The Stefan Jaracz Theatre in Olsztyn is preparing an oratorio dedicated to the victims of the war in Ukraine. It will be an artistic event with the participation of international stars of improvised jazz, combining live music with theatre and new media art, with the powerful voice of Ukrainian victims. The premiere of the show ‘Testimonies from the Holocaust’ is scheduled for 29 October.
“The war in Ukraine has been going on for several years, and for several months we have been collective witnesses to the Gehenna of the Ukrainian Nation and the Exodus of its inhabitants. Our aim is to perpetuate the memory of these events and to draw attention to the still ongoing tragedy”, announce the event’s organisers.
The authors’ concept is to create an oratorio based on the experiences of women who experienced or witnessed the atrocities of the ongoing war in Ukraine and are currently residing in Warmia and Mazury. The collection of testimonies is supervised by the eminent Polish reporter Włodzimierz Nowak, long-serving editor-in-chief of “Duży Format” – a supplement to “Gazeta Wyborcza” presenting fiction reportage.
Based on these accounts, a script is being developed for a show in which the actresses will quote the victims’ accounts. At the same time, projections consisting of photographs documenting the dramatic events of the war in Ukraine will be screened. The visual part of the show is being coordinated by Wojciech Żogała, director, theatre and film set designer, lecturer at the Łódź Film School, winner of the Polish Film Award “Eagles”.
The musical setting will be provided by an ensemble created especially for the project by Mikołaj Trzaska, an exceptionally talented specialist in avant-garde music. He has invited leading artists of the world’s improvised music scene to participate including Olo Walicki – double bassist, Per-Åke Holmlander – tubist from Stockholm, Ido Bukelman – guitarist from Israel living in Berlin, Tim Daisy – percussionist from Chicago and Steve Swell – trombonist from New York who will perform together with Trzaska.
Arkadiusz Słomczyński