Sam used to say that "he lacked qualifications for life, which is why he succeeded in acting." What was Jan Nowicki really like, and how is he remembered as a person and artist, is discussed by: - Aleksandra Szarłat, author of the biography "Jan Nowicki. Part Angel, Part Devil." - Questions by: Łukasz Maciejewski. - Excerpts from the book are read and a colleague is remembered by: Daniel Olbrychski. 📅 September 10 (Wednesday), 7:00 PM 📍 Big Book Cafe MDM, ul. Koszykowa 34/50 Come in person, the event is only for on-site attendees. 🎟️ Free admission! Event partner: Agora Publishing After the event, the author will sign premiere copies of the book! ABOUT THE BOOK: This is the first complete biography of Jan Nowicki – one of Poland's most outstanding actors, whose roles in "Wielki Szu," "Sanatorium pod Klepsydrą," and "Biesy" have forever etched themselves into the history of Polish culture. Aleksandra Szarłat, speaking with dozens of people from the actor's closest circle, as well as with him personally on multiple occasions, creates a fascinating portrait of an artist – provocative, charismatic, and full of contradictions. From his childhood in Kowal, through his glory years at the Stary Theatre, to his final days in his beloved Krzewent – the author traces Nowicki's professional journey and complex personal life. Relationships with Márta Mészáros and other women, friendships with the greatest creators of Polish culture (like Piotr Skrzynecki and Andrzej Wajda), as well as his late passion for writing, form the image of a man who defied all conventions. It is also a story about Polish theater and cinema in the second half of the 20th century, about Krakow's artistic bohemia, and about life during the PRL era and the transformation period. Above all, however, it is the story of an actor who – as he said – "lacked qualifications for life, which is why he succeeded in acting." "I don't know how many times a day he was himself. Probably rarely. As an actor, he created masks, which is natural. Except that he rarely took them off afterward." – Zofia Domalik ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Aleksandra Szarłat – journalist, author of books. She has published articles in magazines such as: "Twój Styl," "Elle," "Gala," "Przegląd," "Polityka," "Film," "Pani," "Sens," "Sukces," "Rzeczpospolita," "Sztandar Młodych." She is the author of books: "SPATiF. The Intoxicating Illusion of Freedom" (2022), "Żuławski. Shaman" (2019), "First Ladies of the Third Republic of Poland" (2016), "Celebrities of Those Years" (2014), "Presenters. Tele-PRL" (2012). Co-author of: "The World of Andrzej Fidyk" (2017), "Stars' Interiors" (2011), as well as novels: "Don't Go to the Park on Sunday" (1982) and "The Gods of Our Planet" (1981). Animal lover, cinema enthusiast, passionate about good literature and distant travels. Also those into the past, as evidenced by her books. Because the past builds our identity. She publishes in Polish, English, French, and Dutch, and has been promoting Polish culture internationally for years.
