The Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Krakow was forced to remove the Ukrainian flag from the building's facade and move it inside due to an increase in threats. Krzysztof Głuchowski, the theatre's director, wrote about this on Facebook, UNN reports.
Details
According to him, the decision was made due to intensified attacks on the theatre, including threats that jeopardized the safety of employees, their health, lives, and the integrity of property.
The flag of Ukraine had been hanging on the theatre building since February 2022, from the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. It became a symbol of solidarity of the Polish people with Ukrainians, who "are shedding blood and lives for freedom and independence – also for Poland and all of free Europe."
We are only a theatre, we cannot defend ourselves against brutal force alone. Therefore, we must submit to it, despite living in a free country that also calls itself an ally of Ukraine
Krzysztof Głuchowski emphasized that the theatre will not stop supporting Ukraine, despite the change in the flag's location.
He also called the demands to remove the flag an attack on the theatre, on freedom, on solidarity, and on the values that should unite Polish society.
I feel pain, sadness, and shame that I am forced to move this flag. To move, not to remove. It will continue to hang inside the building, and our theatre will never cease to be a place of solidarity, freedom, openness, and sensitivity to the weaker and needy
Reminder
In May, in Poland, during a rally by far-right Member of the European Parliament and presidential candidate Grzegorz Braun, the Ukrainian flag was torn down – it had been hanging on the city hall building in one of the cities.