The attack on the National Old Theatre. The Birth of a Nation

On March 21, terrorists carry out an attack on the National Old Theater. The act of violence entails decisions that permanently change the course of Polish history...

The attack on the National Old Theater combines the intimacy of testimony, visual momentum and new technologies. It is a journey through time, a moving pursuit of an alternative story about Poland and the world, for a better vision of the future. All arranged in the form of an epic tale of forging a “new nation” on the individual and collective experience of harm and crime.

The theme of Jakub Skrzywanek's latest play is mourning, related emotions, as well as the role of theatre and traditional and new media in creating stories about tragedy. Can we avoid turning the event into a collective trauma, going beyond the scheme of a Poland tortured and tormented, enslaved by the past? Does art have the power to free us from national vices and limitations? Can the premiere of Stanisław Wyspiański's Liberation interrupted by the “assassination” be saved?

The monthly has already started during the break — sorry! , the celebration of the anniversary of the assassination is an intriguing game with Polish martyrology and forms of mourning, of course against the background of the Smolensk catastrophe and the death of John Paul II (...). We are watching what has been destroying us for years: arguing about what really happened and shifting responsibility for the deaths of victims. This is an excellent team creation, although sometimes mean, like life in Poland.

Jacek Cieślak, “Rzeczpospolita”

Family in the theater

On March 29, we invite you to the performance “Attack on the National Old Theater. The Birth of a Nation” directed by Jakuba Skrzywanek, and children aged 4-9 for the workshop “Szałas na as. We are building a safe space.”

MORE INFORMATION: Family at the Theatre

The Rules of the Family in the Theatre can be found here: Family in the Theatre — Regulations

The performance used artificial smoke, flashing light and paintings, and strobe light. The show addresses topics that can be difficult for those in the grieving process or experiencing PTSD. You can also use the mute area or rent sound-absorbing headphones. Headphones are available in the locker room. ・ Click here and in the file you will find detailed information about the potentially sensitive content and sensory stimuli present in the performance. Note: The description may contain spoilers for some scenes.

・ The materials presented in the show were generated using widely available Gen AI tools. Their goal is to raise awareness of the risks arising from the lack of regulation on the use of Gen AI tools in public spaces.

The play takes part in the 31st National Competition for the Exhibition of Polish Contemporary Art.

The attack on the National Old Theatre. The Birth of a Nation — Program

Prizes and Trips:

○ Brand of Radio Krakow — 2025

○ Best male role for Grzegorz Mielczarek | in the BEST 2024/2025 list according to TEATR Monthly

○ Best female role for Dorota Segda | in the recap of the 2024/2025 SEASON OF THEATER FOR ALL

○ Best theatre adaptation, dramaturgy and screenplay for Jan Czapliński and Jakub Skrzywanek | in the summary of the 2024/2025 season of THEATRE for ALL

○ 18th Divine Comedy International Theatre Festival, Cracow — 2025

Acting Award at the 18th Divine Comedy International Theatre Festival for Grzegorz Mielczarek for “virtuoso, nuanced creation of a cynical manipulator who ruthlessly affects the emotions of the audience”.

○ THALIA Theater Lessingtage Festival 2026 — Hamburg, February 2026

○ OH! LŚNIENIA 2025 | nomination for Dorota Segda

The license for the use of the work, choreography and musical illustration was granted by the Association of Authors ZAiKS.