In Service of the Living Word: Some Thoughts on «Reducie na stulecie: studia i rozpoznania

Conceived as a symbolic gift to honor Teatr Reduta on the 100th anniversary of its inception and dedicated to the memory of recently passed theatre historian, Zbigniew Osinski, this extensive volume does more than commemorate and celebrate. It advances the studies of one of the most original and deeply influential undertakings in Polish theatre, which, despite securing its emblematic place in histry, deserves a closer analysis from the contemporary perspective, and further dissemination among scholars and practitioners. Reading the book from across the Atlantic Ocean, I will add, that this need for continued rethinking of theatre in dialogue with Osterwa and Limanowski in current Polish cultural and political context seems to be as important as challenging. On the one hand, religious and spiritual underpinnings of Reduta may be particularly susceptive to “committed” interpretations, to use Adorno’s term. On the other hand, memories bring the threat of nostalgia and sentimentalism which help to mythologize rather than analyze unique phenomena. Has Reducie na stulecie managed to stay free from these historiographic traps? What value do these history lessons bring to us today