Culture in exile 24.05.2022
Solidarity Days at Villa Decius
Culture in Exile. Solidarity Days at Vila Decius
10-12.06.2022
Every year, at the beginning of summer, Villa Decius Institute for Culture organizes an event promoting the cultural variety of our city. Villa Decius for centuries has been known as a meeting place of dialogue of different cultures and traditions. During the XIX century, the Villa served as an important meeting point, as Marcelina Czartoryska established an artistic and patriotic circle there, inviting artists and intellectuals. For the last 26 years it has been a prominent place on the cultural map of Central and Eastern Europe and a safe place for artists seeking refuge from war or persecution in their countries of origin. The implementation of the festival at the Villa – built by a visitor from distant Alsace, Justus Ludwik Decius – refers to the character of Krakow – an open city, building its cultural potential based on the heritage of visitors and close contacts with artists from other countries.
This year, facing a serious crisis of democratic values and civil liberties, we wish to draw our attention to the culture of countries where artists - as a result of war or political oppression - were forced to emigrate from their homeland in order to find a new place to live, work and create. Organizing the event “Culture in Exile. Solidarity Days at Villa Decius", we would like to point out that community building consists of both cordial compassion, as well as openness to other voices and traditions, and interest in the culture of neighbors – New Cracovians. Building a community understood in this way gives us a chance to learn something from them and at the same time to learn something about ourselves.
“Forced migration and creative work in exile are experienced by a growing number of artists. For these people the freedom of artistic expression is on the one hand a statement of independence, and on the other hand it is a way of building national and cultural identity. Many Polish authors – it's enough to mention Adam Mickiewicz, Witold Gombrowicz, Fryderyk Chopin, Sławomir Mrożek, Gustaw Herling-Grudziński, Jerzy Giedroyć, or Czesław Miłosz - had challenging experiences of living and creating in exile. During the Solidarity Days at Villa Decius we make possible a meeting with the work of those who have recently been forced to leave their country and who ended up in Poland and Krakow – and it’s a meeting beyond any other divisions” - says Dominika Kasprowicz, director of the Villa Decius Institute for Culture.
“Culture in exile. Solidarity Days at Villa Decius” involves three days of artistic and social events and integrative workshops organized in a gesture of solidarity with representatives of the cultures of other countries forced to emigrate. The programme created in collaboration with the Krakow edition of the Festival of Intellectual Books "Pradmova" covers exhibitions, concerts, discussions, meetings with translators, events for children and literary meetings with guests from 8 different countries: Belarus, Lithuania, Germany, Poland, Great Britain, Angola and Afghanistan, creating a multicultural narrative. The programme also includes actions of solidarity for war refugees and political prisoners, and a presentation of various social activities of migrants from many countries in the field of human rights, gender equality and ecology.
“The events of the last two years are a huge test for many. For societies - they are a test of maturity, for an individual- a test of humanity, for neighbors- a test of openness, hospitality and solidarity. This exam is also undertaken by the world of culture. In the time of a total humanitarian disaster- is our culture able to connect, not to divide, to build bridges, not walls, to form communities, not hostile camps, to teach love instead of hatred?
In the face of tragedy- can culture help? Can it bring comfort? Fleeing from the war and political repressions, millions of Ukrainians and Belarusians have found themselves in Poland and in other countries in the UE. Among them, there are thousands of authors, literats, painters, actors and musicians, and each of them tells their own (and also our common) story with the unique voice of their art. For we all are similar to one another, we have similar (and sometimes even shared) experiences in standing up not only for our freedom and individuality, but also for our democratic values”- says Andrej Khadanovich, a Belarusian poet and translator, who is currently an ICORN scholarship holder at Villa Decius in Krakow, about the idea of the festival.
10-12.06.2022
Every year, at the beginning of summer, Villa Decius Institute for Culture organizes an event promoting the cultural variety of our city. Villa Decius for centuries has been known as a meeting place of dialogue of different cultures and traditions. During the XIX century, the Villa served as an important meeting point, as Marcelina Czartoryska established an artistic and patriotic circle there, inviting artists and intellectuals. For the last 26 years it has been a prominent place on the cultural map of Central and Eastern Europe and a safe place for artists seeking refuge from war or persecution in their countries of origin. The implementation of the festival at the Villa – built by a visitor from distant Alsace, Justus Ludwik Decius – refers to the character of Krakow – an open city, building its cultural potential based on the heritage of visitors and close contacts with artists from other countries.
