Lokalny festiwal o światowym potencjale: Międzynarodowy Festiwal Teatralny Klasyki Światowej – Nowa Klasyka Europy
The local festival with global potential: The International World Classics Theatre Festival – New Classic of Europe

Author(s): Joanna Królikowska
Subject(s): Fine Arts / Performing Arts, Theology and Religion
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego
Keywords: New Classic of Europe; theatre festival; Stefan Jaracz Theatre in Lodz; classical literature; promotion
Summary/Abstract: The New Classics of Europe Festival has been organised since 2010 at the Stefan Jaracz Theatre in Lodz. The author presents history of the event from its inception through four subsequent editions. Some of the considerations are devoted to the idea and assumptions of the festival, as indicated by the program texts of its curator, Roman Pawłowski. The biennial event presents performances based on classical works, both ancient and new to the classical canon, representing various literary forms and genres. The curator is responsible for the selection of performances, inviting well-known theatre companies from all over Europe and profiling subsequent editions. The second part of the article is devoted to organisational problems related to the festival. Despite the attractive repertoire and the presence of outstanding theatrical artists, difficulties in attracting viewers are visible. The author looks for the causes of these problems, pointing to, inter alia, to ineffective promotion of the event and randomness of marketing activities. This affects not only the attendance, but also lowers the rank and range of the festival. The advantages of the event, related to the ambitious repertoire, the presence of respected artists and the high artistic level, show the huge, though unused, potential of the event. The analysis of organisational irregularities makes it possible to formulate postulates regarding the need to refine the festival’s formula, plan coherent promotional activities and further efforts to attract a permanent audience.

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