Writer Wiktor Osiatyński remembered the director as a man who accepted his illness as a gift, an opportunity to discover new things, places and experiences. Those close to him emphasized the exceptional vitality, energy and clear mind of Henryk Baranowski, which he retained almost until the day of his death.
The farewell to the director in Bolesławiec was organized by Józefina Witas (Agora bookshop). The program included an interview with Baranowski conducted twenty years earlier for local television (today Azart Sat). In the interview, viewers could hear the artist talk about his mission to build ambitious and unconventional theatre in Poland, his years in exile and difficult return to the country after 1989, as well as his affection for Bolesławiec and its surroundings.
The remarkable evening concluded with Jerzy Janeczek telling his story of the late artist. The actor’s account was deeply moving; he spoke with respect and admiration about working with the director at Polish Radio Theatre. At the end, Janeczek recited a poem written by the deceased artist. In it, the philosopher and poet asked God to let him listen once more to the birds singing in Kliczków, where he had spent his childhood.
Henryk Baranowski died in Warsaw in August 2013. His body was buried at Warsaw’s Powązki Cemetery.
(information: Grażyna Hanaf)