Short Tensions - Literary Workshops

We kindly inform you about the lack of free places for the event.

During the 16th edition of Poetry Night, as part of the festival “City for Adults”, we invite you to a two-day writing workshop, using the aesthetics of horror and horror novels. Participants will create very short stories — literary miniatures in which you can fit the whole world on one page.

The starting point and inspiration will be Adam Ważyk's “Poem for Adults”, as well as Nowa Huta, its space, details, atmosphere and what at first glance remains invisible. Under the supervision of the presenters - writers Katarzyna Kobylarczyk and Barbara Sadurska - the participants will look at adulthood: not as a ready state, but as an experience full of tensions, decisions and medicines. The two-day workshop will be devoted to building tension, creating surreal heroes, using urban detail and consciously leaving the most important things untold. From the combination of Nowa Huta, fear and imagination, short stories with a thrill will be created.

The workshops are part of the 16th edition of Poetry Night, during which we look at adulthood. Poetry and literature become a way of talking about what it actually means to be an adult? Where does growing up end and responsibility for one's own choices begins? And what happens along the way — between what others expect of us and who we want to become? We reflect on what is personal, but at the same time common: about maturation, identity, responsibility, rebellion, alienation and the boundaries we try to cross.

The workshops take place in one cycle and include two meetings. Participation in both parts is required.

Dates: • 10 October, 10 am — 1 pm — Part I • 11 October, 10 am — 1 pm — Part II

Conducting workshops:

Katarzyna Kobylarczyk — reporter, journalist and writer, author of books such as “Fairy Tales from the Block of Miracles. Reportage from Nowa Huta”, “Women of Nowa Huta. Bricks, pearls and firecrackers”, “Scab. Spain is tearing its wounds.” Winner of the Ryszard Kapuściński Prize and the Krakow Prize of the UNESCO City of Literature. In her work, she deals with memory, untold stories and the social consequences of human choices. Member of the Nowohuc Heritage Laboratory of the Norwida Cultural Centre.

Barbara Sadurska — writer, lawyer and lecturer in creative writing at the Jagiellonian University. She is the author of “Maps”, “The Black Hetman” and the dystopian novel “Bajka, Bajeczka”. Winner of the Witold Gombrowicz Prize and the Krakow Prize of the UNESCO City of Literature. In his books, he addresses the themes of evil, violence and moral ambiguity. Member of the Board of the Literary Union.

Meeting designed for adults.
Participation in the workshop is free, but requires registration to the email address: nhlab@okn.edu.pl
Registration for the workshop is open until October 8, 2026, 3 p.m. Enrollment covers both dates, as the workshops are one cycle and both meetings must be attended.
The number of places is limited, participation is determined by the order of applications. We sign up for both dates, the workshops are treated as a whole.
If you have additional needs that we should know about so that you can comfortably, safely and fully participate in the event, please let us know about them when you register by email.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS slam City For Adults 16 night of poetry docx11 kB