“In Translation”. A monodrama performed in sign language

In Translation is a performative monodrama staged by deaf poet and actor Adam Stoyanov. Authors of the production, Wojtek Ziemilski and Wojtek Pustoła, gave him a seemingly impossible task: together with translator Katarzyna Głozak, Stoyanov translates Tadeusz Różewicz’s poetry into the Polish Sign Language. A different language requires a different way of structuring meaning, revealing hidden interpretations of poems and surprising word senses.

At the same time, the performance turns into a story about sign language itself, which – through gestures and facial expressions – creates poetic space. As we observe the deaf actor, we begin to better understand the essence of how deaf people communicate – and start to analyse our own communication methods.

The monodrama will be staged on 22 April (Saturday) at 3 p.m. at the seat of the Gdańsk City of Literature project. After the performance (4 p.m.), there will be a meeting with the authors.

Partners of the event: Gdańsk City of Literature,  the European Commission Representation in Poland