Grażyna Barszczewska: Vilnius is a special city

Polish actors – Grażyna Barszczewska and Krzysztof Orzechowski – were the guests of the third edition of Cracow Poetry Salon in Vilnius, which took place today in the cosy restaurant “Pan Tadeusz” in the House of Polish Culture in Vilnius.

“It is great honour for us that we can be here with you today. Great honour, aside from mine and maybe also Grażyna’s family roots reaching these lands. I am glad that you came here to us,” said welcoming the residents of Vilnius on the third Cracow Poetry Salon in Vilnius, the Polish actor, director, teacher and director of theatres – Krzysztof Orzechowski. Along with the well-known theatre and film actress, Grażyna Barszczewska, they read to the people gathered “Kwiaty Polskie” (Polish Flowers) by Julian Tuwim.

The meeting was accompanied by music performed by renowned accordionist Daumantas Stundžia.

“Tuwim has been my favourite poet since I can remember. This is a poet who so beautifully proved his genius in niggling poetry, not to say a cabaret one, and in works for children, but also in the great poems. It was a great Polish patriot and a great talent. Every time I read “Kwiaty Polskie”, either here on the occasion of Cracow Poetry Salon or on any other occasions, I find the greatness of the poetry and its indestructibility,” said Barszczewska in an interview with the portal L24.lt.

The actress’ popularity was brought by leading roles in TV series (including Nina Ponimirska in the filming of “Career of Nikodem Dyzma”, Agata in “SOS” or Marta in the “Third Border”). Younger viewers of TV “Polonia” are sure to associate the actress with the show “Londoners”.

Barszczewska confessed to Vilnius audience that she came for the first time to Vilnius and is deeply moved.

“As there are far eastern roots in my family, both painful, and joyful, so definitely there is something inside of me, but indirectly, so I do not usurp the rights to it. But with the full knowledge of history and of all that was happening, and what is going on, I come here with great emotion,” said the actress in an interview with our portal .

During the two days the actors also managed to visit Vilnius.

“Yesterday we visited Rossa. I’ve never been on such a beautiful cemetery. With such a great soul. This is definitely the most beautiful cemetery I’ve ever seen in my life. Incredibly moving. I would like to spend a few days there, I actually need to come there, sit, read,” – confessed Barszczewska who was also delighted with the Gate of Dawn and the aura of the city.

As noted, on Vilnius walls and on the inhabitants of the capital one can feel precious baggage of culture, science, great spirituality. “I had the feeling that this is a special city. To be honest, I’m not a person who is ‘on the flick’ moves, but I was a little damp under the eyelids,”As noted, on Vilnius walls and on the inhabitants of the capital one can feel precious baggage of culture, science, great spirituality. “I had the feeling that this is a special city. To be honest, I’m not a person who is “on the flick” moves, but I was a little damp under the eyelids” – the actress confessed. .

I am delighted that you are. Be always, please,” said Mrs Grażyna to the audience.

Cracow Poetry Salon was founded in 2002 by well-known Polish actress Anna Dymna. Every Sunday at 12:00 famous actors read their favorite poems and poets. Opening of the Cracow Poetry Salon in Vilnius took place in May this year. Anna Dymna and Jacek Romanowski read then to the Vilnius audience poetry by Jan Twardowski.

During the twelve years there have opened dozens of Salons of Poetry both in many Polish cities, as well as outside its borders, for example in Sweden, Austria, Canada. Cracow Salon of Poetry in Vilnius is the 40th in a row.

As Dymna emphasized at the opening of the salon in Vilnius, Poetry Salons are meant to restore the dignity of the word “in order for the word to serve us and to be our friend,” said then Dymna.

Cracow Poetry Salons are held in Vilnius every month.

Iwona Klimaszewska