Polish Bethlehem

The Polish Bethlehem of Lucian Rydel premiered at the end of 1904 in Lviv. The author — today remembered mainly as the prototype of the character of the groom from Stanisław Wyspiański's Wedding — wrote his drama just before the outbreak of the 1905 revolution — a somewhat forgotten outburst, which some historians call the next Polish uprising. The play quickly gained popularity on Polish stages. In the story of Christmas, she also inscribed the history of Poland and Poles, recalling the former greatness and giving hope for the future.

It was staged and updated many times until 1939. After 1945, due to the religious and independence nature of Rydel's text, the authorities reluctantly agreed to its exhibition. Despite this, it returned to the theatres — it was played particularly intensively in the years 1981—1982, that is, during “Solidarity” and martial law. In the Juliusz Osterwa Theatre, The Polish Bethlehem was directed by Andrzej Rozhin in December 1987. The show quickly gained cult status and in retrospect can be considered a harbinger of upcoming changes.

Today, at the turn of 2025 and 2026, it is worth asking the question: what does this art tell us today? The director of the play Rafał Szumski, in accordance with the old custom, asked to add to the third act the current fragments of Maciej Wojtyszka — an outstanding director, playwright and screenwriter. Does the return of the Polish Bethlehem to the stage herald another great change? After all, there is still no shortage of Herods in the world, convinced that their power has no limits. In addition, the well-known story of the weak and defenseless Child, conquering evil and violence with the support of ordinary people, seems to be especially important and necessary not only in big and small politics, but also in our everyday life, where true hope is replaced by an often glued artificial smile.

The show features lighting effects, including strobe light.

The play The Polish Bethlehem was qualified for the Competition for the Staging of Ancient Works of Polish and European Literature “Living Classics”. The play was also staged during the 5th Festival of Masterpieces as part of the 64th Rzeszów Theatre Meetings.