This year, facing a serious crisis of democratic values and civil liberties, we wish to draw our attention to the culture of countries where artists - as a result of war or political oppression - were forced to emigrate from their homeland in order to find a new place to live, work and create. Organizing the event “Culture in Exile. Solidarity Days at Villa Decius", we would like to point out that community building consists of both cordial compassion, as well as openness to other voices and traditions, and interest in the culture of neighbors – New Cracovians. Building a community understood in this way gives us a chance to learn something from them and at the same time to learn something about ourselves.
“Forced migration and creative work in exile are experienced by a growing number of artists. For these people the freedom of artistic expression is on the one hand a statement of independence, and on the other hand it is a way of building national and cultural identity. Many Polish authors – it's enough to mention Adam Mickiewicz, Witold Gombrowicz, Fryderyk Chopin, Sławomir Mrożek, Gustaw Herling-Grudziński, Jerzy Giedroyć, or Czesław Miłosz - had challenging experiences of living and creating in exile. During the Solidarity Days at Villa Decius we make possible a meeting with the work of those who have recently been forced to leave their country and who ended up in Poland and Krakow – and it’s a meeting beyond any other divisions” - says Dominika Kasprowicz, director of the Villa Decius Institute for Culture.
“Culture in exile. Solidarity Days at Villa Decius” involves three days of artistic and social events and integrative workshops organized in a gesture of solidarity with representatives of the cultures of other countries forced to emigrate. The programme created in collaboration with the Krakow edition of the Festival of Intellectual Books "Pradmova" covers exhibitions, concerts, discussions, meetings with translators, events for children and literary meetings with guests from 8 different countries: Belarus, Lithuania, Germany, Poland, Great Britain, Angola and Afghanistan, creating a multicultural narrative. The programme also includes actions of solidarity for war refugees and political prisoners, and a presentation of various social activities of migrants from many countries in the field of human rights, gender equality and ecology.
“The events of the last two years are a huge test for many. For societies - they are a test of maturity, for an individual- a test of humanity, for neighbors- a test of openness, hospitality and solidarity. This exam is also undertaken by the world of culture. In the time of a total humanitarian disaster- is our culture able to connect, not to divide, to build bridges, not walls, to form communities, not hostile camps, to teach love instead of hatred?
In the face of tragedy- can culture help? Can it bring comfort? Fleeing from the war and political repressions, millions of Ukrainians and Belarusians have found themselves in Poland and in other countries in the UE. Among them, there are thousands of authors, literats, painters, actors and musicians, and each of them tells their own (and also our common) story with the unique voice of their art. For we all are similar to one another, we have similar (and sometimes even shared) experiences in standing up not only for our freedom and individuality, but also for our democratic values”- says Andrej Khadanovich, a Belarusian poet and translator, who is currently an ICORN scholarship holder at Villa Decius in Krakow, about the idea of the festival.
Programme
10th June (Friday)
18:00,Garden by the Villa Decius
The ceremonial festival opening. Planting of the Caring tree
18:30, Villa Decius
“Postcards for prisoners of conscience.” The action of solidarity accompanying the exhibition of art and letters of political prisoners “The Heart Behind Bars”
Moderator: Daria Łozowska
19:30, Villa Decius, Ball Room
Concert:
Żenia Welko, Krystsina Burak, Wiktar Siamaszka,Ihar Palynski (“Sumarok”)
11th June, (Saturday)
12:00, Villa Decius, Lubomirski Room
Performance of the children theater “Neighbours' Kids”.
Moderators: Katarzyna Doshchachka (BY-PL), Olga Averina (BY-PL)
14.00, Villa Decius
Opening of the exhibition “My River” by Maria Elen Bonet (BY-PL)
14:30, Villa Decius, Czartoryska’s Room
Discussion “The female element”
Guests: Maria ElenA Bonet (BY-PL), Cecylia Malik (PL), Małgorzata Lebda (PL)
Translation: Joanna Bernatowicz/Яана Бернатовіч (PL)
Moderator: Volha Kavalskaya (BY-PL)
16:00, Bookshop De Revolutionibus, 14 Bracka str.
