Forefathers’ Eve (Dziady) — Original Polish Theatre Poster (Roman Cieślewicz, 1967)

A Poster That Changed History

This is an authentic, original vintage theatre poster for the legendary production of Dziady (Forefathers’ Eve) staged at the Teatr Narodowy (National Theatre) in Warsaw, directed by Kazimierz Dejmek in 1967. The poster was designed by one of Poland’s most celebrated graphic artists, Roman Cieślewicz.

More than a collector’s item — this poster is a piece of living history. The censorship-enforced closure of this production directly sparked the March 1968 student protests, one of the most significant political events in post-war Polish history.

The Story Behind the Poster

On 30 January 1968, students gathered beneath the Adam Mickiewicz monument in Warsaw to protest the banning of Dejmek’s production by communist censors. The final performance — the eleventh since the premiere — was attended by an overflowing crowd, predominantly students, who interrupted the show with applause and chanted „Niepodległość bez cenzury” (“Independence without censorship”). After the performance, a group of 200–300 people marched to the Mickiewicz monument carrying banners reading „Żądamy dalszych przedstawień” (“We demand further performances”). The militia dispersed the crowd and arrested 35 demonstrators. Two University of Warsaw students — Adam Michnik and Henryk Szlajfer — were expelled for speaking to the French press. These events ignited the broader March 1968 protests across Poland.

Owning this poster means owning a tangible fragment of that defiant moment — a symbol of artistic freedom and civic courage.

Poster Details

• Production: Dziady (Forefathers’ Eve) by Adam Mickiewicz
• Director: Kazimierz Dejmek
• Theatre: Teatr Narodowy, Warsaw
• Designer: Roman Cieślewicz
• Year: 1967

Specifications

• Size: B1 — approx. 68 × 98 cm / 27 × 38 in (variations of 2–3 cm possible)
• Print technique: Offset printing
• Condition: Mint

A rare opportunity to acquire one of the most historically significant and visually powerful posters in the canon of Polish graphic design.