Risky Hitchhiking, and Other Stories about the Theatre of the Eighth Day

Teatr Osmego Dnia (the Theatre of the Eighth Day), established in Poznan ' in 1964, was a part of Polish student theatre. Between 1976 and 1981, it became one of the most important companies in the history of the Polish theatre, producing several masterpieces. It also became a legendary grouping of democratic, anti-communist opposition. The persecution it was subjected to was caused by censorship, the secret police, and the administration at all levels. However, the members of the group managed to overcome everyday fear, face the totalitarian authorities openly, and create unforgettable artistic works. Four of them, who belonged to the group from the early 1970s, still maintain the ethical principles and artistic strategies adopted at that time, and thus now clash with the ideology of the current ruling administration, which is the right-wing Law and Justice Party. Juliusz Tyszka, Professor at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan ', is the author of eight books, editor of many others, and has published over five hundred articles, essays, sketches, reports, and reviews. He was an advisory editor of New Theatre Quarterly from 1999 to 2019, and, since 2006, has lectured at the Europaische Universitat Viadrina in Frankfurt/Oder.