Silesian Theatre of Doll and Actor Ateneum, Katowice

Silesian Puppet and Actor Theatre "Ateneum" in Katowice - one of the oldest puppet companies in Poland. It exists since 1945.

Initially, it was dominated by the artistic directors Juliusz Glatty, Jerzy Zitzman and Zygmunt Smandzik, who for many years decided on the artistic shape of the stage. Later concepts changed with each successive director. However, there was always a clear connection to the local creative environment. Here it is worth noting the dramaturgy of Edmund Wojnarowski, most of whose plays premiered at the "Ateneum", or the compositions of Bogumil Pasternak, for many years musical director and later artistic director of the theater. It is also hard not to mention the stage designs by Alicja Kuryło.

Gustaw Morcinek was one of the literary managers, and such great names as Katarzyna Gärtner, Danuta Michałowska, Michał Banasik, Jan Dorman, Roman Kalarus, Janusz Kapusta, Adam Kilian, Michał Lorenc, Teofil Ociepka, Krzysztof Penderecki, Józef Skrzek, Witold Szalonek or Jan Brzechwa appeared on the stage.

Today's repertoire, addressed mainly to children's audiences, includes both fairy tale classics and contemporary works. It is realized in various conventions and techniques, using the means of puppet theater, but also links with the live stage. Among the currently staged productions, those which deviate from staging patterns are of particular interest: Among the currently staged productions, the following are particularly interesting: Pinocchio by Carl Collodi, Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift, Puss in Boots - a musical fairy tale by Bogumił Pasternak based on a text by Jan Brzechwa, The Nightingale by František Pavliček, The Magnificent Ferdinand by Ludwik Jerzy Kern, and A Parable of Happiness by Krystyna Jakóbczyk.

The ensemble has performed many times abroad, e.g. in Austria, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia, the USA and the United Kingdom. It has also participated in many national and international festivals, often winning awards for its presentations. For several years he has been cooperating with Czech and Slovak artists: Eva Farkašová, Karl Brožek, Petr Nosálek, Pavel Hubička, Tomáš Volkmer.

Since 2002 the "Ateneum" has been the organizer of the International Festival of Puppet Theatres "Katowice for Children". The "Ateneum" Gallery operates in the premises at 25, 3 Maja Street.