Krakow Theatre Relocates Ukrainian Flag Amid Threats

The news in Polish

1. dyrektor  (m.)
   osoba, która kieruje jakąś instytucją lub organizacją ↩︎
2. fasada  (f.)
   zewnętrzna ściana budynku, często jego frontowa część ↩︎
3. zagrożenie  (n.)
   sytuacja, która może powodować niebezpieczeństwo lub szkodę ↩︎
4. atak  (m.)
   działanie mające na celu skrzywdzenie kogoś lub zniszczenie czegoś ↩︎
5. solidarność  (f.)
   postawa polegająca na wspieraniu innych w trudnych sytuacjach ↩︎
6. potępiać
   wyrażać dezaprobatę dla kogoś lub czegoś, krytykować ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: Where was the Ukrainian flag moved to in the theatre?

Question 2: What is the reason for moving the flag inside the theatre?

Vocabulary

Polish	English
dyrektor  (m.)	director
fasada  (f.)	facade
zagrożenie  (n.)	threat
atak  (m.)	attack
solidarność  (f.)	solidarity
potępiać	condemn

Read the full story

The director of the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Krakow, Poland, has moved the Ukrainian flag that was previously displayed prominently on the theatre’s facade to the building’s interior. This decision was announced by Krzysztof Głuchowski, the theatre’s director, who expressed a sense of “pain and shame” in having to make this change.

Głuchowski emphasized that the move was made reluctantly and was prompted by increasing attacks and the need to ensure the safety of the theatre’s staff. The growing threats, including a recent incident where the Ukrainian flag was unlawfully removed and then replaced, precipitated the decision. Głuchowski mentioned a specific threat where the perpetrators warned that if the flag was not removed within 30 minutes, a group of men would come to “destroy the theatre”. This was reported to the police, who have since apprehended the individual responsible for these threats.

The Ukrainian flag had been displayed since February 2022 as a gesture of solidarity with the Ukrainian people amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. It now hangs inside the theatre, alongside the Polish flag. Despite these external threats, Głuchowski affirmed the institution’s continued support for Ukraine. He described the flag removal demands as an attack not only on the theatre but also on the principles of freedom and solidarity — values that should unite rather than divide the nation.

These events are part of a broader trend of conflicts surrounding symbols of solidarity with Ukraine, with similar incidents occurring at other locations in Krakow, including the Polish Gymnastic Society “Sokół”. The local police have been involved in these cases, dealing with charges related to disturbances and coercive behaviour.

While the Ukrainian flag will no longer be displayed outside, the theatre vows to remain a place of solidarity and openness, continuing its support for Ukraine and standing against the intimidation that has accompanied this situation.

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