Lucjan Rydel

Lucjan Rydel a.k.a. Lucjan Antoni Feliks Rydel (May 17, 1870, Kraków – April 8, 1918, Bronowice), was a Polish playwright and poet from the Young Poland movement.

Rydel was a son of Lucjan Rydel, optometrist, professor and Rector of Jagiellonian University in Kraków, and Helena Kremer.

In 1904 Lucjan Rydel wrote a nativity play called "Polish Bethlehem" ("Betlejem Polskie"), and staged its production in the two suburbs of Kraków, Tonie and Bronowice, with local villagers as actors. It was an expression of his profound respect for rural Poland as well as the result of his flair for theatrical experimentation. Rydel left the third and the final act of his play open. In the course of history new characters including contemporary Polish politicians and celebrities were being added to it by various producers in order to make the play appeal to new audience. [ [http://polartcenter.com/Szopki_Krakowskie_Cracovian_Christmas_Cribs_p/9700323.htm Polish Art Center - Szopki Krakowskie - Cracovian Christmas Cribs ] at polartcenter.com] " (pron. shopka, "The Nativity Scene" or "Christmas Crib") to which new characters are being added every year.

Rydel became the director of the renown Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Kraków for one season during 1915-1916.

The wedding of Lucjan Rydel with a peasant daughter from Bronowice took place at the Rydlówka Manor on Tetmajera Street. The event inspired Rydel's pen pal and friend Stanisław Wyspiański to write what became known as the defining Polish independence drama called "Wesele" "(The Wedding, or The Wedding Reception)".

Rydel's historical place of residence called the Rydlówka Manor houses the museum of the Young Poland period. It is located on the outskirts of Kraków. [http://www.slowtrav.com/eastern_europe/poland_krakow.htm]

Selected plays

*"Zaczarowane koło"
*"Betlejem polskie"
*"Zygmunt August - trylogia dramatyczna" (1913)
*"Ferenike i Peisidoros" (1913)

Notes

ee also

* Culture of Kraków

External links

* [http://www.slowtrav.com/eastern_europe/poland_krakow.htm About Lucjan Rydel at www.slowtrav.com]
* [http://www.what-where-when.pl/cracow/cracow_2989.htm Lucjan Rydel and the Old Kleparz market]
* [http://polartcenter.com/Szopki_Krakowskie_Cracovian_Christmas_Cribs_p/9700323.htm Rydel and the tradition of Kraków's Christmas Cribs]
* [http://www.culture.pl/en/culture/artykuly/in_te_slowackiego_krakow Lucjan Rydel mentioned] alongside Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Kraków