Tadeusz Kantor
Tadeusz Kantor, born on April 6, 1915, in Wielopole Skrzyńskie, Poland, was a visionary artist whose innovative approach to theater has left an indelible mark on the world stage. His profound exploration of memory, existence, and the human condition continues to resonate with audiences globally.
Cricot 2
In 1955, Kantor founded the experimental theatre company Cricot 2 in Kraków. Initially, the troupe focused on staging works by the avant-garde playwright Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz, known as Witkacy. However, as Kantor’s artistic vision evolved, Cricot 2 became a platform for his original creations, allowing him to delve deeper into his unique theatrical concepts. One of the most seminal productions from this period was “The Dead Class” (“Umarła klasa”) in 1975. This groundbreaking performance introduced Kantor’s “Theatre of Death,” a form that blurred the lines between life and art, past and present. In “The Dead Class,” actors portrayed elderly individuals returning to their old classroom, accompanied by mannequins representing their younger selves. This poignant juxtaposition served as a powerful commentary on the passage of time and the inescapable nature of memory. Kantor himself appeared on stage as a conductor of sorts, orchestrating the unfolding memories and ensuring the seamless interplay between actors and their mannequin counterparts.
Happenings
Kantor’s innovative approach extended beyond the confines of traditional theatre. He was a pioneer of happenings in Poland, orchestrating events that dissolved the boundaries between performers and spectators, art and everyday life. His 1965 happening, “Cricotage,” exemplified this philosophy, inviting audiences to engage directly with the artistic process and challenging conventional perceptions of art consumption.
The universal themes embedded in Kantor’s work, such as the exploration of personal and collective memory, the transient nature of existence, and the interplay between reality and illusion, have garnered international acclaim. Cricot 2’s productions toured extensively, captivating audiences across Europe, the United States, and Asia. The raw emotional intensity and innovative staging of performances like “The Dead Class” transcended cultural and linguistic barriers, offering a visceral experience that resonated deeply with diverse audiences.
Exhibition
For those eager to immerse themselves in Kantor’s artistic legacy, a visit to Cricoteka in Kraków is indispensable. Established by Kantor in 1980, Cricoteka serves as a living archive, museum, and exhibition space dedicated to preserving and promoting his work. Housed in a striking modern building along the Vistula River, Cricoteka offers visitors an intimate glimpse into Kantor’s creative universe. The museum features a permanent exhibition showcasing original props, costumes, photographs, and video recordings of his performances. Additionally, temporary exhibitions delve into various facets of his artistic endeavors and their contemporary interpretations. Engaging workshops, lectures, and meetings are regularly organised to provide deeper insights into Kantor’s methodologies and his enduring influence on modern art and theatre.
Visit Cricoteca with Krakow Urban Tours
Cricoteka is located at Nadwiślańska 2-4, 30-527 Kraków, Poland. Contact us at info@krakowurbantours.com before planning a visit, so we will check the opening hours and provide you with tickets and a good guide who tae you there. A journey to Cricoteka not only offers a profound understanding of Tadeusz Kantor’s revolutionary contributions but also serves as an invitation to explore the rich culture of Krakow.
Krakow Urban Tours – Pages from the CalendarLife is a series of stages. Each one is important. Each draws from the previous and enriches the next. With the arrival of 2025, nearly 20 years of my collaboration with Tomek will come to an end. These were wonderful years. We shared many experiences, met amazing people, learned a lot, achieved some successes, and made a few mistakes. Together, we built a stable, local, and mindful tourism brand. Now, our professional paths are diverging. Tomasz will take the helm and lead Krakow Urban Tours in the best possible direction, while I, supporting him wholeheartedly and wishing him favorable winds, will follow a calling that has been enticing me for a long time with promises of new adventures and challenges. Before that happens, I want to express my gratitude and share a few memories that make up the story of our company. It’s difficult to summarize so many years into a coherent tale, so let these be scattered pages from the calendar, fragments, and snapshots of shared moments.
