A Chronology

1976

Włodzimierz Staniewski begins to cooperate with the Lublin theatre circles and with several people from the students' movement in other cities The opening motifs for his theatrical workshops draw on the themes from Rabelais' Gargantua and Pantagruel, folk songs from the Eastern regions of Poland and movement etudes. Staniewski work out on outline of his comprehensive artistic and research programme.

1977

14 August, Gardzienice
W. Staniewski and his informal group (Jan Tabaka, Wanda Wróbel, Tomasz Rodowicz, Waldemar Sidor, Jan Bernad, Henryk Andruszko among others) run a theatrical workshop. He presents the results of his work to the local community)

October
The first Expedition (to the Zamość region) is undertaken as a step in the implementation of The Rural Programme designed by W. Staniewski. He propose organizing monthly hike Expeditions to the villages in Eastern Poland. The Expeditions are intended to revive the natural environment of theatre. Starting with the first one, the comapny presents An Evening Performance based on François Rabelais' themes and the lyrics of folk songs. An Evening Performance had been presented about 150 times in Poland.

November
The second Expedition (the Zamość region) .

1978

18 January, Lublin
At the motion of Włodzimierz Staniewski and 30 other founding members The "Gardzienice" Theatre Association is formally registered by the Lublin Province Office. Staniewski names the company "The Gardzienice Centre for Theatre Practices". It is seated in the village of the same name. For its theatrical activities, the company rents a ruined post-Arian chapel in the former palace in Gardzienice. The office is located in Lublin.

January-November
Nine Expeditions, lasting few days each, are carried out to the eastern parts of Poland (the regions around Lublin, Chełm, Zamość, Tarnobrzeg, Nowy Sącz - so called Gypsy villages, Biała Podlaska

1979

February - October
Six Expeditions (the regions around Zamość, Chełm, Białystok, Jelenia Góra, Tarnobrzeg, Nowy Sącz - Gypsy villages) are carried out

June, Bulgaria (Sofia)
At the Congress of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) Włodzimierz Staniewski outlines his programme in the paper For a new natural environment of theatre.)

July, Italy (Santarcangelo)
The company participates in the 9th Festival Teatro in Piazza. An Expedition to the Apennines (Emilia Romagna Region) is undertaken, Gatherings are held and An Evening Performance is presented. Among those taking part in the Expedition are the festival participants, Polish academics and inhabitants from Polish villages.

December, France (Nancy, Lorraine)
Participation in Festival Mondial du Theatre'79 and the presentation of An Evening Performance. An Expedition to the Lorraine region is organized. The company is accompanied among others by a four-person Gypsy band (Mirga family) from the Polish village of Szaflary

1980

May, Lublin
During the 2nd International Theatre Meetings W. Staniewski, assisted by T. Rodowicz, organized (in collaboration with the International Theatre Institute) an academic session Theatre and Folk Traditions. Participants include academics and artists from the United States, Japan, Turkey, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark and Poland. The session is supplemented with workshops, demonstrations and an Expedition to the Zamość Region.

May - December
Twelve Expeditions (to the Zamość, Tarnobrzeg, Łomża and Białystok Regions) are organized. An Evening Performance is presented, Gatherings are held and the work on a new performance is carried out.

1981

April
An Expedition to the Białystok Region. Preparation of Gusła (Sorcery) based on Adam Mickiewicz's Dziady (Forefathers' Eve) and folk songs.
May, Gardzienice
The Polish premiere of Sorcery directed by W. Staniewski.
May- July, Italy
At the session The Music, the Performance, the Possession in Villa le Barone, Staniewski delivers a lecture on the need to search for the natural environment of theatre. While carrying out its Expedition in June, the company presents Sorcery in Panzano, Pontedera, Turin, Pieve, Santarcangelo and many places in Tuscany. During the Expedition, Gatherings are held and fragments of An Evening Performance are presented.
July, Federal Republic of Germany (Brückendorf)
W. Staniewski and his company run theatre workshops for German, Swiss, Austrian and Italian actors. Some of them begin to cooperate with "Gardzienice" on a regular basis.
September - October
During four Expeditions (to the regions around Jelenia Góra - the so-called Yugoslavian villages, Olsztyn, Białystok, Nowy Sącz - Łemkowszczyzna, an area inhabited by the Łemks community) the Gatherings are held and presentations of Sorcery and An Evening Performance take place. The participants also search for material to be used in a new performance based on The Life written by Russian religious movement leader Avvakum Petrovich (1620-1682).
October - November
Weekly performances of Sorcery .

