Emerging from the shadows of a former elementary school stands Komuna Warszawa. A beacon of artistic rebellion. This isn’t just any theatre. It’s a living testament to a community’s unwavering spirit. Komuna Warszawa began its journey in 1989 not here in Warsaw but in Otwock. A group of young friends formed “Komuna Otwock Anarchistyczna wspolnota dzialan”. They believed art was a tool for social change. They organized over a hundred independent music concerts. They held dozens of exhibitions at their own Miejsce Gallery. They even broadcast on a pirate radio station called Radio Czosnek. They championed ecological demonstrations.
Komuna Otwock wasn’t confined to performances. They were deeply involved in environmental education. They built an eco-center and a tourist base in Ponurzyca. This small village became a hub for creative expression and environmental awareness. Their commitment led to several significant plays. Plays like “bez tytułu” “Trzeba zabić pierwszego boga” “Design/Gropius” and “Perechodnik/Bauman” gained international recognition. These performances graced prestigious festivals in Poland and abroad. From Krakow to Berlin to Munich and Paris their message resonated.
In 2007 Komuna Otwock moved to Warsaw. Initially they found refuge in old VIS factory halls on Wola. Later they occupied spaces in an artistic tenement building. This building on Lubelska 30/32 served as their base for collaboration with Warsaw’s thriving performance art community. Between 2010 and 2014 they curated the “RE//MIX” cycle. This cycle showcased reinterpretations of classic performance art works by artists such as Pina Bausch Robert Wilson and John Cage. The “RE//MIX” cycle documented in a book of the same name by Krytyka Polityczna was a turning point. It invigorated the contemporary performance scene and launched the careers of many talented artists. Many of whom continue to work with Komuna Warszawa today.
The “MikroTeatr” cycle followed. Artists created short theatrical pieces under strict guidelines. Sixteen minutes four spotlights one microphone four creative people and a budget of 4000 zloty. This creative constraint pushed boundaries. Since 2009 they’ve been known as Komuna Warszawa. In 2019 they officially became Teatr Komuna Warszawa. A social institution of culture. A unique model of an independent production house. A showcase stage and a residency center. In 2020 Komuna Warszawa found its current home. This former elementary school on Emilii Plater 31 is now where this incredible story continues to unfold. Komuna Warszawa remains a vibrant hub fostering performance art. Their long-standing experience their trust in the artistic community and their institutional partners ensure that the spirit of this theatre lives on. This is Komuna Warszawa a place where art activism and community converge. A place where history is made. A place where the future is created.