At the Powszechny Theater in Lodz, for the past 19 years, visually impaired people have been attending performances in the “Theater for the Blind and Visually Impaired” series. It was created in 2005 by Ewa Pilawska (director of the Theater), who directs all premieres as part of the series. - Our motto is “Theater close to the people.” We are open to all audiences, so at some point the idea and need to create a theater for the blind and visually impaired was born naturally. He met with the openness of the late Teresa Wrzesinska - an extraordinary person, then president of the Lodz branch of the Polish Association of the Blind, who said: “Let's give it a try!” She was the good spirit of this project,” stresses Ewa Pilawska, director of the Powszechny Theater in Lodz. The series is the only project in Poland and unique in Europe prepared specifically for the blind and visually impaired. Its comprehensive nature is based on the creation of theatrical performances, fully taking into account the cognitive capabilities, needs and expectations of visually impaired people. The performances use symbolic decoration and costumes, and the emphasis is primarily on audio details (as well as sensory and olfactory impressions). An additional character of a didaskalius is introduced, who reads descriptions of the appearance of characters, interior layout or stage action. The presentations are accompanied by theater programs - including programs in Braille. Each premiere is a staging of a new text, not yet performed on the stage of the Popular Theater. Blind people each time are spectators of a performance created especially for them. So far, 74 premieres have been staged at the Powszechny Theater in Lodz as part of the series. Partners of the Theater for the Blind and Visually Impaired include the Polish Association of the Blind and the Lodz School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Thanks to cooperation with Radio Lodz, the premieres of “Theater for the Blind and Visually Impaired” are broadcast live on Radio Lodz's airwaves, so that their audience can also include people who cannot get to the Theater due to their health condition. For the “Theater for the Blind and Visually Impaired” project, Ewa Pilawska has received many awards and decorations, including the award of the President of the European Blind Union, Lord Colin Low, the Golden Badgę of Honor of the Polish Association of the Blind, the “Friend of the Blind” decoration and the title “Idol of the community.” The Powszechny Theater was chosen by the community of the blind and visually impaired as the “Cultural Institution of the Lodz Voivodeship.
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