1982

As a result of the imposition of Martial Law in Poland (December 13, 1981), the activity of The Gardzienice Association is suspended. Only closed rehearsals may be held. The work on the new performance is carried on, including studies of the Orthodox music, songs and liturgy. The study of icons generates a specific training.
July,Federal Republic of Germany (Erlangen)
The 22nd Theatre Meetings Gesichter Europas: performances of Sorcery and a theatre workshop
August, Sweden ,(Stockholm, Göteborg)
Participants in two festivals Scensommar Internationell Gruppteaterfestival: six presentations of Sorcery in Stockholm and three in Göteborg; a theatre workshop
September, Lapland
An Expedition lasting several weeks (the concept of theatrum mundi with its idea to practice theatre towards nature). Numerous Gatherings, Sorcery presentations. The participants get acquainted with joik (a unique way of creating songs). The work on The Life of Archpriest Avvakum continues
September - October,, Italy (Sorano, Genoa)
An Expedition to the Ligurian region: presentations of Sorcery, theatre workshops

1983
Spring, Gardzienice
Weekly performances of Sorcery, Gatherings
January - July
Five Expeditions to fifteen Orthodox villages (the region around Nowy Sącz - Łemkowszczyzna, an area inhibited by the Łemks community; Suwałki, Biała Podlaska) during which Gatherings are held and presentations of An Evening Performance, Sorcery as well as fragments of the new performance in preparation take place. Foreign participants (Theatre Beliashe from Norway and Milkway Theatre from West Berlin among others) also present the results of their work. About seventy trainees from Poland and other countries participate.
August, Italy (Trivento)
An Expedition to the mountains along the mules' paths which have not been walked on since the previous century (another stage of Teatro della Terra programme).
19 August,
The premiere of The Life of Archpriest Avvakum, scripted and directed by W. Staniewski, in a mountain chapel Chiesa di San Antonio al Fonte del Cerro near Trivento (the Molise Region)
September, France, Le Bridon, La Begude-de-Marenc
Theatre workshops
November, Gardzienice
The Polish premiere of The Life of Archpriest Avvakum in the post-Arian chapel

1984
May, Italy (Bologne)
Włodzimierz Staniewski takes part in the conference Teatro Polacca: Identita di una Cultura
June, Netherlands (Amsterdam)
Participation in the Dutch Festival: presentation of both Sorcery and The Life of Archpriest Avvakum in Nieuwe Kerk.
June-August
Three Expeditions to the Nowy Sącz region (Orthodox Church villages) aimed at the "naturalization" of The Life of Archpriest Avvakum in the Orthodox environment.
August,
An Expedition to Grabarka - the Orthodox Church cult place
Autumn, Gardzienice
During Gatherings organized all over the village, the company presents the Marathon: all performances combined with a demonstration of elements of training and the documentation related to the Expeditions

1985
January - February, Switzerland (Basel, Zurich)
Participation in the theatre review Religion-Ritual-Toleranz: performances of Sorcery and The Life of Archpriest Avvakum.
March - April, Federal Republic of Germany (Münster, Stuttgart)
W. Staniewski runs a theatre training in Theather Pumpenhaus in Münster. The training results in a performance establishing a new theatre group. Presentations of Sorcery and The Life of Archpriest Avvakum in Stuttgart (Artaud's Week)
Spring, Gardzienice
Workshops with pupils from secondary schools and students
Summer, the United States
W. Staniewski and T. Rodowicz go on a trip to visit several Indian tribes (Zuni, Hopi, Havasupai)
July - August, Norway, Finland
The second Expeditions to Lapland (in cooperation with the Norwegian Theatre Beliashe). Open-air Gatherings.
August, Sweden (Stockholm)
Participation in Scensommar Internationell Groppteaterfestival: performances of Sorcery and The Life of Archpriest Avvakum combined with Gatherings and demonstrations of working methods.
September, Norway (Bergen, Svelvik)
Gatherings references to the "nature" of Sorcery. During the International Theatre Festival, M.Gołaj and T. Rodowicz run a seminar for students of a theatre school in Bergen.
September, Denmark (Arhus)
Performances of Sorcery, The Life of Archpriest Avvakum, a Gathering and a demonstration of the acting techniques
October, Sweden (Lund)
A seminar for students of a theatre school
Autumn, Gardzienice
The work on the creation of all-night-long theatrical activities (all performances and results of the studies of Teatro della Terra)

