The Remembrance Museum of the Land of Oświęcim invites you to a performance of Wojtek the Bear, a play by Tadeusz Słobodzianek based on the true story of the famous Persian bear adopted by Polish soldiers of Anders’ Army during World War II and who famously “took part” in the Battle of Monte Cassino. The title role will be performed by Michał Piela, an actor widely known to Polish audiences from the television series Father Matthew (Ojciec Mateusz).
The narrator of the story is Wojtek the Bear himself. Through his eyes, audiences follow the history of the Polish II Corps—from its formation in Iraq, through the realities of the Battle of Monte Cassino, to its disbandment in Scotland after the war. Wojtek also introduces us to the everyday life of the soldiers and the individuals he grew attached to—men of different backgrounds, personalities, and life stories. To them, Wojtek was more than a mascot. He was a companion they cared for, played with, and, at times, confided in, sharing their fears, dreams, and wartime experiences. In this story, Wojtek becomes a keeper of human memories and historical events, revealing them to contemporary audiences. He appears almost like a war veteran reflecting on his years of service while struggling to find his place in the post-war world. The performance is both humorous and deeply moving—a story about friendship, courage, loyalty, and resilience, but also about the irony and tragedy of human (and animal) fate.
Author
TADEUSZ SŁOBODZIANEK
Playwright, dramaturg, theater critic, director, and producer. From 2012 to 2022, he served as Artistic and Managing Director of the Dramatic Theatre of Warsaw. He is also the founder and Artistic Director of the educational initiative Drama Laboratory and the School of Drama.
He is the author of Our Class, the most frequently performed Polish play abroad. The production has been staged in cities including Oslo, New York, Paris, Athens, Budapest, Seoul, Tel Aviv, London, Tokyo, and São Paulo. The play received Poland’s prestigious Nike Literary Award in 2010. His other notable works include Jacob’s Story, Young Stalin, and The Art of Intonation.
Director
ALDONA FIGURA
A graduate of the Theater Academy in Kraków with a degree in directing and of the University of Warsaw with a degree in English studies. Her directing debut was Molière’s Scapin’s Deceptions, staged in 2000 at the Jelenia Góra Theatre. Her recent productions include The Raven from the Tower by Andrei Ivanov (Dramatic Theatre Warsaw) and Jacob’s Story (Ateneum Theatre).
Performer
MICHAŁ PIELA
Michał Piela graduated from the Theatre Academy in Warsaw in 2003. He is best known for his television work, particularly for his role as Sergeant Mieczysław Nocuł in the popular series Father Matthew (Ojciec Mateusz). He regularly performs on the stages of numerous Warsaw theaters and is also active as a voice actor.
Music
MATEUSZ WACHOWIAK Accordionist, pianist, composer, and arranger. A graduate of the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, he collaborates regularly with numerous ensembles and Warsaw theaters, including the Dramatic Theatre, Powszechny Theatre, Kwadrat Theatre, and Ateneum Theatre.
KAROL PODKUL Professional musician, accordionist, and educator. He studied at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw and collaborates with several Warsaw theaters, including the Jewish Theatre, Polonia Theatre, Dramatic Theatre, Polish Theatre, and Kwadrat Theatre. A laureate of approximately twenty national and international competitions, he has performed with the Warsaw Philharmonic and appeared in numerous countries across Europe and Asia. Deeply rooted in world music traditions, he performs Polish, Balkan, Greek, Romani, and French folk music and actively participates in a wide range of musical projects.
The Remembrance Museum of the Land of Oświęcim
Maksymiliana Kolbego 2A
32-600 Oświęcim
www.muzeumpamieci.pl
May 31, 2026 (Sunday) 4:00 PM
FREE ADMISSION
Please register by May 28: +48 33 447 40 84 biuro@muzeumpamieci.pl
