Polish twist to World Theatre Day

In writing the address, which has been translated into 20 languages, Warlikowski follows in the footsteps of luminaries such as Luchino Visconti, Peter Brook and Maurice Bejart.

Citing Franz Kafka's ruminations on the mythical Ancient Greek figure of Prometheus, Warlikowski notes that ''the legend seeks to explain what cannot be explained.

''Because it is grounded in truth, it must end in the inexplicable.

''I feel strongly that the same words should describe the theatre,'' Warlikowski affirms.

''And it is that kind of theatre, one which is grounded in truth and which finds its end in the inexplicable that I wish for all its workers, those on the stage and those in the audience, and I wish that with all my heart.''

Chiming in with World Theatre Day, theatres across Poland have reduced ticket prices for all keen to take part.

The day was inaugurated in 1961 by the World Theatre Institute.

Krzysztof Warlikowski was born in Szczecin in 1962 and he is considered one of Poland's most intriguing directors. His productions have been staged at many of the world's leading arts festivals, including France's Festival d'Avignon and New York's Next Wave Festival. (nh)