08.07.2021
The Dramatic Theatre im. Aleksandra Węgierki in Białystok signed a contract with Budimex SA for the modernisation of the historic building of the institution. The expected completion date of the investment is the beginning of 2023.
The theatre announced a tender for a general renovation of its headquarters in February this year. In May, the institution selected the most advantageous offer – Budimex SA. The task will be carried out thanks to funding from the Government Local Investment Fund. Funds for modernization have also been planned in the Long-Term Financial Forecast of the Podlaskie Voivodeship.
– For over 70 years, Białystok and the entire region have been waiting for the reconstruction of the Drama Theatre. It became possible thanks to PLN 26 million from the Government Local Investment Fund, as well as money from the voivodeship budget. This investment shows that the Polish government recognizes the needs of the capital of the Podlaskie Voivodeship and supports investments that serve the residents. I am glad that our promise from the local elections in 2018 is becoming a reality. I hope that in two years we will meet in a modern, comfortable and, above all, friendly to people with disabilities Theatre – said Artur Kosicki, Marshal of the Podlaskie Voivodeship.
On Wednesday, 7 July, Dr Martyna Faustyna Zaniewska – Deputy Director of the Drama Theatre and Andrzej Sowa – Regional Director of Budimex SA signed a contract for the modernisation of the Theatre building.
– This day will certainly go down in the history of our institution. The long-awaited renovation will finally come true. The time of creating and presenting performances on guest stages is ahead of us. I believe that the strength of our team will allow us to successfully go through this difficult period. I would like to thank all the employees who with understanding and great commitment joined in all the works related to the preparation for modernization. I hope that in two years’ time, we will be able to invite our audience to the new interiors of the Drama Theatre and enjoy the implementation of this extremely important investment together,” said Martyna Faustyna Zaniewska, PhD, Deputy Director of the Theatre.
Budimex SA offered PLN 31,777,284.93 for the construction works. The modernization is to be completed within eighteen months.
“Budimex has successfully completed many theatrical investments, including turnkey performance. At the moment, we are also expanding the Polish Theatre in Szczecin and modernising the Wybrzeże Theatre in Gdańsk. We are a contractor who always keeps our word and we try to complete our construction sites on time,” said Andrzej Sowa, Regional Director of Budimex SA. – The biggest challenge in this investment will be to strengthen the existing structure: foundations and ceiling above the stage in the historic part of the building, adapting it to take over the loads from the new stage technology and to renovate the historic structures of the facility – adds Andrzej Sowa.
Construction works will begin in July this year. The general contractor gives a 7-year warranty for the work performed.
The project of modernization of the Theatre was created by the “KOZIEŃ Architekci” studio from Krakow. As part of the investment, construction works will be carried out consisting in the reconstruction, extension, renovation and insulation of the historic building at ul. Elektryczna 12. It is also planned to replace internal installations: water, sewage and heating, electrical, telecommunications, mechanical ventilation, air conditioning, replacement of woodwork and joinery, and development of the area around the building. The modernization will also include the replacement of seats in the auditorium and the adaptation of the building to the needs of people with disabilities, as well as to fire safety requirements.
In the third quarter of this year. The Dramatic Theatre intends to announce tenders for the supply of stage technology. As part of the modernization, modern solutions in the field of stage technology, lighting and electroacoustics are planned. The total value of the investment was estimated at PLN 58,000,000 .
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The building of the Drama Theatre im. Aleksandra Węgierki in Białystok is located in the center of the city’s urban layout. The seat of the institution was built in 1938 as the Municipal Theatre. Marshal Józef Piłsudski. On December 27, 1938, its ceremonial opening took place. The Provincial Travelling Theatre performed on the new stage, and Eugeniusz Bodo, Mira Zimińska and Hanka Ordonówna also visited the theatre. In 1940, the Theatre was joined by an outstanding director and actor – Aleksander Węgierko, who created a collection of approx. 140 people team. In 1941, the outbreak of war between Germany and the USSR found the Theatre in Minsk. The band reached Brest, where it eventually disbanded, and Aleksander Węgierko himself died in unexplained circumstances. During the bombing of Białystok in 1941, all the decorations and costumes burned down.
In 1944, the Theatre resumed its activity, where it played on the stage of the pre-war “Świat” Cinema (now the “Ton” Cinema). It was then that an acting team was formed, consisting of outstanding artists from Warsaw and Krakow who stayed in Białystok, such as m.in. Jan Świderski, Czesław Wołejko, Halina Kossobudzka, Lidia Zamkowa, who were joined by Polish actors from Białystok. The first director of the Theatre was Marian Meller. The first premiere was staged on September 22, 1944. It was the play “My Quail Has Escaped” by Stefan Żeromski. In the same year, the retreating German troops carried out systematic arson and blowing up buildings. The Theatre building was also damaged during a fire and was unusable.
The first performance in the rebuilt headquarters at ul. Elektrica was staged on September 23, 1948. It was “Tartuffe” directed by Stanisław Daczyński, with stage design by Otto Axer. This event was extremely important in the history of the Theatre, because the new season began in the building where theatrical life continues uninterruptedly to this day.