1986
May - June, the United States (Boston, Cambridge, Mass.)
Theatrical training and workshops for the academic and theatre circles.
June, Canada (Toronto)
Theatre workshops within the framework of the International Theatre Training Congress. Presentation of Avvakum and The Marathon cycle: Sorcery-Gathering-Avvakum, the methods of artistic work and documentation during The World Stage Festival.
June-July, United States (Baltimore, Md., Boston, Cambridge, Mass.)
Participation in the Theatre of Nations Festival in Baltimore: presentation of the Gathering - Avvakum - and the Marathon in St. Vincent a Paulo Church. Similar performances in Boston and Cambridge and a series of practical and theoretical seminars.
August - September, Switzerland (Bazel, Binn)
Presentation of An Evening Performance (revived), Sorcery and Avvakum at the culture festival in Basel. An Expedition - carried out together with many festival participants - to the mountain region of Wallis canton, along the routes taken by Goethe and the romantics and ending with An Evening Performance and all-night-long Gathering.
November, Federal Republic of Germany (Münster)
Presentation of the Marathon. A theatre workshop for actors

1987
March - May, Gardzienice
A series of workshop for small groups of trainees. Presentations of Avvakum.
May, United Kingdom, Ireland
A research reconnaissance undertaken by W. Staniewski in connection with a new performance.
June, Lublin, Gardzienice
W. Staniewski, assisted by J. Rodowicz, organizes an international symposium The Nature of The World in Theatre Cultures. It is focused on primordial techniques of singing, voice expression and musical structures of the speech (as the issues linked to the work on a performance based on Carmina Burana). Among those taking part in the symposium are theatre practitioners and theoreticians from Japan, Israel, the United States, the Federal Republic of Germany, Norway, Sweden, Lapland and Poland. Theatre workshops and performances are held.
October, Mexico
W. Staniewski's reconnaissance, following Artaud's route, to meet the Tarahumara Indians.
November, Belgium (Gent)
Performances of Avvakum during the festival 'The Poles Are Coming'.

1988
April, Gardzienice
Presentations of Avvakum
June, United States (New York)
Participation in The First New York International Festival of the Arts: eleven performances of Avvakum and Gatherings drawing on the musical motifs from Carmina Burana (in the chapel of St. John the Devine Cathedral)
August, South Korea (Seoul)
Participation in The Seoul Olympic Arts Festival: presentations of Avvakum. W. Staniewski undertakes a reconnaissance to get acquainted with the shaman Ku't ritual.
September-October, Gardzienice
Presentations of Avvakum
October
An Expedition to the Zamość region: post-reconnaissance
November, Warsaw
Participation in the 5th International Theatre Meetings: performance of Avvakum

1989
March - April, Gardzienice
Performances of The Life of Archpriest Avvakum
March, United Kingdom
A reconnaissance undertaken by Anna Zubrzycka and Tomasz Rodowicz.
March, Gardzienice
A preliminary meeting organized for participants in the Semester of Theatre Practices - a training program addresses mainly to the students throughout Poland. It includes theatre practice and seminars as well as the organization of expeditions and gatherings. Since then workshops for students, run by the most experienced "Gardzienice" actors (Mariusz Gołaj, Tomasz Rodowicz and later also others) under W. Staniewski's leadership, have been held regularly several times a year.
April - May, United Kingdom
Participation in the international Theatre Conference Points of Contact: Performance, Nature, Culture in Dartington: Gathering, a demonstration of the methods used by the company in their work, presentation of Avvakum. Druidstone Heaven: a theatre workshop initiating cooperation with the British theatre circles. Cardiff: presentation of the Marathon and Avvakum. Participation in the Fest Glasgow Mayfest: presentation of Avvakum, participation in the Brighton International Festival: The Marathon.
July
An Expedition to the Kurpie Region (the northern part of Mazovia), involving the Semester of Theatrical Practices participants.
Summer, Greece (Munt Athos, Athens)
W. Staniewski's reconnaissance to Mount Athos in search of musical material for Carmina Burana
October, Hungary (Budapest)
Participation in the 6th Festival of the Theatres of Movement - presentation of Avvakum
14 December, Gardzienice
The Local Authority in Piaski decides to handle over to the company the ruined palace outhouse in the village of Gardzienice for a perpetual lease. The restoration of the preserved rooms and reconstruction of the destroyed part of the outbuilding begins. The Gardzienice - Mill company composed of the purchases an old mill, which - when restored - is going to serve its original purpose as well as host cultural activities.

