Mieczysław Święcicki Square
Kraków Artists: Theatre, Cabaret and Film
A square in the Planty, between św. Anny Street and Szewska Street, named after Mieczysław Święcicki (1936-2018), singer, actor and director, co-founder of the Piwnica pod Baranami cabaret, nicknamed the "Prince of Mood". He made his debut at Piwnica in 1956 in the programme "Lake of the Three Bards", and also acted in the Stary Theatre, the Rhapsodic Theatre and Theatre 38. In 1963 at the Polish Song Festival in Opole he received an award for the song "Don't Call Me". He was a well-known performer of old Gypsy and Russian romances.
History
The square in Planty Park between św. Anny Street and Szewska Street is named after Mieczysław Święcicki (1936-2018), a singer, actor and director known as the "Prince of Mood". He was a co-founder of the Piwnica pod Baranami cabaret, which was set up in 1956 in the cellars of the Pod Baranami Palace.
Święcicki graduated from the vocal department of the State Higher School of Music in Kraków. He made his debut at the Piwnica as early as 1956, in the show "The Lake of Three Fairies". He appeared on stage at Teatr 38, the Rhapsodic Theatre and the Stary Theatre, as well as at the Silesian Theatre in Katowice. In 1963 he received a distinction for the song "Nie wołaj mnie" ("Don't Call Me"), with lyrics by Antoni Słonimski, which he sang at the National Festival of Polish Song in Opole. Most often he sang the repertoire of Aleksandr Vertinsky: old Gypsy and Russian romances.
After 1976 he left the Piwnica, but returned after the cabaret's 45th anniversary and stayed with it until his death. In 2011 he received the title of Knight of the Wawel Bronze Bell. He died in Kraków in 2018 and, after a Mass in St Mary's Basilica, was buried in the avenue of distinguished citizens in Rakowicki Cemetery.
Did you know?
Święcicki last appeared on stage the day before he died, at a gala dinner commemorating Robert Burns.