Magdalena Abakanowicz and “Abakamania” – cinema, art, and history at Luxembourg festival

On 15 October 2025 at 6:30 pm, the prestigious auditorium of MUDAM – Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean in Luxembourg will host a screening of the documentary film “Abakamania”, dedicated to Magdalena Abakanowicz – one of the most influential figures in contemporary art worldwide. The screening is organised as part of the 18th edition of CinEast – Central and Eastern European Film Festival and will be a unique opportunity to present Magdalena Abakanowicz’s work to an international audience.

“Abakamania”: a unique biographical documentary about Magdalena Abakanowicz

“Abakamania” is a biographical documentary about Magdalena Abakanowicz, or Marta Magdalena Abakanowicz-Kosmowska – one of the most outstanding Polish artists of the second half of the 20th century. It portrays an artist whose works broke through to the art world from behind the Iron Curtain. The film’s title, Abakamania, is a neologism combining Abakanowicz’s name with the suffix “-mania,” characteristic of phenomena of mass fascination. It highlights the artist’s global reach, her uniqueness, and the phenomenon of her presence in the world art circuit.

Magdalena Abakanowicz revolutionised textile art worldwide. Named after her, Abakany are innovative forms made from artistic fabrics that elevated this material—previously mainly associated with applied and decorative art—to the level of high art. The artist also created poignant sculptural installations in public spaces across many cities on almost every continent. Nature served as the main inspiration in her artistic imagination.

International premiere of the film “Abakamania”, visit to the installation “Wise Men”, and discussion with the directors

In the documentary, the directing duo Róża Fabjanowska and Sławek Malcharek present an artist who, with determination and courage, crossed all boundaries in art, using a variety of expressive means and original creative techniques. The filmmakers followed in Abakanowicz’s footsteps, listening to the stories of those connected to her world—they undertook both symbolic and literal journeys, mapping her routes and installations to uncover new meanings in her work.

The international premiere of “Abakamania”, with the participation of the directors, will take place on 15 October at 6:30 pm in the auditorium of MUDAM – Grand Duc Jean Museum of Modern Art, as part of the long-standing collaboration between the CinEast festival and the museum. On this occasion, guests will have a unique opportunity to experience Abakanowicz’s work directly at the Court of Justice of the European Union. Two special guided visits (in Polish and English) to the “Wise Men” installation, located on the CJEU premises, will be offered. Following the screening, a conversation with the directors, Róża Fabjanowska and Sławek Malcharek, is scheduled, moderated by Iwona Bigos, director of the Four Domes Pavilion – Museum of Contemporary Art.

Polish documentary film in the Focus on Poland programme at CinEast 2025 in Luxembourg

CinEast is one of the most important film events in the region, attracting thousands of film lovers every year since 2008. The festival presents a rich programme, including more than 120 screenings of feature films, documentaries, and animated films from 21 Central and Eastern European countries. In addition to the official competition programme, participants can look forward to meetings with artists, workshops, concerts, and a variety of cultural events taking place in cinemas and art spaces in Luxembourg and other cities.

As part of the 18th edition of CinEast (10–26 October 2025), Poland occupies a special place thanks to the Focus on Poland section. The programme offers a journey through nearly 30 Polish productions – from premieres and award-winning documentaries to cinema classics – highlighting the significance and influence of Polish cinematography on the international scene. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Wojciech Jerzy Has, the festival will conclude with a screening of his 1974 film “The Hourglass Sanatorium”. The film “Abakamania” will represent established Polish documentary cinema.

International premiere of the film “Abakamania” in Luxembourg

• Screening as part of the 18th edition of CinEast – Central and Eastern European Film Festival

• Date: 15 October 2025

• Programme:

  • 5:00 pm – special visit to Magdalena Abakanowicz’s sculpture “Wise Men” at the CJEU

  • 6:30 pm – screening of the film “Abakamania” in Polish with English subtitles

  • 8:00 pm - discussion with the filmmakers

• Location: Auditorium MUDAM - Musée d'art moderne Grand-Duc Jean (Address: Grand-Duc Jean, 3, Park Dräi Eechelen, L-1499 Luxembourg-Kirchberg)

• Tickets: free movie tickets can be reserved at www.cineast.lu, and tickets for accompanying programme events at www.mudam.com

• Event partners: MUDAM – Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean, CinEast – Central and Eastern European Film Festival, Court of Justice of the European Union, National Museum in Wrocław, Adam Mickiewicz Institute.

• Co-financed from the funds of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage

• The film was produced by a team of filmmakers consisting of: Róża Fabjanowska (director, editor), Sławek Malcharek (cinematographer, co-director), Zofia Micyk (script), Mateusz Malcharek (original music), Robert Mańkowski PSM (editing), Michał Jachuła (content consultant), Leszek Stafiej (co-producer), and Michał Grześ (social media).

• The Adam Mickiewicz Institute is one of the co-producers of “Abakamania”.