Every Minute Motherland – a dance performance by Maciej Kuźmiński at The Place, London

On 1 October 2025, the audience will have the opportunity to see “Every Minute Motherland” – a dance performance created by Maciej Kuźmiński, inspired by the refugee crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The event is part of the UK/Poland Season 2025 programme. 

Every Minute Motherland: dance and documentary in response to the invasion of Ukraine 

The Place is a vibrant centre for innovation and creativity in dance and the performing arts. October 2025 will open with Every Minute Motherland, choreographed by Maciej Kuźmiński, which was created using documentary methods as an artistic response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resulting refugee crisis. From Mariupol to Kharkiv and other areas affected by the war, culture and artists have been targeted in attacks aimed at undermining the Ukrainian nation. This project is an act of resistance against these crimes and an expression of solidarity with Ukraine. 

The performance is inspired by the personal stories of the dancers. It explores themes of trauma, exile, and alienation, situating them within the broader context of war, identity, and the inexorable forces of history and geopolitics. In the face of the daily media noise – television and social media, where war is replayed in a relentless, impersonal cycle – the performance shifts the audience’s attention to the bodies of witnesses who have experienced it firsthand. Their experiences are conveyed on stage – translated into movement and time – drawing on the spirituality of ritual and myth. The work was created in collaboration with a Polish-Ukrainian team, including refugees and playwright Paul Bargetto. A Q&A session will follow the performance. 

UK/Poland Season 2025: an exceptional cultural programme of Poland and the United Kingdom 

The presentation of Every Minute Motherland at The Place in London is part of the UK/Poland Season 2025 – a cultural programme of unprecedented scale, featuring dozens of events across multiple cities in Poland and the United Kingdom. Running until November 2025, the season marks a new chapter in bilateral cooperation, revitalising cultural dialogue and strengthening existing ties between the two countries. For residents of both countries, it offers a unique opportunity to explore the most exciting artistic phenomena from both sides – encompassing film, theatre, visual arts, design, and music. In Poland, the events are organised by the British Council, while in the UK – by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, the Polish Cultural Institute, and the British Council. The organisation of the Season in the UK and Northern Ireland is supported by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Poland. 

In autumn, as part of UK/Poland Season 2025, British audiences enjoy a rich programme of performing arts and theatre events that emphasise socio-political engagement and experimental forms. In September, during the Theatre is Freedom festival, six Polish companies presented unique performances. In October, audiences will have the opportunity to see Łukasz Twarkowski’s Rohtko, a performance that combines theatre with visual arts and film, exploring the boundaries between original and copy, reality and virtuality. Joint theatre and performance projects create space for dialogue across artistic, cultural, and linguistic boundaries between Poland and the United Kingdom. 

Dance Performance by Maciej Kuźmiński Company: “Every Minute Motherland”