Panel discussion “In her voice” (ENG)
Guests: Hanna Komar (BY-UK), Aaiun Nin (AG), Sara Nazari (AF)
Translation: Gabriela Urbańska-Legutko
Moderator: Joanna Łępicka (PL)
19:00 Villa Decius, Czartoryska’s Room
“Does poetry need a neighbor? About the idea of artistic neighborhood.”
Meeting of Krakow poets and open mic for young authors on the subject of “Neighbourhood”
Guests: Marlena Niemiec (PL), Przemysław Suchanecki (PL), Kasia Szweda (PL)
Moderator: Dawid Mateusz (PL)
21:00, Villa Decius, Ball Room
“Znak Stop”
Wowa Swat, Andruś Takindang
12th June (Sunday)
Festival of Intellectual Books „Pradmova”
10:00-10:20, Villa Decius, Czartoryska’s Room
Children poems by Andrej Skurko (read by “Belarusians in Cracow”)
Moderator: Andrej Chadanowicz/Андрэй Хадановіч
10:30-11:50 Villa Decius, Czartoryska’s Room
“The house of happy children: prohibitions, superstitions and taboos in contemporary literature for children and adolescents.
A conversation with Alhierd Bacharewicz and Maryja Martysiewicz.
Moderator: Lilya Iljuszyna/Ліля Ільюшына
10:30-11:50, Villa Decius, Blue Room
Theater workshop for children from Belarus and Ukraine
Moderators: Katsiaryna Doshchachka (BY-PL), Olga Averina (BY-PL)
12:00-13:00, Villa Decius, Blue Room
Painting with Chagall and Soutine: painting workshop for children based on the books of the “Pole”publishing house.
Moderator: Kaciaryna Wierazub
12:00-12:50, Villa Decius, Czartoryska’s Room
Presentation of a politacal novel “Pigs” with the author Alaksandr Czarnuchi
12:00-12:50, Villa Decius, Lubomirski Room
“Źmicier Kolas” Publishing House presents: Franz Kafka in Belarusian translations.
Presentation of 4 volumes of selected works. Meeting with the translator Lavon Barshcheuski.
Moderator: Maryja Martysiewicz
13:00-14:20, Villa Decius, Lubomirski Room
Panel discussion: The writer and his translator.
Guests: Alhierd Baharewicz (BY-DE), Jan Maksimiuk (BY), Uladzimir Arlou (BY-PL), Bohdan Zadura (PL)
Moderator: Joanna Bernatowicz
13:00-13:45, Villa Decius, Czartoryska’s Room
Presentation of the publications of the European University of Humanities: the collection “CTRL + S: European Heritage” and the scientific journal of Judaism “Zeitschrift”.
Moderator: Ściapan Sturejka/Сцяпан Стурэйка
14:00-15:00, Villa Decius, Chartoryska’s Room
Belarusian literature outside the capital and metropolis. Panel discussion.
Moderator: Jarosław Iwaniuk
15:00-15:30, Villa Dcius, Czartoryska’s Room
Reading of poetry by Ales Arkusz.
Moderator: Jarosław Iwaniuk
14:30-15:40, Villa Decius, Lubomirski Room
21st century traumas: new socio-political experience and old anti-humanist practices.
Panel discussion.
Guests: Michał Minakau (UA-IT-zoom), Wolha Szparaha (BY- zoom), Piotr Rudkouski (BY), Andrzej Leder (PL).
Moderator: Paweł Barkouski
14:30-15:40, Villa Decius, Blue Room
The potrayal of the home in methapors. Literary game.
Moderator: Natalia Drobysz/Наталля Дробыш
16:00-17:20, Czartoryska’s Room
“Belarusian national idea expressed on the march”: book presentation with Źmitro Łukaszuk
16:00-17:20, Villa Decius, Lubomirski Room
“Vesna” publishing house presents new poetry books: “Wolfberries” by Julia Cimafejewa, “Poems” by Alhierd Bacharewicz, and two-volume collection of poems by Mosze Kulbak.
Poetry reading by Alhierd Baharewicz i Julia Cimafejewa.
Moderator: Andrej Chadanowicz
16:00-17:20, Villa Decius, Blue Room
Literary game for everyone
Moderator: Hanna Matyl
17:30-18:00, Villa Decius, Ball Room
The Ales Adamowicz Award Ceremony
Moderator: Taciana Niadbaj
18:10-18:50, Villa Decius, Ball Room
Concert of the family band “Bartosiki”: Dmitry Bartosik (guitar, vocals), Tatiana Karpilovich (accordion), Justina Karpilovich (guitar, vocals), Herald Bartosik (vocals, flute)
19:00-20:20, Villa Decius, Lubomirski Room
“I carry my heaven with me”: discussion about the experience of forced migration.
