Krystian Lupa
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 Outstanding Polish theatre director, stage designer, graphic artist, author of theatrical scenarios, adaptor, translator, lecturer in the Ludwik Solski Academy for the Dramatic Arts in Krakow. Before engaging in theatrical activity, he studied at the Faculty of Physics of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. However, he soon abandoned this field of studies and passed examinations to the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. Later he studied film directing in the National Higher School of Film in Łódź and then theatre directing in the Ludwik Solski Academy for the Dramatic Arts in Krakow (1973-1977). Already as a student Lupa came into contact with Konrad Swinarski and his dramas. He was also fascinated by Tadeusz Kantor’s theatre. He debuted in 1976 with Rzeźnia (The Slaughter-House) by Sławomir Mrożek in the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Krakow. After graduation, he worked in the C.K. Norwid Theatre in Jelenia Góra. From among foreign awards granted to Krystian Lupa it is necessary to mention the French Critics’ Award (1999) for Lunatycy (Sleepwalkers) by Hermann Broch, the Austrian Cross of Merit (2001) and the French Order of the Chevalier of Culture (2002). In 2008 he received the European Theatre Award and in 2009 the Passport of Polityka - a special award for the Creator of Culture which is granted by this weekly every year to “masters, teachers of successive generations, classics of Polish culture”.
As far as the theatre is concerned, Lupa is interested mainly in human relations, which he reflects on stage by means of subtly shaded psychological play underlining complex personal motivations. He composes scenes very precisely and is perfect at interpreting the moments of silence, repeating certain sequences and slowing down the pace of action in a conscious and deliberate manner as well as experimenting with time.
At the 2nd Conrad Festival, he will be a guest of Karol Franczak during the meeting: Lessons of Masters – Thomas Bernhard: Kalkwerk – 5th November (Friday), at 2 p.m. in Cafe Szafe (ul. Felicjanek 10).
Picture: Piotr Skiba
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