1987 rok
Wrocław Street Carnival Period
Breakthrough of Fear
Happening as a Form of Political Resistance

On April 1st, Major Waldemar Fydrych organized a „one hundred leg millipede” march which was terminated by the authorities.  The theme of the Socialist Surrealist Manifesto, „...the whole world is art” was fully realized on that day.

In June many happenings took place on the street with participants wearing elf hats and shoes. The authorities arrested many of the elves.   

In July came the next happening which challenged the ban on anti-regime slogans: every participant  was dressed in a shirt adorned with a letter. When  the group stood in line, the letters formed a slogan „Away with heat.” When one of the letters was gone, the slogan would change to „Away with truncheons.”  The result was another suppression by the authorities.

In September happeners distributed flowers on the street in recognition of Peace Day.  The authorities intervened in this and subsequent happenings.  In October, during the Toilet Paper action, the happeners handing out toilet paper rolls along with little knowing accidental pedestrians were arrested and charged for the unlawful distribution of toilet paper, a product which was very scarce at the time; then came Army Day, during which the militia destroyed a cardboard tank, and Civil Police Day when militiamen arrested the happeners who offered them flowers.

In November during the happenings to commemorate the October Revolution, the authorities arrested any participant found wearing red.  In December, approximately 30 participants dressed as St. Nicholas were similarly arrested.   

Actions, called now 'happenings', were gaining momentum and having increasing appeal to the masses.  The happening movement was alternatively being called the New Culture Movement or the Orange Alternative. Eventually, this last expression stuck and became the name for the new social and political consciousness.

Gallery

Wrocław