Košice theatre is a phenomenon intertwined with all spheres of life in the metropolis of eastern Slovakia. The historic theatre building in the heart of the city inspires admiration already from the outside. Its spacious auditorium has witnessed countless emotions during thousands of performances. Directors, actors, musicians and visual artists from around the world have left their lasting mark here.The East Slovak Museum in Košice, a cultural institution of the Košice Self-Governing Region, is joining the celebrations of Košice theatre anniversaries with the ceremonial opening of the intermedia exhibition Theatre in the Museum, the Museum in the Theatre.
This season marks the jubilee 80th theatrical season of Košice theatre as the country’s second national stage (1945 – State Theatre Košice), as well as 100 years since the establishment of a permanent theatre institution (1924 – East Slovak National Theatre). Through a modern, unconventional approach, the exhibition offers a view into history via a wide range of artefacts such as sets, costumes, scripts, archival photographs, sketches and stories. Its central theme, however, is technology, which transforms visitors into direct participants on the “boards that mean the world”.
“From the shadows of the past, many perhaps already forgotten acting faces, unique stage designs and fragments hidden away in the theatre’s extensive depositories re-emerge in the museum. We are delighted that four major Košice institutions have joined forces and can celebrate the rich history of Košice theatre together through this exhibition. This is not a traditional display of artefacts – visitors move through situations reminiscent of the stage, the auditorium and the museum environment,” invites museum director Dominik Béreš.
In addition to the East Slovak Museum and the National Theatre, the Faculty of Arts of the Technical University of Košice also collaborated on the project, providing a specific spatial and visual concept. Artists, lecturers and students, under the guidance of curators Peter Maťo, Richard Kitta and Martin Kolčák, combined traditional and new media. The result is a playful space for memories and imagination. The Košice studio of STVR also contributed to the exhibition materials.
“Significant theatrical achievements, renowned personalities and a reputation extending beyond the country’s borders form a successful story that has been written for decades and continues to this day. Theatre in the Košice Region has always had its importance and strong foundations. I am pleased that we are hosting an exhibition at the regional museum that allows us to join the celebrations of these important eastern Slovak theatre anniversaries,” adds the Chairman of the Košice Self-Governing Region, Rastislav Trnka.
The exhibition Theatre in the Museum, the Museum in the Theatre is already open to the public and can be found in the Historic Building of the East Slovak Museum on Marathon of Peace Square. Its ceremonial opening, accompanied by a discussion with the project’s authors, will take place on 20 February at 3:00 p.m., when a memorandum of cooperation between the Košice Self-Governing Region and the Košice theatre will also be signed. The exhibition will be open to the public until the end of June, and in the coming weeks visitors can look forward to engaging talks, guided tours and live artistic performances from the worlds of opera, ballet and drama.
The project is supported by public funds thanks to financial backing from the Slovak Arts Council, with co-financing provided by the Košice Self-Governing Region.
