Arianie

The show, in various contexts — local, historical and contemporary — looks at the phenomenon of one of the most fascinating religious, intellectual and social movements that operated in our lands: the community of the Polish Brothers, called by opponents the Arians. Operating in the 16th and 17th centuries, the Polish Brothers put forward groundbreaking social, religious and ethical postulates for their time: they wanted to introduce full religious tolerance, the abolition of social divisions, gender equality, universal access to education and pacifism. Arianism was able to develop in the Republic of Poland thanks to edicts guaranteeing religious freedom unheard of in other countries of Europe at the time — and its representatives were famous for their excellent education and broad intellectual horizons. However, the development of Arianism was quickly and brutally interrupted by the increasing persecution of Protestant movements. The final end to its development was laid by the accusation of the Polish Brothers of favoring the Swedish king in the war against the Polish Republic and officially banning the functioning of the movement.

The presentation raises the question of the possibility of the existence of the Aryan congregation today — a space for the exchange of ideas, political and religious freedom, a utopian community going through divisions in society. It explores the possibility of a radical ethical community that combines its own convictions with respect for pluralism. It also provides an opportunity to confront the problem of individual faith in the clash with institutional religiosity, raising the question of a vision of Christianity radically different from the one currently prevailing in Poland. Is it possible to think differently about our country, about community, about public debate, about faith and religion? Would the Arian utopia, if it had escaped persecution, manage to survive, turning the Republic of Poland into the most progressive and developed country in Europe?

The starting point of the play is an author's drama written for six voices, created for six actors playing in ever new characters, representing successive generations of Polish “brothers” and “sisters” and their religious opponents. The art was created thanks to the Creative Scholarship of the City of Krakow 2019.

Told with a distance and witty, the history of the Polish Arians against the background of the European Reformation becomes a story of a country of tolerance and freedom, fresh minds, with open arms welcoming newcomers, to which secessionists and freethinkers from all over Europe are drawn from all over Europe. And how this half-dreamed, open-minded Republic ultimately lost in the face of retrograde Roman Catholic obscurantism. And this warning against the alliance of the altar and the throne — strongly echoed in the finale of Bukowski's play — is very timely. Michał Centkowski, “Newsweek” ・ Duplicated roles: October 20, 21 — Przemysław Przezelski

The performance took part in the 28th National Competition for the Exhibition of Polish Contemporary Art.

Prizes and Trips:

XIV International Festival of Divine Comedy, Kraków — award for directing for Beniamin M. Bukowski

2023 — 14th Festival New Epiphany Warsaw