LEZBIANKE

More than just a concert

What is it about?

“Lezbianke” is Patrycja Kowańska’s premiere performance-concert, the result of an artistic residency as part of the Łódź of Many Cultures Festival 2025. Based on herstory research and archival materials about female artists from the avant-garde Łódź group Jung Jidysz, Kowańska creates a performance that restores the memory of female creators, their queer relationships, and forgotten voices. At the same time, she places the narrative of the concert in the present day, confronting a landscape in which queer existences are systematically overlooked and intimate relationships are invisible or invalidated.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

For a long time, there was no word in Yiddish to describe a lesbian. The word lezbianke was first introduced in 1984 by Irena Klepfisz, an American poet and translator. In her poem “Etleche werter ojf mame loszn” (“A Few Words in My Mother’s Language”), the term “di lezbianke” is defined as “one who has a roommate.” Among other things, the concept of a “roommate” as a cover for a lesbian relationship is the impetus for this event to reveal a perspective that many people do not see or do not want to see.

The performance combines spoken poetry, electronic music, and visual materials inspired by the work of Dina Matus, Ida Brauner, and Rahel Lipstein. The artist reveals the experience of exclusion, confronting it with the power of memory and artistic expression. It is a performance-gesture: of regaining identity, pride, and visibility.

By whom?

Patrycja Kowańska (a.k.a. Marianna Furor) – playwright, performer and theater director, co-creator of, among others, the “Very” trilogy, nominated for the “Polityka” Passport (2024). Author of the performance “Furor.” Creates performances in repertory and independent theaters.

Szymon Lechowicz – composer and music producer, member of the band Róża, winner of the Robert Brylewski Songwriter Competition, performed at OFF Festival and Jarocin.

Expert consultation: Joanna Podolska (University of Łódź) and Irmina Gadowska (University of Łódź)

Who is it for?

• for everyone, with a special focus on adults and young people
• for people in the LGBTQIA+ community
• for those involved in art, history and queer topics
• for anyone interested in the untold stories of women in art

There are no formal age restrictions, but due to the subject matter and possible isolated vulgarities, it is recommended for those over 16.

Why is it worth it?

“Lezbianke” is the first narrative about Jung Yiddish viewed and told through a queer, contemporary lens. Because art history is too often written from a male perspective, here we give voice to women and the relationships between them. Because the event touches on important topics such as identity, exclusion, untold stories, and queer heritage. Because it is an aesthetically original combination of herstory, performance, and concert.

RECOMMENDED EVENTS:

A walk along the paths of Jung Yiddish in Łódź with Joanna Podolska

Photos

Patrycja Kowańska, fot. Magdalena Kasjaniuk
graphic using an engraving by Dina Matus

#JungYiddish #QueerHistory #Herstory #LodzBiographies