Attack on the National Stary Theatre. The Birth of a Nation

On March 21, terrorists are attacking the National Stary Theatre. This act of violence leads to decisions that will change the course of Polish history for good… 
Attack on the National Stary merges the intimacy of the testimonial, visual energy, and new technologies. It’s a journey through time, the thrilling pursuit of an alternative narrative about Poland and the world, a better vision of the future. All of this is captured as an epic tale of carving out a “new nation” from an individual and collective experience of damage and crime. The theme of Jakub Skrzywanek’s latest play is mourning, the emotions that come with it, and the role of the theatre and the traditional and new media in creating a tragedy’s story. Can we avoid transforming an event into collective trauma, can we break the mould of a tired and tormented Poland, captive to its past? Does art hold the power to release us from our national shortcomings and limitations? Can the premiere of Stanisław Wyspiański’s “Liberation” be salvaged, having been interrupted by the attack? The performance features artificial smoke, flashing lights and images, as well as strobe lighting. The performance addresses themes that may be difficult for individuals experiencing grief or PTSD. You can use the quiet space or borrow noise-canceling headphones, which are available at the cloakroom.