Gustaw Holoubek is dead

Gustaw Holoubek, aged 85, died in Warsaw on March 6, 2008. He was  unquestioned professional and moral authority. Holoubek was an incredible figure, exceptional theatre, film actor  and stage director.

Gustaw Holoubek was born on April 21, 1923, in Cracow.  In 1939 he  took part in September Campaign in Department of Military Training. During the German occupation of Poland he belonged to underground theatre. He had been working in many Warsaw theatres such as Polish Theater, Dramatic Theater, National Theater. He has played in over fifty  Polish films -

 “Pętla” (1957), “Pożegnania” (1958), “Wspólny pokój” (1959), “Rozstanie” (1960), “Rękopis znaleziony w Saragossie” (1964).  His acting art was very  characteristic as well as his recognizable voice and intonation.   Holoubek is specially remembered by the polish audience from leading role Konrad – Gustaw,  in the Polish national drama ”The Forefathers” by Adam Mickiewicz. The play was   directed by distinguished Polish director Kazimierz Dejmek and  presented in 1968. It became the reason for a political scandal and for the so-called March events.

For many years he was director of the Dramatic Theatre in Warsaw and  president of the Association of Polish Actors. Furthermore, he was elected to the Senate.

Gustaw Holoubek wrote in one of his book: ”The benefit of the acting art, the measure of its fulfillment with dignity, will only be what we pass on to others. That is why, while one is on the stage, pulling down the curtain before the performance is over is not permitted. One shouldn’t forget the presence of those who came here of their own free will, with the hope of being moved and of gaining knowledge about themselves.”