Łaźnia Nowa Theatre

Łaźnia Nowa Theatre is the youngest city theatre in Kraków, Poland. It is situated in the district of Nowa Huta erected during the 1950s' Socrealism in Poland. The theatre is residing in post-industrial halls.

"Łaźnia Nowa Theatre" was preceded by "Łaźnia Theatre", located in Kazimierz (former Jewish district of Kraków). The theatre was originally located in a cellar which used to serve as a Jewish mikvah [http://www.laznianowa.pl/laznia/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=74] , hence the name "łaźnia" ("public bath" in Polish). After the theatre was moved to the district of Nowa Huta (literally "New Steelworks"), the word "Nowa" ("New") was added to its name.

Artistic philosophy

The creators of the theatre believe that every form of art conveys a "positive" message, resulting from the very act of creation. In their productions they spread the same message about their district. The theatre is surrounded by blocks of flats, green spaces, churches and supermarkets. It's objective is to reflect that neighborhood including people who live and work there.

District of Nowa Huta, built as a satellite industrial town by the communist government, always used to evoke strong emotions. Planned as a huge centre of heavy industry, Nowa Huta was to become also an ideal town for the communist propaganda. It was the Litmus Paper of political and social climate in Poland. The inhabitants of Nowa Huta were strongly affected by its history up to the end of communism. Once, one of Pope John Paul II's favorite places and the heart of the Solidarity resistance movement, Nowa Huta witnessed the downfall of its industrial prominence and became stereotyped by mass media as the most dangerous area of the city. Łaźnia Nowa Theatre aims to challenge these stereotypes.

Recent shows

*"Cukier w normie", premiered in April 2005
*"Mieszkam tu", May 2005
*"Oedipus" - drama from Nowa Huta, ["Oedipus" at www.laznianowa.pl [http://www.laznianowa.pl/laznia//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=314&Itemid=48] ] November 2005
*"From Poland with love", ["From Poland with love" at www.laznianowa.pl [http://www.laznianowa.pl/laznia//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=223&Itemid=48] ] March 2006

References

* [http://www.laznianowa.pl/laznia//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=265&Itemid=77 About Łaźnia Nowa Theatre – Homepage]