1990

1 January
The "Gardzienice" Centre for Theatre Practices changes its legal status and its transformed from an association into a national cultural institution.
April, Warsaw
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland awards "Gardzienice" a Diploma of Recognition for their outstanding contribution to the dissemination of Polish culture abroad.
May - June, Gardzienice
A work-session for the actors of the Alibi Theatre from London. Small Expeditions to several places are organized during the session.
First shots for Jacek Petrycki's film about the company.
Summer, Gardzienice
Rehearsals of Carmina Burana in the mill
August
Participation in the Feast of Transfiguration in Grabarka (the Orthodox Church cult place)
August - September, Italy
Presentation of Avvakum in Faenza; participation in the International Festival of Theatre, Music and Dance in Bergamo; the Marathon with musical fragments from Carmina Burana; a theatre workshop. On September 3 the first public concert based on the musical material for Carmina Burana takes place in a hermitage San Pietro Alle Stinche
October, Gardzienice
An international seminar Theatrical Practices and Ecology brings together theoreticians and practitioners from the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Soviet Union, Greece and Poland as well as those taking part in the Gardzienice Seminar of Theatrical Practices. Among the activities carried out are lectures, theatrical workshops, concerts as well as Gatherings for the inhabitants of the neighboring villages. Avvakum and - for the first time in Poland - Carmina Burana are performed.
November - December, Gardzienice
Presentations of The Life of Archpriest Avvakum and Carmina Burana
December, Czechoslovakia (Prague)
Centre of the Polish Culture: W.Staniewski (accompanied by A.Zubrzycka and G. Bral) demonstrates working methods.
December
Anna Zubrzycka goes on a reconnaissance to Australia and Mariusz Gołaj to New Guinea

1991

February - April, Gardzienice
Presentations of The Life of Archpriest Avvakum and Carmina Burana
April, the Ukraine (Huculsland, a region in the south-western part of Ukraine, inhabited by the Hucul highlanders)
A reconnaissance by H. Andruszko and M. Rychły preceding the Expedition to Ukraine
April, Lublin, Gardzienice
A Polish-Swedish symposium Theatre and Culture: the Province and the Centre brings together critics, actors, directors and theatre animators. Lectures, practice sessions, presentations and concerts are organized
April, Sweden (Gotland, Stockholm)
The first Expedition to Gotland. At the Polish Institute in Stockholm W. Staniewski demonstrates the actor's work during the session organized by the Jordcircus Theatre
May, Germany (Mulheim)
Participation in Theaterlandchaft Polen 3 Jahr - presentation of Carmina Burana
May - September, Gardzienice
Numerous presentations of Avvakum and Carmina Burana
May - June, Cracow
The life of Archpriest Avvakum and Carmina Burana are presented as part of artistic events accompanying a symposium of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE)
July, Germany (Munich)
The Festival Dialog mit Polen: presentation of Carmina Burana
August - September
W. Staniewski's reconnaissance to Turkmenistan
September, Gardzienice
An international symposium Theatrical Practices and Ecology involving the Gardzienice Seminars, workshops, concerts, demonstrations. Among participants are theatre practitioners and theoreticians as well as musicians from Ireland, Italy, Greece, the Soviet Union and Poland.
September-October, the Ukraine
The first Expedition to Ukraine. The company is accompanied by actors and theatre directors from the United Kingdom, Italy and the Ukraine as well as the "Gardzienice" Seminar participants. Jacek Petrycki films For a New Natural Environment of Theatre.
October, Sweden (Stockholm)
The second Polish - Swedish symposium on Theatre and Culture: the Province and the Centre. Lectures, seminars, demonstrations of working methods.
December, United Kingdom (Stratford)
Włodzimierz Staniewski, accompanied by G. Bral, M. Gołaj, E. Podleśna, D. Porowska and A. Zubrzycka runs a six day work-session for the actors of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

1992

February, Warsaw
The company participates in the 21th Warsaw Theatre Meetings and presents Avvakum and Carmina Burana
March- July - August, Gardzienice
Regular presentation of the Diptych (The life of Archpriest Avvakum and Carmina Burana).
Numerous working sessions for the students of the Warsaw University Department of Polish Culture. The participants of the Course of Theatre Instructors are preparing their own Expedition to Gotland.
April, Poznań
Two performances of the Diptych at the invitation of the Theatre of the Eight Day
June, Carcow
At the European Month of Culture the company presents the Diptych and a Gathering. Musicians from Ireland and the Huculsland (a region in the south - western part of the Ukraine, inhabited by the Hucul highlanders) take part.
August, Sweden (Gotland)
Sixteen participants in the "Gardzienice" working sessions organise their own a sailing Expedition to Gotland; together with the company, they also take part in W. Staniewski's open-air Event (Special Project). Performances of Carmina Burana in Gotland, Stockholm, Umea and Sundvall.
September - October, Ireland, Wales, England
The International Workshop Festival in Derry; presentation of the Diptych; a theatre workshop. An Expedition around Ireland. Presentations of Carmina Burana in Nottingham, Cardiff, Dartington as well as in the Royal Shakspeare Company in Stratford. The Diptych is also presented in London (St. Paul's Church, Hammersmith).
November - December, United Kingdom (Stratford)
W. Staniewski conducts a two-week theatre workshop for the actors of the Royal Shakspeare Company.

