Year 2011

I EVS

In 2011, Teatr Brama participated in the EVS (European Voluntary Service, now the European Solidarity Corps) project for the first time, hosting two volunteers from different parts of Europe for a year: Frauque Gliman from Germany and Alejandro Parages Martinez from Spain. Their presence gave the Goleniów community an opportunity to engage with previously unfamiliar cultures and perspectives.

12th BRAMAT Festival

In 2010, Robert Krupowicz, a former West Pomeranian Voivode, was elected mayor of Goleniów. Although he ran on the Civic Platform’s ticket, he quickly showed that his focus was not on party interests but on the well-being of the town’s residents. That same year, he attended a performance of Emotion in Sound at Rampa and immediately fell in love with Brama. As he said in an interview for Droga Bramy:

“I knew that if I wanted to transform this town – and I felt (perhaps a bit megalomaniacally) called to do so – I needed some metaphysics here. […] Even if I built countless gyms or modernized every school, it would never be enough without some kind of ‘chemistry’ in the essence of the town.”

He decided to use his authority as mayor to bring Daniel Jacewicz and his team back to Goleniów. That year, BRAMAT was held under the name 12th Goleniów Theatrical Encounters BRAMAT: A Meeting of Artists You Can Call on Sunday. It also marked the festival’s return to the Goleniów House of Culture.

During the festival, one performance (by the ever-reliable Arti Grabowski) was held in the newly renovated future home of the Theater at Zielona Droga 9, in the room behind the town amphitheater. Some events also took place on Mikołajczyk Street in Goleniów.

The festival began with the signing of the Open Gates project agreement, which aimed to revitalize parts of Goleniów’s urban space. The event was executed with great flair: a red carpet, a limousine escorted by police to bring dignitaries, Daniel in a tailcoat and top hat, and even a dwarf. Brama wasn’t merely returning to Goleniów; it was storming back with a battering ram, knocking the town’s gates off their hinges and planting its flag atop the tower. Soon, the theater would once again transform the town into its home.

15 Years of Teatr Brama

Shortly after the festival, Teatr Brama celebrated its 15th anniversary. The occasion was marked with a gala concert at the Goleniów House of Culture, featuring excerpts from plays, songs from other events organized by the Theater, such as Evenings of Actor’s Songs, cabaret scenes, and more. Over two hours, the concert showcased a retrospective of the theater’s history. The celebration didn’t end there – the next day, a grand party was held with friends from all over Poland.

Teatr Brama in the Amphitheater

The official opening of Teatr Brama’s new home in the Goleniów amphitheater at Zielona Droga 9 took place on December 28, 2011. For several months, the current ensemble had renovated the former “Studio” nightclub independently, without professional help (apart from installing blackout blinds and fire doors) but with support from local friends. Walls were demolished, new doors installed, electrical work completed, and the main hall adapted for performances.

The first event in the new venue was a performance of Emotion in Sound, held the same day that the international project SnowSound began. In the former storage rooms, Jacek Gałkiewicz set up a recording studio. This space was destined to become the Theater’s base and a hub for cultural activities with international reach.

The Formation of the Children’s Group

The new headquarters brought new responsibilities. Daniel was rehired by the House of Culture as a theater instructor, and as part of his “debt repayment” to the town, regular, free theater workshops for youth began in September. Additionally, at the initiative of Aleksandra Nykowska, a children’s group called Mała Brama (Little Brama) was formed. The group operated until 2019, when changes in the team left no one able to continue such activities.

In the meantime, the group created several plays that, despite the young age of the actors, were warmly received not only by parents but also by visiting theater professionals. This was one of Brama’s first steps toward rebuilding a friendly, intergenerational community. In October 2020, a new generation of youth was invited to continue Brama’s story under the guidance of Evanthi Athanasiadi.

Statistics:

• Events: 47, including:
  • Performances: 36 (Emotion in Sound: Apotheosis: 20, My: 2, The Party: 2, others: 12)
  • Concerts: 11