From 5 to 13 June, Katowice will become a centre for reflection on exclusion in its broadest sense and a venue for encounters with the most fascinating phenomena of contemporary socially engaged theatre.
Open the Door International Festival, with Dagmara Gumkowska as programme curator and Robert Talarczyk as artistic director, is characterised above all by openness, inclusivity and the courage to tackle difficult but important issues.
A theatre that opens doors and fosters understanding
The festival organised by the Silesian Theatre is one of the most inclusive theatre events in Poland. The programme features performances addressing themes of exclusion, the search for identity, marginalisation and diversity. An important element of the festival are projects created by people with disabilities and representatives of disadvantage groups.
OPEN THE DOOR embraces a wide variety of forms and themes. Audiences will encounter socially engaged theatre that encourages reflection and discussion. Events take place not only on theatre stages – some performances are staged in urban spaces to reach as wide an audience as possible.
The programme includes, among other things, the moving performance “Chunky Jewellery” by Barrowland Ballet from the UK, and the poignant “Lost Lear” from Ireland.
The programme will also include performances addressing issues such as racism, climate change, war, and social and cultural exclusion.
Thanks to OPEN THE DOOR, the theatre becomes a space for empathy, courage and connection. It proves that the power of a personal story can change the way we view the world, and that art can build bridges where there were once walls. It is a moment when the theatre’s wide-open doors invite us to converse, empathise and experience art – together, without barriers.
British Council is a partner of the UK theatres, their performances are organized as part of the UK/Poland Season 2025 Legacy Grant Programme.