Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

FRANCISZEK – MY FRIEND

ACTING IS LIKE THE PLAGUE – YOU ARE CONSTANTLY IN A STATE OF SIEGE

VOICES ABOUT FRANCISZEK PIECZKA

FROM GODÓW TO OLD TOWN

CONVERSATION WITH FRANCISZEK PIECZKA

AFTERWORD

A FEW MORE REFLECTIONS

PRYSYPKIN WAS TO BE PLAYED BY FRANCISZEK PIECZKA

LAUDATION ON THE OCCASION OF RECEIVING THE P. GINTROWSKI AWARD, POLISH THEATER 2018

QUESTIONS ABOUT FRANCISZEK PIECZKA

CHRONOLOGY OF FRANCISZEK PIECZKA AND DARIUSZ DOMAŃSKI

PHOTO CHRONICLE

ANSWERS TO "QUESTIONS ABOUT FRANCISZEK PIECZKA"

Franciszek Pieczka

© Dariusz Domański

© Wydawnictwo Studio ACORD® Bogdan Sylwestrowicz Kraków 2024

STUDIO ACORD®, ul. Korabnicka 34/L7, 32-050 Skawina

Project Coordinator: Arkadiusz Pietrukowicz

Graphic Design and Layout: Jacek Orzechowski

Cover Design: Jacek Orzechowski

Illustrations: Archive of Franciszek Pieczka

Dariusz Domański, Roman Anusiewicz, Wojciech Plewiński

Archive of the Godów Commune, Hotel Galaxy, National Digital Archive

Stare Miasto Library

Cover Photo: Kazimierz Komorowski

© All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution of the entire or any part of this publication in any form without the author's consent is prohibited. Copying the book by photocopying, photography, or any other method, as well as copying it onto film, magnetic, or other media, constitutes a violation of the copyright of our publication. All trademarks appearing in the text are the registered trademarks or trade names of their respective owners.

Book from the series „Portraits of Friends” by Dariusz Domański

Available for sale: Piotr Fronczewski, Maria Malicka, Jan Nowicki, Krzysztof Zanussi

In preparation: Małgorzata Kożuchowska, Adam Woronowicz,

Anna Seniuk, Barbara Krafftówna...

First Edition

ISBN 978-83-68489-00-2

Dariusz Domański

Franciszek Pieczka

Portrait of a Friend

"...to read the good..."

In Memory of Łucjan Wnuk

At the Powszechny Theatre in Warsaw, 1996.

INTRODUCTION

Who doesn’t remember the words of the song “Ballad of the Tank Crew” by Agnieszka Osiecka – Restless Rains. And the extraordinary crew of the Rudy 102. As a boy, I was a fan of this series. From the crew, Gustlik Jeleń intrigued me the most. That’s exactly how I remembered him from Kazimierz Komorowski’s photo – strong, young, joyful Franciszek Pieczka, whose character evoked admiration and brought genuine humor to the film. Although the series was about war, Gustlik’s role often caused bursts of laughter. Whether it was at the cemetery when he emerged from behind the coffin, or when he cut an egg on a plate, or threw a potato. It was a role that showcased the artistry of comedic acting. Franciszek, known as an excellent character actor, gave his characters not only traits reminiscent of Greek theater. He was as much a great tragedian as he was a great comedian.

That’s why, when we played with friends in the backyard and reenacted the roles of the tank crew, I was Gustlik. Back then, I didn’t realize that one day I would meet Gustlik – Franek Pieczka – and accompany him in the last decade of his life, not only as an admirer of his beautiful achievements in acting but above all as his friend.

In this miniature, I want to freeze time for a decade that was important to me, during which Franciszek played one, and perhaps the most important role, teaching me the values he himself carried, as he always emphasized, from his family home in Godów.

Franciszek in 1953

P.S. I received this cover photo from Franciszek Pieczka on November 18, 2012. He wrote the date along with a dedication to my daughter Aneta. I remember how he looked at the photo, smiled, and said, “A person changes a bit, or maybe this would be a good cover photo…” At that time, Franciszek and I were working on our book. So now this portrait of Franciszek is on the cover.

With Franciszek at home in Falenica, 2017

Franciszek - My Friend

Motto

“What you, Darku, have done for the theater, actors, and directors is priceless. This is my objective statement, and I thank fate for bringing me together with you…”

“And I thank you, Franek, for all the meetings and advice on how to live to deserve the title of a decent person. That’s what you taught me…”

We were returning with Franek Pieczka and Basia Krafftówna from the “Two Theaters” Festival in Sopot. As part of the purchased train ticket, a treat was prepared, and after consuming it, Franek said, “Darku, I feel like a dog that ate a fly.” Did Franek Pieczka like to tell anecdotes? Or was he rather a serious actor? No, he had a great sense of humor. During this exceptional festival, which gathered many outstanding personalities from the world of theater and radio, I sat next to Franciszek at the awards gala. I will never forget how gracefully and cultured Małgosia Kożuchowska, the host of the ceremony, introduced Franek on stage.

Some time has passed since Franciszek Pieczka’s passing, but Franek still returns in his wisdom, honesty, and joy to the world, to us, the living.

Franciszek, Basia Krafftówna, Warsaw, 2016

Someone might say, and Franek himself thought so, that every person leaves some trace behind. They give testimony of their attachment to tradition, to the places they come from, to work. Precisely to work, which he always performed conscientiously, with full dedication and great talent.

Much has already been written aboutFranciszek, and surely more will be written, because such people need to be written about, set as examples of kindness, nobility, humility, and diligence for future generations. I observed all these traits of his during my nearly 10-year friendship with Franciszek, which began in 2012.