Guests: Andriej Adamowicz, Walżyna Mort, Taciana Niadbaj, Uladzimir Niaklajeu, Julia Cimafejewa.
Prowadzenie/Мадэраванне/Модератор/Moderator: Andriej Chadanowicz
20:30-22:00, Villa Decius, Lubomirski Room
Multicultural Poetry Night. Readings in three languages with the participation of musicians-improvisers- Aleksiej Warsoba and Wiktor Siemaszko.
Guests: Miłosz Biedrzycki (PL), Ryszard Krynicki (PL), Ewa Lipska (PL), Natalia Belczenko (UA), Andriej Adamowicz (BY), Maryja Martysiewicz (BY), Walżyna Mort (BY), Taciana Niadbaj (BY), Uładzimir Niaklajeu (BY).
Moderator: Kasia Ioffe
10-12.06, Villa Decius
Photo exhibition “My River” by Maria Elen Bonet
Exhibition of ethno-surreal photography by Maria Elen Bonet (BY-PL); the history of experiencing intergenerational family trauma and a women's opposition to totalitarianism.
“The Heart behind the Bars”. Exhibition of letters and paintings by political prisoners of Belarus.
The action of solidarity “Postcards for prisoners of conscience”
18:00,Garden by the Villa Decius
The ceremonial festival opening. Planting of the Caring tree
18:30, Villa Decius
“Postcards for prisoners of conscience.” The action of solidarity accompanying the exhibition of art and letters of political prisoners “The Heart Behind Bars”
Moderator: Daria Łozowska
19:30, Villa Decius, Ball Room
Concert:
Żenia Welko, Krystsina Burak, Wiktar Siamaszka,Ihar Palynski (“Sumarok”)
11th June, (Saturday)
12:00, Villa Decius, Lubomirski Room
Performance of the children theater “Neighbours' Kids”.
Moderators: Katarzyna Doshchachka (BY-PL), Olga Averina (BY-PL)
14.00, Villa Decius
Opening of the exhibition “My River” by Maria Elen Bonet (BY-PL)
14:30, Villa Decius, Czartoryska’s Room
Discussion “The female element”
Guests: Maria ElenA Bonet (BY-PL), Cecylia Malik (PL), Małgorzata Lebda (PL)
Translation: Joanna Bernatowicz/Яана Бернатовіч (PL)
Moderator: Volha Kavalskaya (BY-PL)
16:00, Bookshop De Revolutionibus, 14 Bracka str.
Panel discussion “In her voice” (ENG)
Guests: Hanna Komar (BY-UK), Aaiun Nin (AG), Sara Nazari (AF)
Translation: Gabriela Urbańska-Legutko
Moderator: Joanna Łępicka (PL)
19:00 Villa Decius, Czartoryska’s Room
“Does poetry need a neighbor? About the idea of artistic neighborhood.”
Meeting of Krakow poets and open mic for young authors on the subject of “Neighbourhood”
Guests: Marlena Niemiec (PL), Przemysław Suchanecki (PL), Kasia Szweda (PL)
Moderator: Dawid Mateusz (PL)
21:00, Villa Decius, Ball Room
“Znak Stop”
Wowa Swat, Andruś Takindang
12th June (Sunday)
Festival of Intellectual Books „Pradmova”
10:00-10:20, Villa Decius, Czartoryska’s Room
Children poems by Andrej Skurko (read by “Belarusians in Cracow”)
Moderator: Andrej Chadanowicz/Андрэй Хадановіч
10:30-11:50 Villa Decius, Czartoryska’s Room
“The house of happy children: prohibitions, superstitions and taboos in contemporary literature for children and adolescents.
A conversation with Alhierd Bacharewicz and Maryja Martysiewicz.
Moderator: Lilya Iljuszyna/Ліля Ільюшына
10:30-11:50, Villa Decius, Blue Room
Theater workshop for children from Belarus and Ukraine
Moderators: Katsiaryna Doshchachka (BY-PL), Olga Averina (BY-PL)
12:00-13:00, Villa Decius, Blue Room
Painting with Chagall and Soutine: painting workshop for children based on the books of the “Pole”publishing house.
