Staff at one of Poland’s leading theatres, the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Kraków, staged a protest last night following news that its director, Krzysztof Głuchowski, is set to be removed from his post.
The regional authorities claim that his dismissal is due to a breach of procurement regulations as well as failing to “care for the good name of the theatre”. But the director and his staff see it as punishment for a controversial play they staged that was seen by conservatives as an attack on the government.
„Tak umiera sztuka, nie chodzi o mój stołek. Chodzi o wolność sztuki, wolność wypowiedzi artystycznej” – mówi dyrektor Teatru im.Słowackiego w #Krakow.ie Krzysztof Głuchowski. Dzisiaj zarząd województwa małopolskiego podjął decyzje o odwołaniu go ze stanowiska @RadioZET_NEWS pic.twitter.com/pFPIOTaAtX
— Przemysław Taranek (@PrzemekTaranek) February 17, 2022
Yesterday, the office of Witold Kozłowski – a politician from Poland’s ruling national-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party who serves as marshal of the Małopolska province in which Kraków is located – confirmed that a procedure to remove Głuchowski as chief executive and artistic director of the theatre had been launched.
It said that, during an audit, the theatre was found to have “violated regulations regarding implementation of the law on public procurement”. As such, it had informed the regional financial authorities of a possible “breach of public finance discipline”.
In its statement, the marshal’s office also claimed that Głuchowski had “withdrawn from” his contractual obligation “to care for the good name of the theatre during the performance of his function”.
Informacja, do której dotarli dziennikarze Kroniki @TVP3Krakow Według nieoficjalnych informacji dyrektor Teatru imienia Juliusza Słowackiego w Krakowie ma stracić stanowisko. pic.twitter.com/y38u4EDLMM
— TVP3 Kraków (@TVP3Krakow) February 11, 2022
However, Głuchowski and his supporters believe that he is actually being punished for the recent staging by his theatre of a modern version of the classic drama Dziady, also known in English as Forefathers’ Eve, written in the 19th century by Adam Mickiewicz, Poland’s most celebrated poet.
The production featured a number of political elements, referring to the Catholic church, protests against a near-total ban on abortion, and the Polish government’s conflict with the European Union. The education superintendent for Małopolska, a government appointee, called the play “anti-government” and “against the national interest”.
“To me, this decision [to dismiss me] is punishment for staging Dziady. There is no other reason,” said Głuchowski, quoted by Gazeta Wyborcza. “We’re witnessing culture dying. It’s all about the independence of art and freedom of artistic expression.”
He denies all accusations against him and notes that no investigation has been launched by prosecutors, while the financial regulator notified by the marshal’s office has so far only asked him for documents and has not reached any decision.
In response to the news of Głuchowski’s pending dismissal, staff at the theatre staged a protest last night, holding a banner declaring “The theatre is ours”. In a statement, the theatre expressed “deep concern” at the decision, which it said was “totally incomprehensible and lacking any factual or legal grounds”.
Poland’s PiS government has faced criticism for what opponents see as its attempts to exert control over cultural institutions, such as theatres, galleries and museums, by installing new directors. The government argues, however, that is acting within its powers and taking decisions based on merit.
Main image credit: Jakub Wlodek / Agencja Wyborcza.pl
Agnieszka Wądołowska is deputy editor of Notes from Poland. She has previously worked for Gazeta.pl and Tokfm.pl and contributed to Gazeta Wyborcza, Wysokie Obcasy, Duży Format, Midrasz and Kultura Liberalna
