The project “Cultural Bridges” was a mutual presentation of untranslated or recently translated – but not yet presented on stage – contemporary Polish and Russian dramas. We presented four Russian texts in Warsaw: “BA” by Julia Tupikina, “Anna Frank” by Asya Voloshyna, as well as “Ordinary Death” and “Lessons of Love” by Irina Vaskovskaya. In St. Petersburg, we presented four Polish dramas: “Gardenia” by Elżbieta Chowaniec, “Suitcase” by Małgorzata Sikorska-Miszczuk, “Amazonia” by Michał Walczak, and Sandra Szwarc’s drama “Supernova Live”, recommended by the Association of Polish Playwrights and Dramaturgs. During the project, we organized performative readings of the mentioned texts, prepared by Polish and Russian directors. After the readings, we invited the audience to meetings with the authors of the dramas and discussions. In addition to the authors of the texts, directors, and translators participating in the project, we also invited special guests: Ivan Vyrypaev, Andrzej Bubien, Veniamin Filshinsky, and Natalia Skorokhod. We discussed contemporary Polish and Russian drama, its development, the themes it tackles, and how it finds its way onto Polish and Russian stages. In addition to readings and discussions, we organized a “Dramaturgical Round Table,” which was attended by invited playwrights from Poland and Russia. We talked about our own inspirations, craft, issues related to copyright, promoting our own creativity, and other problems affecting theatrical authors in both countries. We also invited Polish and Russian audiences to participate in the “Dramaturgical Round Table” to familiarize themselves with the ways in which playwrights from both countries work. Thanks to meetings within “Cultural Bridges,” we were able to establish contacts and develop cooperation, guaranteeing the continuity of the project in the coming years.
Polish Part of the Project:
August 26, 3 PM, Teatr 6. Piętro, Main Stage Reading of the play “Ba” by Julia Tupikina directed by Maciej Wiktor. After the reading, there will be a meeting with Julia Tupikina. Special guests: Ivan Vyrypaev, Agnieszka Piotrowska, and Wojciech Urbański.
August 27, 3 PM, Teatr 6. Piętro, K.I. Gałczyński Room, Reading of the play “Anna Frank” by Asya Voloshyna directed by Evgeniya Baginska. After the reading, there will be a meeting with Asya Voloshyna. Special guests: Ivan Vyrypaev, Agnieszka Piotrowska, and Wojciech Urbański.
August 28, 1 PM, Teatr 6. Piętro, K.I. Gałczyński Room, Roundtable discussion with Polish and Russian playwrights and dramatists, with the participation of the audience. August 28, 3 PM, Teatr 6. Piętro, Main Stage Reading of the plays “Ordinary Death” and “Love Lessons” directed by Kamila Michalak. After the reading, there will be a meeting with Irina Waskowska. Special guests: Ivan Vyrypaev, Agnieszka Piotrowska, and Wojciech Urbański.
Russian Part of the Project:
September 30, 6 PM, Festival Theatre Baltiyskiy Dom, Stage 91 Reading of the play “Suitcase” by Malgorzata Sikorska-Miszczuk directed by Maria Seledets. After the reading, there will be a meeting with Malgorzata Sikorska-Miszczuk. Special guests: Wieniamin Filsztyński and Natalia Skorokhod.
October 1, 6 PM, Festival Theatre Baltiyskiy Dom, Stage 91 Reading of the plays “Supernova Live” by Sandra Szwarc and “Amazonia” by Michal Walczak, recommended by the Association of Polish Playwrights and Dramaturges, directed by Ruslan Kolousov. After the reading, there will be a meeting with Sandra Szwarc. Special guests: Wieniamin Filsztyński, Natalia Skorokhod, and Andrzej Bubień.
October 2, 1 PM, Festival Theatre Baltiyskiy Dom, Stage 91 Roundtable discussion with Polish and Russian playwrights and dramatists, with the participation of the audience.
October 2, 6 PM, Festival Theatre Baltiyskiy Dom, Stage 91 Reading of the play “Gardenia” by Elzbieta Chowaniec directed by Wojciech Urbanski. After the reading, there will be a meeting with Elzbieta Chowaniec. Special guests: Wieniamin Filsztyński and Natalia Skorokhod.
The project “Cultural Bridges” is partially funded by the Polish-Russian Centre for Dialogue and Understanding. The events are under the honorary patronage of ZASP – the Association of Polish Stage Artists.