1993

March, Gardzienice
Young musicians, "Gardzienice" trainers, form a band called Hojra which cooperates with the company to carry out the Expedition to Ukraine.
April
W. Staniewski and J. Rodowicz go on the reconnaissance to Japan.
April, Gardzienice,
A workshop run by the "Gardzienice" actors and Cecily Berry from the Royal Shakspeare Company in Stratford for the Gardzienice course participants. Presentation of the Diptych.
May, Wrocław
The 30th Festival of Polish Contemporary Plays - presentation of the Diptych.
May, Toruń
The International Theatre Festival Contact' 93" presentation of the Diptych.
June, Gardzienice
Workshops to prepare the implementation of the project Hidden Territories (the Expedition to Ukraine)
June
M. Sadowska and Allain's reconnaissance to Ukraine.
July-August, Japan (Toga, Mito)
Participation in the Toga Festival'93: presentations of the Diptych. In Mito the company presents The Life of Archpriest Avvakum and Carmina Burana.
August - September, Gardzienice
Working sessions and training to prepare the company for the Expedition to Ukraine
September - October, The Ukraine
The International Artistic and Research Expedition Hidden Territories. The participants, divided into two groups, go on a trip to the region around Odessa, the Dniestr river area, the Southern Polesie (an area in the Bug, Desna, Dnieper and Prypeć river basins), and the East Carpathians (the neighbourhood of Verchovina) as well as the Crimea, Zaporoże, the Eastern Ukraine, the Northern Polesie, and the Huculsland (an area inhabited by the Hucul highlanders) in the Carpathians.
At the end of the Expedition there are about sixty people taking part, including: the "Gardzienice" company, the Gardzienice course participants, two theatre companies (from London and Los Angeles) and theatre researchers, directors, actors from the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, Ukraine and Poland. In the Huculsland, the Expedition ends with a great gathering. Later, in Lvov, the Kurbas Theatre hosts performances given by the companies participating in the Expedition, meetings and concerts of traditional musicians. Also in Lvov, "Gardzienice" presents The Life of Archpriests Avvakum and Carmina Burana in the Dominican Church.
7-10 October
The symposium Hidden Territories crowning the Expedition to Ukraine. All over the place, indoors - in the Outhouse, The Avvakum Hall, the mill and village cottages - and outdoors in the village of Gardzienice concerts, demonstrations, theatre sketches, performances and presentations of the Expedition documentation are held. The Expedition participants, foreign guests, the "Gardzienice" course participants, music bands and many theatre companies take part.
November
First shots for a television adaptation of The Life of Archpriest Avvakum and Carmina Burana.

1994

February, Gardzienice
Continuation of the course for Theatre Instructors
April, Wrocław
"Gardzienice" and the course participants take part in the session Theatre, Space, Body, Place organised by the Wrocław Friends of "Gardzienice" Society: demonstration of actor's work techniques by Mariusz Gołaj and Catherine Corrighan; a preview of the film adaptation of Avvakum.
May, Warsaw
A session organised by the Warsaw University Department of Polish Culture, covering the "Gardzienice" Expedition to Ukraine. W. Staniewski gives a lecture; films and actor's techniques are presented.
May, Warsaw
The Studio Gallery presents Theatrical Practices of Włodzimierz Staniewski's "Gardzienice" (Avvakum scenography, theatrical accessories, photogrammes from the Expeditions and performances). During the opening M. Gołaj and C. Corrighan demonstrate acting techniques.
During the Gathering with the Hojra band, the television adaptations of The Life of Archpriest Avvakum and Carmina Burana as well as Jacek Petrycki's film For a New Natural Environment of Theatre are presented.
May, Brazil (Sao Paulo)
Participation in the 4th International Theatre Festival: presentation of Carmina Burana. W. Staniewski and several actors take part in the Capueiros performance and the Condoble ritual.
June-August, Cracow
An exhibition Labyrinth Called Theatre (the BWA Gallery in Cracow) includes elements of the Avvakum scenography. Małgorzata Dziewulska hosts the meeting with Włodzimierz Staniewski at the Old Theatre.
July - September, Gardzienice
Another workshop for Theatre Instructors and Culture Animators. Work on a new performance continues.
October, Gardzienice
The crowning of the all-year cycle of courses for instructors: an Artistic Gathering, organised by the course participants under W. Staniewski's supervision. Among those taking part are singers from Suchumi (a Blach Sea port in Georgia), the Gypsies from Slovakia, women from the Połtava river region (the Ukraine), the company of the Kurbas Theatre in Lvov.
October, France ( Paris)
W. Staniewski, M. Sadowska, T. Rodowicz and C. Corrighan, take part in a meeting De la Parole aux Chants organised by Academie Experimentale Des Theatres: a lecture and a demonstration of an actor's work.

