‘Diaries of a Red Army Officer’ – Vilnius premiere

Encounter of two cultures and human psyche irreversibly scared with totalitarianism – these are two main issues present in the humorous play “Diaries of a Red Army Officer” (Polish: “Zapiski oficera Armii Czerwonej”).

This brilliant satire by Sergiusz Piasecki, directed by Sławomir Gaudyn will be staged soon at the House of Polish Culture in Vilnius.

The premiere is planned on 17^th September 2013.

-The action takes place during the World War II. Though, I’m interested more in human than the war. I’d like to show what happens with human psyche being exposed to propaganda and brainwashing – says Sławomir Gaudyn.

It’s interesting that the play’s premiere in Vilnius will take place on the same day on which the main character of Piasecki’s book – Junior Lieutenant Michaił Zubow –  enters the Polish territory within the ranks of the Red Army.

“Kurier” witnessed one of the rehearsals, funny and frightening at the same time. Funny, as Edward Kiejzik plays brilliantly and funnily the naïve and dehumanized officer. And frightening, as we do understand that the action at the stage is only a fiction but, at the same time, it reflects some aspects of reality.

“The night was as dark as a fascist’s conscience, as Polish master’s intentions, as English minister’s politics. Yet there was no power in this world that would stop soldiers of the invincible Red Army, proudly and happily marching toward liberation of their brothers – peasants and labourers all over the world – from the bourgeois shackles”. – “Misha the Liberator “ rivets attention from the very beginning of the play.

Misza has just entered the Vilnius and with these words he begins a letter to comrade Stalin. Then, from his flat in Vilnius, he writes a letter to his fiancée Duniasza, describing with delight what he saw in the “liberated” city. It is not love which is the most important thing  for him. Nor is religion. A man, enslaved to the Soviet propaganda,  has replaced God with Stalin. One of the first scenes of the play portrays it perfectly when Zubow takes the picture of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn off the wall and places there, almost with religious ecstasy, the portrait of the “Father of Nations” instead. It turns out that the portrait of Stalin’s loyal friend, Adolf Hitler is also there.

This scene, as well as all the others, is a great parody of Soviet cynicism. In fact, the director refers not to the Soviet times only.

-Encountering different world views is up-to-date even today. We can clearly see how immense is the Asian culture’s expansion in Europe. I want to show how such encounter may end, if people let their brains to be washed and don’t think on their own – says Gaudyn.

The director notes that the play is suitable for all generations. He recommends it to older people so they can recollect things that happened in the past.

-There are still people among us who remember the war time. I recommend it to the young, too so they can realize how propaganda may end up – says Gaudyn. – And, at least, I invite everyone who likes comedies. There will be much to laugh at and to think over.

***

Premiere of “Diaries of a Red Army Officer” on 17^th September 2013, 7.00 pm

Ticket prices: 10-15 litas, available at the House of Polish Culture in Vilnius.

Photo captions:

1. Sławomir Gaudyn, on the right, and Edward Kiejziuk during the repetition. Picture: Marian Paluszkiewicz
2. Duniasza played by Agnieszka Rawdo. Picture: Marian Paluszkiewicz
3. Excellent role of Edward Kiejzik playing Michaił Zubow. Picture: Marian Paluszkiewicz

Source: http://kurierwilenski.lt/2013/09/04/premiera-zapisek-oficera-armii-czerwonej-w-wilnie/

Tłumaczenie by Elżbieta Szafarz w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu. Translated by Elżbieta Szafarz within the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu.