Polska : Česko | Sound Match

Borderland: Czechia-Poland

CZK Team: Kateřina Rézi Szopová, Zuzana Sekerová, Joa Ferfecki, Pepe Valíků
lead by Martin Dytko

PL Team: Weronika Masarska, Paulina Łyczek, Dawid Bury, Anita Kramarczyk & Fiona Swoboda
lead by Zorka Wollny

How does a border resonate? Zorka Wollny invites Chech composer and musician Martin Dytko to a sound match exploring borderscapes in Czechia-Poland. In a co-creative process with residents from Český Těšín/Cieszyn and Ostrava, they delve into narratives surrounding the meanings and materializations of bordering practices, as part of everyday life. The voice and sound-based research conceives the borderland as a place of encounter, interaction, and clash. Therefore, the border is seen not just as a point where various histories converge, but also as a space that shapes both individual and collective processes of identity formation and belonging, continuously transforming, contesting, and subverting the socio-political order. As the idea of Europe and the European Project undergo transformation, it becomes vital that diverse voices shape their emerging meaning. What futures can be imagined from here?

The performative concerts took place on October 2–3, 2024, at the former synagogue in Český Těšín as part of the city’s 33rd International Theatre Festival Without Borders, and at the Krytyka Polityczna Center in Cieszyn. These performances are featured in a video work by the artist that introduces the participants, provides insights into the production process, and further elaborates on questions surrounding bordering practices between Czechia and Poland.

With the support of Natalia Kałuża, Anna Pluta and Joanna Wowrzeczka
of Krytyka Polityczna Center in Cieszyn, as well as Petra Slováček Rypienová and Stefan Mańka, directors of the 33. International Theatre Festival Without Borders.

Comissioned by Lungomare as part of the B-Shapes project.

The project was later taken further by Zorka who created 40 channel sound installation presenting the sound map of the border region.