1995

January, United Kingdom (Stratford)
A work-session for a group of actors of the Royal Shakespeare Company: the work of the theatrisation of Apuleius' Metamorphoses. W. Staniewski and Howard Brenton work together on the dramatisation of the future performance.
August-September, Gardzienice
Presentations of Carmina Burana
August, United States (Boulder, Co., New York)
W. Staniewski, accompanied by M. Gołaj, D. Porowska, M. Mrowca and M. Sadowska, conducts theatre workshops at the Naropa Institute, the School of Continuing Education
October, Germany (Berlin)
Grenzenlos (Meetings with the Polish Culture): presentation of Carmina Burana.
October, Wrocław
Włodzimierz Staniewski gives a lecture at the University of Wrocław and conducts a workshop programme. Songs for the future performance are presented.
November, Katowice
The 4th Upper Silesia Festival of Chamber Music: presentation of Carmina Burana and a demonstration of the acting techniques. The opening of Mira Żelechower - Aleksiun's exhibition (at the Centre of the Polish Scenography) entitled Our "Gardzienice": on the Centre of Theatrical Practices.
December, Gardzienice
The Irish Nights: a series of Gatherings, concerts, workshop activities. Musicians from Ireland, the course participants and the villagers take part.

1996

March, Warsaw
During a meeting at the University of Warsaw W. Staniewski introduces Howard Brenton. The session is devoted to the work on Apuleius. A musical Gathering is organised.
July, Sweden (Lulea)
Participation in the Nordanlandens Teaterfestdagar - three presentations of Carmina Burana.
September, Egypt (Cairo)
Participation in the International Festival of Experimental Theatre; three presentations of Carmina Burana. The award of critics and audience for "Gardzienice". Gatherings arranged by "Gardzienice" in the traditional enclaves.
November, Ireland
Work-sessions - the continuation of the Irish project - run by Włodzimierz Staniewski, accompanied by M. Gołaj, M. Mrowca, M. Sadowska, E. Rojek, K. Forsmo and M. Rychły.
The first concert rehearsal for. Metamorphoses.
November, Germany (Landsberg)
Two presentations of the Diptych
November, Kłodzko
Participation in the 6th International Collision of Theatres: two presentations of Carmina Burana, presentation of the working techniques (including the musical material for Metamorphoses).
Autumn-winter, Gardzienice
Work on a new performance continues.

1997

September,, Gardzienice,
The 1st edition of the Academy of Theatre Practices starts
September 26-28, , Gardzienice,
"A Taste of Sabbath", the Festival of Jewish Culture (lead by Rabbi Michael Schudrich), including an exhibition of Mira Żelechower
-Aleksiun.
October 7-8, preview of Metamorphoses
October 8-9, Gardzienice, Lublin
The 20th anniversary of Gardzienice celebrated within the framework of Confrontations Theatre Festival. The Centre for Theatre Practices invited the following companies: Studium Teatralne (Warsaw) founded by Piotr Borowski ("The City"); Tragon Theatre(Wrocław) of Anna Zubrzycka and Grzegorz Bral ("A Song of the Goat"); Oyfn Veg from Denmark ("Idyllic"), Stella Polaris from Norway ("Open-Air Events"), actors from the National Theatre in Kiev, Ukraine ("Sveik"),
Scena 6 Theatre Company from Lublin ("Provincial Score"), Centro Teatrale Pontedera (Italy),("The Faulty Life: Secret Memorial of Pinnocchio"); "Węgajty"Village Theatre Company ("The Inn Towards the Eternal Peace") Kadmus Theatre Studio (USA) ("Dreaming Play").
An exhibition of Ann Karin Myklebostad (Norway) - Senses. Impression
on "Gardzienice".
October 9, Gardzienice
Presentation of Zbigniew Taranienko's book, "Gardzienice. Theatre Practices
of Włodzimierz Staniewski"
Preview of Metamorphoses
October 14 - 15, , Warsaw
Celebrating 20 years of "Gardzienice"
at Teatr Mały, organised by "Studnia O"
November 23 , Gardzienice
Gathering, a performance of Metamorphoses

1998

Every month regular 5 day's sessions
of the Academy of Theatre Practices take place.
May, Łemkowszczyzna
A joint expedition with the students
of
the Academy of Theatre Practices,
a performance of Carmina Burana
in Olchowiec.
June, Norway
Metamorphoses at the International Theatre Festival in Porsgrunn,
October, Sweden
Metamorphoses at "Landscape X" Festival
on Utopia and Dystrophy, in the scheme
of "Stockholm - a cultural capital
of Europe'98" project
October 30, Gardzienice
"Anthropological Imagination" session, participants included the Institute of Polish Culture at the Warsaw University

