2015: a memorable year for Polish public theatre

The first public theatre – the National Theatre in Warsaw, was founded in 1765 by the country's last monarch, Stanisław August Poniatowski, during the Polish Enlightenment.

Ever since, Polish theatre artists have stirred the collective imagination, commented on major historical events and challenged prejudices and stereotypes.

“During those 250 years of Polish public theatre’s history, I cannot recall a moment when a year recognizing Polish Public Theatre was held and officially announced by Parliament,” said Dorota Buchwald, Director of the Theatre Institute in Warsaw.

“Our work has been focused on projects that will last, for example Encyclopaedia of Polish Theatre or the Living Classics competition” Dariusz Kosiński, Deputy Director of the Institute, told in an interview with Radio Poland’s Agnieszka Łaszczuk.