It happened in Godów, in his native Silesian village, where Franciszek was born on January 18, 1928. This date will mark meetings in the chronicles of Godów of a man for whom this place will always be sacred. When I was driving to Godów, I wondered what Gustlik looked like. I saw a tall man with a smile and the dignity befitting an elderly person.

Harvest Festival in Godów Commune – Hotel Dacol, Petrovice, 2012

I was nervous before the meeting. I don’t remember our first conversation well, but I know that I brought up Kraków, which at that time still sparked great interest in Mr. Franciszek. In his memory, Nowa Huta, the Ludowy Theater, and the Stary Theater appeared. In fact, two theaters where he created his greatest acting roles (Lennie in “Of Mice and Men” by J. Steinbeck, “Woyzeck” by G. Büchner).

Franciszek’s dedication

Franciszek writing dedications in the book – Hotel Boss, Warsaw, 2013

There was no time for a longer conversation then, but from that meeting, everything began. A lasting and developing acquaintance, I can say, and then a friendship. And Franciszek, despite his humility and beautiful approach not only to his fans, as he did not befriend or trust everyone, was an Ab imo pectore man, smiling at life, and at the same time, an Arbiter elegantiarum – this nickname of Petronius defines Franciszek. And friendship meant a lot to him. It was like a commitment; not many people were in his circle of friends. I was fortunate to become one of his closest people, and I wonder what Franciszek saw in me that I so quickly became his friend, confidant, with whom he consulted many matters, not only professional ones. I heard many compliments from his lips, which I won’t all repeat here, as they are available online. When I revisit them, I feel as if I became an essential part of Franciszek’s family, along with my wife Jola.

It was November of the same year, 2012, gray autumn days, when I went to Falenica, another place that was Franciszek’s second home. The work on our book went so harmoniously that it was hard for me to believe that he would accept my suggestions with such great humility. I admit, I had never had a protagonist before who would rely so much on all my concepts, answering questions and not questioning anything I came up with. I felt that we had a good understanding and that a line was forming between us, connecting Godów with Falenica and Kraków.

It wasn’t really a traditional interview, but rather Franciszek’s story about his family and artistic life. He was rather sparing with words, not ambitious to analyze his path in detail; this laconicism was his trademark. He believed that an actor speaks through his roles, achievements, and not through his own stories. That’s what critics and theater scholars are for. And whether actors really have much to say, he thought in his modesty, and he was largely right.

However, the world demands that beloved, respected actors engage in discourse not only with the audience but also with the reader. There is a compelling desire to write portraits of actors, if the protagonist can share experiences that teach us something, then there is a point to such work, but not everyone has that something in them, something worth passing on and preserving in the frame of memory. Franciszek belongs to that rare group of people and artists who always have much to offer. One could learn beautiful traits from him. I wondered for a long time what Franciszek would add to my conversation. It turned out that nothing; he didn’t want any authorization, which is the standard, he didn’t want any consultation, and that was a sign to me that our friendship was deepening, and trust was growing.

Basia and Franek – Hotel Boss, 2013, Franciszek’s 85th birthday

In the following year, in April, the promotion of our book took place along with the actor’s 85th birthday. I prepared a benefit for Franciszek at the Hotel Boss in Falenica with the participation of his artist friends, the Godów commune, and his family. It was another challenge. How would my protagonist receive it? What would be the reaction to the book? Would the program I came up with be well received by Franciszek? There were no critical remarks; he accepted everything, expressing his gratitude, and the admiration was full, both for the program and the book. From that moment, I felt an even stronger bond with Franciszek, and he felt the same with me. I saw his emotion during the performance of the “Śląsk” ensemble (he was similarly moved when we were later together at the “Śląsk” ensemble’s headquarters in Koszęcin, absorbing the unique atmosphere of the songs) or when his fellow countryman, like him an honorary citizen of Godów – Zbyszek Wodecki, sang at the beginning of the benefit. Many people graced this ceremony, including Basia Krafftówna, Wiesław Gołas, Witold Pyrkosz, Włodek Press, Marta Lipińska, Maciej Englert, Olo Łukaszewicz, Maniuś Dziędziel, Maciek Wojtyszko, as well as actors from the series “Ranczo” – Czarek Żak, Bogdan Kalus, Sylwester Maciejewski, Piotr Pręgowski with director Wojciech Adamczyk at the helm.

Franciszek with Wiesław Gołas – Hotel Boss, 2013

Franciszek suggested to me, thanking me for the evening, that I become not exactly his manager, but the person handling his meetings, trips, and artistic matters. I must say, I was proud of this proposal and didn’t expect that from that moment on, I would accompany Franciszek to practically all his events – galas, festivals, benefits, and vacations. Because together with Franek and his family, we spent a lot of time in various corners of Poland, not only in Godów but also in the mountains and by the sea. One of our most beautiful trips was to Złoty Potok in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland, where we were hosted by my friends, the owners of the extraordinary Hotel Kmicic.

Franciszek with Zbyszek Wodecki – Hotel Boss, 2013

We also traveled together to Białka Tatrzańska, to the Czernik family, during the winter holidays, where Franek and I would take walks, and his grandchildren would enjoy the white madness – skiing. These shared vacations brought us closest. I must admit, I never had such a devoted friend in my nearly 30 years of working for the theater. (Maria Malicka was such a friend in the years 1981-1992, and later, the great Basia Krafftówna). When I was returning to Kraków the day after the benefit in Warsaw, Franciszek called. I could sense his emotion in his voice as he spoke about the book with full appreciation.

From that moment, we often talked on the phone, at least once or twice a week, and it was a pleasure to hear his voice on the other end. He always called back.