October, Lublin
Metamorphoses performed at the International Theatre Festival "Confrontations"
November, USA
An American tour on the invitation of Double Edge company.
Performances of Metamorphoses, Gatherings and week-long workshops at Bennington College, Central Connecticut University, State University
of New York, Buffalo. Włodzimierz Staniewski's lectures at Bennington College.
A football match between Gardzienica
and campus..
Belgium, "Metamorphoses" at the Gent Theatre Festival

1999

March, Warsaw
"Metamorphoses" at the Centre for Contemporary Art, The End of the Century Theatre Festival and working sessions for the candidates for the Academy of Theatre Practices.
May, France, Nancy
Metamorphoses at "Passages" Festival
May 22-23, Olchowiec, Łemkowszczyzna,
An expedition with the Academy of Theatre Practices students
June 25-29, Berlin
Metamorphoses (in Parochialkirche) at Der Welt, International Theatre Festival
July 2-4, "The Cosmos of Gardzieniec" in Berlin
August, Slovakia
A joint expedition with the Academy of Theatre Practices students
October 12-16, Cracow,
"Mysteries and Initiations', an international symposium, concept by Włodzimierz Staniewski, within the scheme of
"Kraków 2000" Festival. Metamorphoses performed during the symposium

October, Saraievo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Metamorphoses at the International Theatre Festival "Mess". Awarded
"Golden Laurel Wreath".
October 6-9, Lublin, Gardzienice
The 1st edition of OFF-Confrontations within 'Confrontations International Theatre Festival.

2000

An agreement concluded according to which the Centre for Theatre Practices is co-patronaged by the Voivodeship Marshal and Ministry of Culture and Art.
January 15, Gardzienice
New Year Gathering for the inhabitants of the Gardzienice neighbourhood.
March 28 - April 2, Italy (Modena)
Metamorphoses performed at the invitation of Emilio Romagna Teatro
May, Ljubliana, Slovenia
Metamorphoses at the International Theatre Festival Gladisko- Polesni Abonma
May 30 - June 8, Wrocław
Metamorphoses and the Cosmos by Gardzienice performed at the invitation of 'The Research Centre of Jerzy Grotowski's Work and Theatre-Cultural Investigations' and Lord Mayor of Wrocław. Workshops at the Wrocław University.
June 13-14, Hanover, Germany
Metamorphoses in Christuskirche, Klagesmarkt at SCENA
- Internationales Festival Theater & Religion
June 24-25, Gardzienice
"The Cosmos by Gardzienice"
August 8-13, Gardzienice
"The Balkan Nights" - concerts, workshops, lectures, guests including Group of High Singing from Satovcha village in the Rhodope Mountains (Bulgaria);
and Slobodan Markowich's group from Slatina village (the border of Serbia and Romania).
August 12-13, Gardzienice
"The Cosmos" performed at the Consortium of Theatre Practices (organised by Centre for Theatre Practices, Double Edge Theatre and Kadmus Theatre (USA))
September 11-14, Düsseldorf, Germany
Metamorphoses at Festival der Kammeroper,
September 14 - 18, Bielefeld, Germany
Metamorphoses at "360°" Festival,
September 25-27, Warsaw,
Metamorphoses performed at the National Theatre during the Warsaw Theatre Encounters Festival
October 4-7, Lublin, Gardzienice,
OFF - Confrontations Festival
October 7-14, Cracow
"Mysteries, Initiations" festival, a concept by Włodzimierz Staniewski within the scheme of "Cracow 2000" project,
including presentations, lectures, workshops, films about Centre for Theatre Practices. A performance of Metamorphoses.
December 16-17, Gardzienice, Lublin
The first edition of
"Ukraine - Poland - Europe" project
A CD of "Metamorphoses" is released

2001

January 21 - March 2, USA
January 23, New York,Włodzimierz Staniewski's lecture at the University
of New York,
January 24-28 , New York, Metamorphoses
at La MaMa Theater,
January 31, Albequerque, New Mexico, workshops and lectures for students,
the University of New Mexico,
February 2-4 , New Mexico, Metamorphoses performed,
February 5-8, expeditions to the Indian villages of Taos Pueblo
and Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico,
February 10-21, Ashfield, the Consortium
of Theatre Practices,
February 23-24, workshops at the Columbia University
February 28 - March 1, Boston, performances and workshops at the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology,
May 23-25, Moscow, Russia
Metamorphoses presented at the 3rd International Theatre Olympic Games organized by the Meyerhold Centre
in Moscow.