Javier
In short, without Javier, our lives would have taken a different course. Back then, he was a crazy Spanish teacher, an advocate of the Argentinian lifestyle, and a frequent guest at Piękny Pies. Now, he is a respected anthropologist and a friend. Guided by intuition, he introduced us to each other, sensing that while we belonged to different circles, we answered the question, “What do you want to do in life?” in surprisingly similar ways. It was the summer of 2005. I don’t quite remember how our first meeting went, but I’d call it more of a disaster than a success. When I arrived late as usual, slightly tipsy, to Kolory, and saw Tomasz—a serious man sitting at the table—I thought Javier had made a terrible mistake. It would have been hard to find two more different people in Krakow at that time! And yet, over time, we found harmony. I matured a bit and stopped bringing a Mafalda tear-off calendar (a gift from Javier) to business meetings. Tomek loosened up a little. That’s how our first company, Polish Travel Adventure, was born.
The office on Miodowa Street
Our first office in Kazimierz was the most formal and “office-like” space we’ve had. It was there that the events we’re still associated with today took shape. Our flagship product, Food by Foot, originated from shared meals and coffee breaks. The restaurant U Doroty, which we still collaborate with, was just a stone’s throw from the office. We ate there almost daily, and knowing the quality of the food, we began sending our tourists there. The same happened with the now sadly defunct Satori. For years, our food tours ended there because better desserts than Olgierd’s tiramisu were hard to find in Krakow.
Urban Adventures
We weren’t promotion experts. Our first tourism trade fair in Berlin mainly left us discouraged. We wandered through dozens of corridors and pavilions, trying to convince busy people that we were reliable partners worth collaborating with. At the end of the first day, overwhelmed and tired, we stood in a long line for coffee. To pass the time, we struck up a conversation with a woman in front of us—Anda. She told us how exhausted she was trying to find reasonable business partners for her Australian company in Poland, specifically Krakow. That coffee led to a long-term partnership. Soon, we signed a complex contract with the Australian company Intrepid – Urban Adventures and rebranded as Krakow Urban Adventures. The die was cast…
Dream Team
We’ve been blessed with amazing people, and our luck hasn’t run out. Some of our current team members have been with us for years. The longest-serving are Paweł and Mateusz, whom we met 17 years ago during a course for Beskid mountain guides. Somehow, Paweł ended up running food tours and other events with us, while Mateusz supported our Kraków tours, training sessions, and various trips. He has also saved us from numerous situations that, without his dedication, could have ended badly. Often playing the role of a behind-the-scenes hero, he would cut his trips short to handle a group that unexpectedly showed up due to a system error (or my oversight), make pierogi in countless configurations, or run around the city ensuring that events, which seemed doomed to fail, turned out surprisingly well.
Marta, whom Tomek met during a course for Kraków guides and I met during WFTGA training, brought lots of energy and humor to the team, along with a Parisian-level sense of taste and composition. Thanks to her, you get to see great photos and reels on our social media and discover new gems on the city’s culinary map.
Alicja, whom we met at Kontakt and who joined us just a few years ago, has proven indispensable. No one manages emails and our company calendar quite like her! She not only took over my administrative duties but significantly improved communication and helped me realize that, as someone with a technological “anti-talent,” I’m better suited elsewhere.
Asia joined as a Tatra guide while we were planning a tour to showcase a more niche and nature-focused side of Zakopane. She supports us both in the mountains and during Kraków tours. Dominika, meanwhile, joined rather accidentally when we were looking for an artist to help design a shopping tour supporting local artisans. Though the tour only happened a few times due to low demand, Dominika started making pierogi with tourists and eventually became so immersed in guiding and tour leading that it’s hard to keep track of which continent she’s on. Not that she’s the only one!
Similarly, there’s Ula, who is more with us in spirit than in body, but when her body does show up, things get lively. Hanka is with us, and we hope she will be for the next 200 years because no one brings the realities of life in the PRL (Polish People’s Republic) closer to tourists like she does. She also brings a wonderful sense of cheer and perspective to the team, which we sometimes lack.
Magda, in a way, replaced Sabina, whose calm demeanor, common sense, and beautiful voice we dearly miss. Not only does she welcome guests to the same house for pierogi-making, but she also brings a theatrical spirit to the team and always plays a variety of roles with a smile and flair. Alicja brought Kasia onto the team when it became clear that more and more tourists were eager to make their own pierogi, and our houses weren’t getting any bigger. It started with cooking lessons, and now Kasia also runs culinary tours. As for the future, we’re just as curious as you are about what’s coming next…
Pierogi
Few remember, but our pierogi-making events started because…I was pregnant. Running tours was becoming difficult, so we decided to bring tourists to us. Initially, they’d meet me at a tram stop in Kozłówek, shop at the local market, and then come to our tiny apartment for a hands-on pierogi experience, complete with neighborly squabbles as background noise. Over time, demand outgrew our home setup, and we moved the activity to a more central location. Today, various team members host pierogi workshops, sharing slices of local life with visitors. Despite my daughter’s pierogi trauma (she’s never eaten one!), these workshops hold a special place in our hearts.
