Happeningi Pomarańczowej Alternatywy, czyli współczesny karnawał na ulicach Wrocławia

Abstract

Orange Alternative happenings, or the carnival in Wrocław streets

Orange Alternative happenings, organized on the occasion of state holidays and official anniversaries, extending throughout Wrocław near Świdnicka street. The surrealistic events called ‘Dwarves in PRL’, ‘Eve of Revolution’ or ‘Saint Nicolas on Świdnicka’ even attracted 15,000 participants between 1987–1989, when public street gatherings were banned in Poland. Waldemar Fydrych, called ‘The Major’ was the director of this movement and the art students, history of art students, philology students and high school students were the actors. An important role was played by the militia, who consequently arrested the dwarves and other participants. The orange happenings were not ideological in character, but they ridiculed the socialist system and its absurdities, creating a great street carnival