Tu Warszawa
Before reading the following passage please consider watching The Making of Tu Warszawa. This short film is likely to give you some idea of the breadth of the undertaking described below.
On 1 July 2011 we produced four large open air events in Warsaw, Poland. All four were part of the artistic programme put together by the National Audiovisual Institute to celebrate the beginning of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. All four have together gathered an estimated audience of 50 thousand people. This number is particularly impressive given the atrocious weather in Warsaw throughout the day. The National Audiovisual Institute have written about all four events here (Polish only); below we are focusing on the night's biggest one, Tu Warszawa, staged at the foot of the Poland's capital most prominent landmark, the Palace of Culture and Science. The night was nothing short of remarkable.
Firstly, over 150 artists. Among them Chris Botti, Angie Stone, Dolores O'Riordan, Tricky, Leszek Możdżer, Tomasz Stańko, Zohar Fresco, Adam Sztaba Orchestra, Sinfonia Varsovia, Manhattan Transfer, Michael Bolton, Kenny G, Perfect, Myslovitz, Lech Janerka, Janusz Olejniczak, Sebastian Karpiel-Bułecka,
On 1 July 2011 we produced four large open air events in Warsaw, Poland. All four were part of the artistic programme put together by the National Audiovisual Institute to celebrate the beginning of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. All four have together gathered an estimated audience of 50 thousand people. This number is particularly impressive given the atrocious weather in Warsaw throughout the day. The National Audiovisual Institute have written about all four events here (Polish only); below we are focusing on the night's biggest one, Tu Warszawa, staged at the foot of the Poland's capital most prominent landmark, the Palace of Culture and Science. The night was nothing short of remarkable.
Firstly, over 150 artists. Among them Chris Botti, Angie Stone, Dolores O'Riordan, Tricky, Leszek Możdżer, Tomasz Stańko, Zohar Fresco, Adam Sztaba Orchestra, Sinfonia Varsovia, Manhattan Transfer, Michael Bolton, Kenny G, Perfect, Myslovitz, Lech Janerka, Janusz Olejniczak, Sebastian Karpiel-Bułecka,
Secondly, three stages (purpose-built in five days, delivered with all equipment by 11 large and 9 regular lorries), a specially designed tent & cabin city, 35 dressing rooms inside the Palace, 8 stage managers, 9 artist attendants, 12 cars, 140 hotel rooms, 800 half-litre water bottles and 60 kg of bananas for artists alone (4000 half-litre bottles for the crew). In short: higher-level logistics bringing our culture closer to Europe.
Thirdly, close to 20,000 people in attendance, despite piercing cold and rain. Yes, we are repeating ourselves; this deliberate action is not meant for dramatic effect, but to emphasize the piercing, un-july-like cold.
Fourthly, a mind-blowing and enthusiastically received fireworks display. According to the specialists from the German company
FlashArt, who prepared and carried out this part of the show, with lower humidity the display could have been even more impressive.
Fifthly, an emotional and spirited performance of some of the most important songs in the post-war history of Polish music by the above star foreign artists. With lyrics specially translated into English and music specially arranged for this occasion by the best in the business in Poland, the artistic level of the concert truly lived up to the expectations.
Sixthly, some of the most exciting Polish contemporary musicians in great form.
Seventhly, flattering reviews. All of them in Polish, unfortunately. Here are some of them: rp.pl, newsweek.pl, gazeta.pl, onet.pl.
The show, written and directed by Krzysztof Materna and Kuba Wojewódzki, was a spectacular artistic and organisational success of MM Communications. It was broadcast live by TVP 1 (Polish national TV) with help of 18 cameras.
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Our gallery features photographs by TSE (light specialists), FlashArt (firework specialists), as well as photographer Joanna Pieczara.
If at the top of this page, instead of watching Michał Materna's short film, you decided to read on, here's another chance: The Making of Tu Warszawa.