The Pandemic
Like everyone in tourism, the pandemic was a shock. Our traditional business ceased, and we shifted to virtual activities. Tomek’s enthusiasm convinced me that online cooking lessons could work, and soon we were hosting virtual pierogi-making sessions, wearing Krakow folk costumes and inviting people into our kitchens from around the globe. These events sustained us through the pandemic, helping us connect with families, friends, and teams stuck at home. The online pierogi frenzy eventually subsided as the world reopened, but it’s a chapter we’ll never forget.
Rick Steves Europe
Sometimes, one person’s satisfaction can open countless doors. Once, an American soldier stationed in Germany attended one of our food events. He enjoyed himself so much that over the years, many of his colleagues followed. A similar story unfolded on a larger scale with Cameron, a collaborator of Rick Steves. After a tour with Tomek, Cameron fell in love with Krakow, featured us in Rick Steves’ Poland guidebook, and established a lasting partnership. For several years now, we’ve been officially recommended by Rick Steves, with our pierogi lessons often being the highlight for his tour participants.
Cheers to Us! Let the wheel of fortune keep turning!
To Auschwitz – yes, but with respect and considerationAt Krakow Urban Tours, we believe that the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum is a place of profound historical significance and solemn remembrance. We do not offer daily tours to this site, as we do not view it as a conventional tourist attraction. We are particularly opposed to large coach groups visiting without adequate preparation, treating the site as just another stop on a day that might include visits to places like Energylandia.
Instead, we offer private, individual tours to Auschwitz-Birkenau, ensuring a respectful and meaningful experience. Our tours are thoughtfully designed to include:
– A guided exploration of Krakow’s Jewish Quarter: This provides essential historical context and a deeper understanding of the events leading up to the Holocaust.
– A comprehensive introduction to the history of Auschwitz-Birkenau: This prepares you for the visit, fostering a reflective mindset.
– A concluding reflection and discussion: This allows for processing the experience and sharing insights.
If you are interested in such a thoughtfully curated tour, please contact us at info@krakowurbantours.com. We will tailor a programme specifically for you, ensuring a respectful and educational visit to this significant historical site.
Children’s Day in PolandToday, June, 1st is a very special day in the Polish calendar – we celebrate Children’s Day.
So what to do?
If your children are school-age, do not worry. They will come up with something nice there. There will be a trip, something special to eat, play and fun. The only thing you should prepare is a nice gift for your child and something extra – like sweets outside regular hours, lack of shower in the evening (yes, I know, I should not have written such things, but…the Children’s Day is only once a year, so…forget for a while of being a perfect parent. It is boring)
Below you will find more suggestions of children-friendly activities possible to organize in Krakow. We can help you or you can make them on your own. Have fun!
- Take a city tour with us. We will take your children to places they do not know. We will explore new paths, stories, and games together. We can even do it wearing real folk costumes from Krakow. Write to us at info@krakowurbantours.com if you are interested in this form of sightseeing.
- What about a city game? Together, we will discover the mysteries of medieval Krakow and learn about the secret nooks and crannies of the Royal City. We will make a special program for you. Interested? Contact us at info@krakowurbantours.com
- We offer individual and group workshops: music, art, anti-discrimination. Write at: info@krakowurbantours.com if something interests you.
- Think about a picnic. Beautiful weather encourages a lot to go out. Just take a blanket, some food and go to the park or forest. I like the most Bednarski Park and Las Wolski (Wolski Forest), but there are plenty of green places to choose from in Krakow. Do not spend this day in front of the TV, be a hero once a year!
- Many of Krakow’s museums have interesting exhibitions for children. I especially recommend the Aviation Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, and the Underground Market Museum, but there are more. This weekend (June 5-6) in many brands of the History Museum there are attractions for children. Free or with a special ticket for just PLN 1 (check here https://muzeumkrakowa.pl/en).