Exhibition H.C. Andersen in Poland
The exhibition arranged by the National Library and The Danish Cultural Institute in Poland, regarded the reception of the writer's work in the Polish culture. It consisted of - historically shown - various editions of the fairy-tales in Poland, original book-illustrations, theatre posters, elements of theatre scenographies, recordings, etc. The exhibition could be visited in the National Library from 31.03 to 14.05.2005.
The point was to present the variety of the old editions of the fairy tales and to underline the most significant contemporary phenomena as e.g. book illustrations made by the unforgettable Polish artist Jan Marcin Szancer, as well as the reception of H.C. Andersen's work in Polish theatres.
According to the theatrical consultant of the exhibition, Agnieszka Koecher Hensel from the Art Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences, at least 250 premiere perfomances based on H.C. Andersen's fairy tales took place in Poland after the War. Today, in the HCA-Year, the Polish theatres stage more than 50 HCA-performances.
The paining above, presenting H.C. Andersen reading his fairy tales for children, was painted in 1862 by Elisabeth Jerichau Baumann, a Danish painter of Polish origin. (Odense Bys Museer)