Romanticism. Ashes.

"Romanticism. Ashes" is a personal monodrama by Ksawery Szlenkier, with a script the actor assembled from poems by Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński - a Warsaw Uprising fighter who died on August 4, 1944, during the battle for Blanka Palace at Theatre Square.

The title can be read in at least two ways. The first, which immediately comes to mind, suggests that from romanticism only ashes remain - that the brutality of war destroyed all noble impulses of the human heart. The second, less obvious interpretation, sets romanticism and ashes against each other: here romanticism appears as a force capable of surviving the horrors of war, and even serving as hope and a chance to preserve humanity.

During the performance, poems are recited including: "Ars Poetica", "Song of Happiness", "Erotic", "Generation", and "Desires". They are accompanied by live music - combining the sound of cello with electronics - as well as video projections and visualizations.

Ksawery Szlenkier's grandfather, Karol, was Baczyński's schoolmate at Stefan Batory High School - they were in the same class, and both were Warsaw Uprising fighters. Now his grandson, through Baczyński's words, tells the story of a generation that loved during wartime, yearned to live, and believed in humanity.

Discounted tickets are available for students, seniors over 60, people with disabilities, and holders of the Large Family Card.