Culture without barriers is the idea behind the 13th edition of Festiwal Kultury Bez Barier, taking place from 14 to 19 October 2025 in 25 Polish cities, including Warsaw.
The festival brings together theatres, museums, cinemas, cultural centres and other institutions for a programme designed to make cultural experiences more accessible to people with disabilities, as well as their families and friends.
Around 181 events are planned nationwide, ranging from theatre and film to exhibitions, concerts and workshops.
The festival's theme this year is MOŻESZ!, or YOU CAN!, reflecting its focus on participation rather than simply providing access.
“The slogan MOŻESZ! is at the centre of our activities and the way we think about the festival. We want everyone to be able to experience culture in a positive way,” says Anna Żórawska, president of the Culture Without Barriers Foundation and the festival's main coordinator.
Accessibility across Warsaw's cultural programme
The festival demonstrates the different ways cultural venues can adapt their programmes. Depending on the event, visitors can find audio description, subtitles for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences, Polish Sign Language interpretation, induction loops and sensory-friendly facilities.
There will also be information about the accessibility of individual venues and the possibility of requesting assistance when booking a place.
Among the examples in the wider festival programme are the theatre play “Bowie” at Warsaw's Teatr Studio, workshops at the Museum of Warsaw and activities at the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. The programme also includes events with Polish Sign Language and opportunities for independent visits to exhibitions.
For visitors who need a quieter environment, some events will provide designated relaxation areas, comfort rooms or sensory-friendly spaces. Content warnings will also be available for selected events.
The festival opens in Warsaw
The opening day on 14 October will take place at the Mazowiecki Institute of Culture. It will focus on practical approaches to accessibility, with the institute's team sharing its experience of adapting cultural spaces, programmes, communication and promotion.
The evening programme includes “Bóle fantomowe” (“Phantom pains”), directed by Dominika Feiglewicz-Penarska, followed by a discussion with members of the creative team moderated by journalist Anna Goc.
The festival continues from 15 to 19 October, with events taking place across the participating cities.
Warsaw has a particularly strong presence in the programme, reflecting the city's large network of theatres, museums and cultural institutions working on accessibility. For international residents, the festival also offers an opportunity to see how Polish cultural organisations are approaching inclusion in practical ways.
The full programme, including accessibility information for individual events, is available on the official festival website.
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Source: Festiwal Kultury Bez Barier
