Romanticism. Crumble

“Romanticism. Zgliszcza” is a very personal, intimate monodrama by Ksaweri Szlenkier. The script of the play was composed by the actor from the poems of Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński, the Warsaw Insurgent, who died on August 4, 1944 during the battles for the Blank Palace at the Teatralny Square.

The title of the play can be read in at least two ways. The first, immediately imposing, speaks of the fact that there are ruins left of romanticism, that the brutality of war has destroyed all the noble impulses of the human heart. The second, less obvious, contrasts romanticism and crushes. In this interpretation, romanticism appears as a force capable of surviving the hell of war. Not only that — it represents hope, salvation, a chance to preserve humanity in a time raging around violence and barbarism.

This idea patronizes the spectacle. Show that the word of the poet can sound, and it sounds! , louder than the bang of bombs, rifle shots, the shouting of genocidal commands. That it was this that finally overcame hatred by conveying to us the truth about the human soul. It is capable of cruelty, but what determines its essence is not at all the ease with which it surrenders to evil, but its faithfulness to goodness, beauty, love. Baczyński's poems are not only excellent poetry, but also — and above all — a testament to his steadfast commitment to what is most human in man.

During the performance are performed, among others, such works by the author of “Elegy about the Polish Boy” as: “Ars Poetica”, “Song of Happiness”, “Erotik”, “Generation”, “Desires”. They are accompanied by live music, combining classical cello sound with electronics, as well as video projections and visualizations. All these measures serve to emphasize the beauty and power of the word, the meanings it contains, passions, doubts, hopes, thoughts and emotions.

Ksaweri Szlenkier's grandfather, Karol, was a schoolmate of Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński from Stefan Batory High School. They went to the same class. He was also a Warsaw insurgent. Now his grandson, in the words of Baczyński, tells the story of a generation that in the hell of war loved, wanted to live and believe in the humanity of man.