The cultural Scene

Poznań is a strong theatre and music centre with numerous professional and alternative theatres and music institutions, including well-known Polish establishments such as: the Opera stage of Teatr Wielki, the Tadeusz Szeligowski Poznań Philharmonic, the Polish Dance Theatre – Poznań Ballet, the Puppet Theatre and some of the best drama theatres, e.g. the Polish Theatre and the Tadeusz Łomnicki New Theatre.

Poznań is undoubtedly one of the biggest and most interesting theatre centres and its potential of today has strong roots in tradition and experience: in the first half of the 16th century theatre performances were already being staged at Lubrański Academy. The first school theatre was established in 1572 in the Jesuit College and the first professional ensemble originated in 1783.

Now theatre in Poznań has many faces: there are institutional drama stages, ballet groups and an opera house. There are also alternative theatre companies, whose leading position in Poland is remains unquestioned, e.g. the Theatre of the Eighth Day, the Travel Agency Theatre, the Twilight Zone Theatre, the Body Snatchers Theatre, the Mouth to Mouth Thatre. Poznań ensembles participate in national and international festivals, often winning prizes. Every year in June/July the famous Malta Festival (previously: Malta International Theatre Festival) – the city flagship event – is held here and the Maski Festival has already become a permanent theatrical event in autumn; in addition to that the brand new Raport Festival has brought to life the idea of all Poznań alternative theatres to perform together.

The calendar of cultural activities is also filled with other regular events, such as International Modern Dance Festival accompanied with Dancing Poznań workshops, Universitas Cantat International University Choir Festival, International Poetic November and becoming more and more popular world music festival – Ethno Port.

The capital of Wielkopolska hosts the Henryk Wieniawski International Violin and Violin-making Competitions, the latter being the oldest in the world. This year edition will take place between 8th and 23rd of October 2011 and will be a major event of the National Cultural Programme of the Polish EU Presidency 2011.

Within the film and cinema subject Poznań has also its significant position with the International Young Audience Film Festival Ale Kino!, which is the only festival in Poland dedicated to film art for children and teenagers. Moreover, Animator Festival – the International Animated Film Festival with its 4th edition and Poznań International Film and Music Festival Transatlantyk with its 1st but very successful edition this year fill the cultural calendar of Poznań with exciting events, meetings, concerts and shows that the city of Poznań can be proud of.