Kowboj

“KOWBOJ” (The Cowboy)  is a theatrical performance that creates a bridge between contemporary audiences and historical witnesses, recounting the life story of Zbigniew Matysiak, his nom de guerre Kowboj (Cowboy) and Dym (Smoke). A war veteran, motorbike rally racer, and trainer, Matysiak was a mentor to the youth of Lublin. They listened with great admiration to his stories, which spanned the turbulent history of Poland from the 1930s to the present day. 

Inspired by “Kowboy. Jak się nigdy nie poddać” (Cowboy: How to Never Give Up), a biographical book by Rafał Dobrowolski, “KOWBOJ” gives a voice to Zbigniew Matysiak by making him the narrator, spinning the tale of his love for Poland, family, and sport. His dramatic and vibrant life events are presented as a modern tapestry of dance, imagery, multimedia, music, and words. The audience, at times actively engaged in the plot, becomes a character alongside Zbigniew Matysiak’s family, friends, coworkers, and their filmed accounts and memories. 

The cast comprised: Michał Łysiak, Dagmara Winiarczyk, Paulina Prokopiuk, Dawid Marzec, Piotr Kęska, Przemysław Buksiński and Katarzyna Bujakiewicz, local actors and dancers. 

The show was directed by Marcin Wąsowki, the music was composed by Arkadiusz Borzęcki, and the choreography was directed by Renata E. Wawruch-Jakimiuk. 

“KOWBOJ” premiered on 1st March 2024 in the Antoni Patek Hall.  

The performance was held six times in March 2024, including three shows dedicated to high-school students, twice in April 2024 for the youth audiences and four times in October 2024, with two special shows for high-school students. 

“KOWBOJ” was created in partnership with the Self-Government of the Lubelskie Voivodeship under the “Dobrze być Polakiem” (It is worth being a Pole) project.