems, I have continuous contact with them. I'm open to these ideas. I don't want to say that it was better before. There is wonderful music and art now. The important thing is to talk” - said Prof. Dobroczyński.

Plewiński, Kosiński, Berlińska on Szajna

In the same place, an hour later took place the Krakow premiere of Agnieszka Berlińska’s book „Szajna. Szajnisko. Portret zakulisowy”. The meeting was conducted by the editor-in-chief of Trójka, Agnieszka Szydłowska and was attended by: author of the book Agnieszka Berlińska, legend of Polish photography, photographer Wojciech Plewiński and professor Dariusz Kosiński. At the very beginning of the meeting, Anna Polony read a fragment of a reportage about Józef Szajna. The author spoke about the idea and the work behind the book; listening to radio recordings, working with archival materials, conversations with the director's family, actors, and friends, as well as discovering and decoding Szajna's handwritten notes on napkins. „I came across the notes on napkins almost at the final stage of working on the book. They fell out of folders and notebooks, there were many of them. On these napkins, Szajna reveals himself as uncontrolled, separate,” Agnieszka Berlińska said. „It seems to me that Szajna was wronged by being pigeonholed as a moral authority. I was interested in going beyond the official, well-known portrait. When I started working on the book, I had no idea what I was getting into,” - said the author of the reportage and biography, as both forms are combined in „Szajna. Szajnisko. Portret zakulisowy” The book can be purchased at the Bunkier Sztuki bookshop.

Grzegorz Nurek, 
współpraca: Patrycja Śmich i Aleksandra Bałda

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Photo by Dawid Ścigalski