June 16, 2026, 6:00 PM
Galeria Miejska Arsenał, 6 Stary Rynek
free admission
A vivid narrative intertwines the lives of a group of men born at the end of the nineteenth century, showing what the lives of homosexual actors looked like in the Second Polish Republic and during the war. The book reveals the backstage of theatre, cinema and cabaret, where themes of non-normative sexuality were subtly smuggled in.
Among the fascinating protagonists we will find, among others, Pola Negri’s secretary, the son of a wealthy Warsaw architect, Eugeniusz Bodo’s lover, and the first actor who appeared naked on stage in Polish theatre. Their biographies are full of great romances, attempts to conquer the capital, trips to Paris and Hollywood, but also dramatic events – from suicide because of unhappy love to a fatal heart attack during a performance.
Did a “homolobby” exist in Polish history – an influential network of homosexual actors supporting one another? You will find the answer in this book.