‘Symphony of the Ursus Factory’ (Poland) – Film screening and workshop
The Ursus factory in Poland once covered 170 hectares and employed 20,000 workers, producing 100 tractors a day. The Ursus tractor was well-known, not only in Poland but throughout the world. Now, its buildings stand derelict and empty; half have already been demolished by investors with new plans. Community artists, activist and film director Jaśmina Wójcik worked for more than 8 years within this community creating several projects within and about the Ursus factory. The symphony of mechanical sounds and gestures that is gradually built up throughout the film is produced by former factory employees. This is the story of bygone forms of labour.
Workshop by Jaśmina and Igor
At ICAF 2020, Jaśmina and her working companion and writer Igor Stokfiszewski, will facilitate an interactive workshop, deconstructing their 8-year-long journey with the community of former workers of the Ursus Factory. Together with ICAF participants they will create a complete new Symphony of Remembrance, Symphony of Empathy, Symphony of Generations, and Symphony of Thanksgiving. These new Symphonies will be documented and filmed by Jakub Wróblewski (who also worked on the film) and shared with the Ursus community back in Poland.