Moderator: Kaciaryna Wierazub
12:00-12:50, Villa Decius, Czartoryska’s Room
Presentation of a politacal novel “Pigs” with the author Alaksandr Czarnuchi
12:00-12:50, Villa Decius, Lubomirski Room
“Źmicier Kolas” Publishing House presents: Franz Kafka in Belarusian translations.
Presentation of 4 volumes of selected works. Meeting with the translator Lavon Barshcheuski.
Moderator: Maryja Martysiewicz
13:00-14:20, Villa Decius, Lubomirski Room
Panel discussion: The writer and his translator.
Guests: Alhierd Baharewicz (BY-DE), Jan Maksimiuk (BY), Uladzimir Arlou (BY-PL), Bohdan Zadura (PL)
Moderator: Joanna Bernatowicz
13:00-13:45, Villa Decius, Czartoryska’s Room
Presentation of the publications of the European University of Humanities: the collection “CTRL + S: European Heritage” and the scientific journal of Judaism “Zeitschrift”.
Moderator: Ściapan Sturejka/Сцяпан Стурэйка
14:00-15:00, Villa Decius, Chartoryska’s Room
Belarusian literature outside the capital and metropolis. Panel discussion.
Moderator: Jarosław Iwaniuk
15:00-15:30, Villa Dcius, Czartoryska’s Room
Reading of poetry by Ales Arkusz.
Moderator: Jarosław Iwaniuk
14:30-15:40, Villa Decius, Lubomirski Room
21st century traumas: new socio-political experience and old anti-humanist practices.
Panel discussion.
Guests: Michał Minakau (UA-IT-zoom), Wolha Szparaha (BY- zoom), Piotr Rudkouski (BY), Andrzej Leder (PL).
Moderator: Paweł Barkouski
14:30-15:40, Villa Decius, Blue Room
The potrayal of the home in methapors. Literary game.
Moderator: Natalia Drobysz/Наталля Дробыш
16:00-17:20, Czartoryska’s Room
“Belarusian national idea expressed on the march”: book presentation with Źmitro Łukaszuk
16:00-17:20, Villa Decius, Lubomirski Room
“Vesna” publishing house presents new poetry books: “Wolfberries” by Julia Cimafejewa, “Poems” by Alhierd Bacharewicz, and two-volume collection of poems by Mosze Kulbak.
Poetry reading by Alhierd Baharewicz i Julia Cimafejewa.
Moderator: Andrej Chadanowicz
16:00-17:20, Villa Decius, Blue Room
Literary game for everyone
Moderator: Hanna Matyl
17:30-18:00, Villa Decius, Ball Room
The Ales Adamowicz Award Ceremony
Moderator: Taciana Niadbaj
18:10-18:50, Villa Decius, Ball Room
Concert of the family band “Bartosiki”: Dmitry Bartosik (guitar, vocals), Tatiana Karpilovich (accordion), Justina Karpilovich (guitar, vocals), Herald Bartosik (vocals, flute)
19:00-20:20, Villa Decius, Lubomirski Room
“I carry my heaven with me”: discussion about the experience of forced migration.
Guests: Andriej Adamowicz, Walżyna Mort, Taciana Niadbaj, Uladzimir Niaklajeu, Julia Cimafejewa.
Prowadzenie/Мадэраванне/Модератор/Moderator: Andriej Chadanowicz
20:30-22:00, Villa Decius, Lubomirski Room
Multicultural Poetry Night. Readings in three languages with the participation of musicians-improvisers- Aleksiej Warsoba and Wiktor Siemaszko.
Guests: Miłosz Biedrzycki (PL), Ryszard Krynicki (PL), Ewa Lipska (PL), Natalia Belczenko (UA), Andriej Adamowicz (BY), Maryja Martysiewicz (BY), Walżyna Mort (BY), Taciana Niadbaj (BY), Uładzimir Niaklajeu (BY).
Moderator: Kasia Ioffe
10-12.06, Villa Decius
Photo exhibition “My River” by Maria Elen Bonet
Exhibition of ethno-surreal photography by Maria Elen Bonet (BY-PL); the history of experiencing intergenerational family trauma and a women's opposition to totalitarianism.
“The Heart behind the Bars”. Exhibition of letters and paintings by political prisoners of Belarus.
The action of solidarity “Postcards for prisoners of conscience”