Gardzienice company run master classes
for actors, directors and students.
July 15-31, Bułgaria
A reconaissance by Tomasz Rodowicz
and Maciej Rychły within the scheme
of the Ancient Orchestra project,
August 12-28, Gardzienice
Consortium for Theatre Practices, open rehearsals (work in progress) "Euripides", performances of Metamorphoses
August 28- September 2, Ukraine,
(Kiev, Poltava Region - Kriechkiwka)
a reconnaissance by Marcin Mrowca
September/October - Ukraine
(Kiev, Poltava Region, Polesie),
a reconnaissance by Mariana Sadowska
October 24-27, Lublin, Gardzienice
OFF - Confrontations. The first performance of 'The Scenes from the Dead Class" directed by Krzysztof Miklaszewski, performed
by the graduates of the second edition
of the Academy of Theatre Practices,
the first concert of the Ancient Orchestra
November 9-11, Gardzienice
A session with the participation of the Institute of Polish Culture at the Warsaw University,
November 16-17, Gardzienice, Lublin
Presentations of the Jerzy Grotowski Research Centre from Wrocław
(students of the Academy of Theatre Practices as participants.
November 30 - December 2- the 3rd edition of Ukraine "Ukraine - Poland - Europe" project
December 4, 5 - concerts of the Ancient Orchestra
with guest musicians Spassov and Stoyan Yankulov.

2002

January 20, Gardzienice
New Year Gathering for the inhabitants
of the Gardzienice neighbourhood within
the scheme of the Village Programme

February,Lublin
'Enchanted Polesie' an exhibition of Magda Kamola's photographs at the Centre
for Theatre Practices Gallery in Grodzka 5a

March, Lublin
A cycle of literary meetings, "Gardzienice
- Czarne", Marius Ivaskievicius, a Lithuanian prose writer, an author of 'A Story from
the Cloud' (presented by Andrzej Stasiuk)

March ,Lublin
At the gallery :"Meeting 1", an exhibition
of Adam Myjak's sculpture and Marian Czapla's painting (curator: Zbigniew Taranienko, project coordinator:
Monika Kubat)

May, Lublin,
A literary meeting with Rumunian writer Simona Popescu, an author of "Wylinka" (presented by Andrzej Stasiuk

June 15, Gardzienice
A concert of the Ancient Orchestra Orkiestry Antycznej z with Bulgarian musicians Theodossi Spassov and Stoyan Yankulov

June 15, USA, Los Angeles
Włodzimierz Staniewski participates
in the international symposium
on contemporary performances of Greek drama (Symposium on Contemporary Performance of Ancient Greek Drama

June 27- 29, Warsaw
Master Class at the Warsaw Theatre Academy at the International Festival
of Theatre Schools) run by Włodzimierz Staniewski and the actors of the Centre
for Theatre Practices

June 29 - July 1,Gardzienice
Concerts of Russian and Portuguese groups participating in the 17th International Folk Meetings in Lublin (the Village Programme

July 1, Gardzienice
A visit of Andrzej Celiński, Minister of Culture in Gardzienice.
Włodzimierz Staniewski, Tomasz Rodowicz and Mariusz Gołaj are awared the Orders
of Honour by President of Poland.
A performance of "Metamorphoses"

August 1-11, Gardzienice
The Consortium for Theatre Practices,
a workshop for students, actors and directors from the USA, students of the Academy
of Theatre Practices and participants from France and Australia.

August 18, Jarosław,
a concert of the Ancient Orchestra,
(an inauguration of the Festival
of the Songs of Our Roots)

October 8-13, Lublin, Gardzienice
the 7th International Theatre Festival, "Confrontations"
The 25th Jubilee of the Centre for Theatre Practices "Gardzienice"
Look: Recent Events

November 20-27, Spain, (Alcaniz, Saragossa)
"Gardzienice" perform in Alcaniz
and Saragossa (Spain) in the scheme
of the Polish Year in Spain, in collaboration with the Centre of International Cultural Cooperation and the Adam Mickiewicz Institute.

November 21-23, Alcaniz
A workshop for 45 students and lecturers from the Theatre School of the Aragon Region,

November 22, Alcaniz

November 25-26, Saragossa, the Pablo Serano Modern Art Museum Sztuki Współczesnej,
A performance of "Metamorphoses".

December 14, Lublin
A literary meeting, Bora Ćosić, an author
of 'A Role of a Family in the World Revolution' presented by Andrzej Stasiuk

December 15-18,Latvia, Ryga
A master class for actors and directors run
by Włodzimierz Staniewski

December 20, Warsaw
A concert of Antic Orchestra at the Centre
for Contemporary Art