Ladies and Gentlemen,

on the eve of this year’s edition of the festival, let me begin by expressing my gratitude for the success of our gatherings under the banner of values essential to theatre arts in an atmosphere of artistic independence and mutual respect in the past eight years. It was not easy. We have faced political smear campaigns, blacklisting in the media and grant competitions, and a ludicrous cultural war in which creative minds were accused of “un-Polishness”. Do you recall how contempt was flaunted towards our work, while derogatory terms like dziadostwo (“trash”) led to attacks on the foundations of operation of numerous institutions. That was a challenging and unfair reality, fuelled with irresponsibility and political cynicism.

The more radical the hate speech, the stronger were the resistance of artists and the power of their art. We have always INTRO been able to rely on our loyal audience, who lend such a power to the sense of our pursuits on stage. We owe it to them to speak with honesty and without compromise while standing up for those whose voices are seldom heard. We will make every effort not to fail in these expectations. 

This festival could not take place without the alliance of Kraków’s cultural institutions. I address words of special gratitude to the Mayor of Kraków and the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage for their generous support. At the same time I extend my thanks to the Adam Mickiewicz Institute and all our partners.

I wholeheartedly thank the Artists, Audience, Volunteers, the entire theatre community, and the Team who prepared this Boska Komedia / Divine Comedy. Jesteście tacy zajebiści!!

Bartosz Szydłowski

Director of the Festival