Can a culture centre bring profit? Can a café become a place to present culture (and not only)? Chłodna 25 is a perfect example of this. When asked: „Why a café?”, its creator, Grzegorz Lewandowski quotes Kantor: „All artistic revolutions begin in cafes”.

What is 25 Chłodna St.?

Chłodna is a cafe, a club, a day-room. It is a place to meet people, to realise various social and cultural projects. A place open to interesting initiatives that broaden peoples’ horizons. It is the initiative of young people who want to change the world and are seeking partners for cooperation. Over the bar in Chłodna 25 there is a quotation from Tadeusz Kantor: “All artistic revolutions begin in cafes” – we want to be such a cafe.


Isn’t it difficult to combine so many different activities?

When, after a classical music concert, the room is occupied by IT enthusiasts who are discussing new internet applications, and then young film-makers come to present their films, I can only be happy. I frequently asked myself whether we should narrow the subject matter of the events. Now I think that power is in diversity. The only criterion should be the quality and the interest of educated public. I would like Chłodna to be a meeting place for people of passion. Perhaps at first glance someone fascinated by computer applications doesn’t have anything to talk about with people fascinated by Bach’s sonatas. But it is the meeting of people who, at first glance, have nothing to talk about that results in the most interesting social and cultural projects. 25 Chłodna St. – while maturing, learning and integrating interesting people draws from the wealth of subjects.

Did you establish Chłodna with such an idea or has the idea been evolving?

From the very beginning the idea was to create an interdisciplinary, multimedia, modern and private community centre. We intended to show the city and the world that it is possible to run a place which deals with broadly understood socio-cultural activation without being boring and easily pigeon-holed. The programme was basically very similar to what we have managed to do in nearly 3 years. “Technical” plans were very definite – we envisaged a professionally operating structure. Life verified our slightly cosy attitude to life. Not everything worked smoothly and is not working still, external auditors would probably open their eyes wide and the competition would die of laughter, but we are arranging our little “cool” system enthusiastically.


Did you follow any example, a foreign one say?

Undoubtedly, the first example will forever be that of the Tender Barbarian invented  and run by Tomasz Brzozowski, where I spent the best years of my life before I started Chłodna 25. I was charmed by the atmosphere of that club-bookshop with rich cultural programme. What I found missing there a little was social problems. Whenever I came to Krakow, I visited Alchemia (an unattainable example to this day). Berlin and Vienna have lots of places I was inspired by. We are trying not to copy though. I think that to some extent we are unique – in our attitude to business.

Is Chłodna 25 a commercial enterprise?

Commercial in the sense that most cultural projects realized in Chłodna have to bring profit. Our activities are not money-oriented however. We earn to be able to work. Relative financial self-sufficiency enables independence, which undoubtedly is most important for us. We are surrounded by people for whom it is most important to influence the environment, to change the world. Commerciality is out of a question.
 


Is Chłodna your only initiative?

At the moment – it is. I’m sure it won’t change in the nearest future. But one day I would like to coordinate activities of an initiative larger than Chłodna. I dream of a network of private community centres like ours, loosely connected with one another. Loosely connected, in terms of ideology (the sense of mission to initiate socio-cultural events), places all over Poland, places that in the future could stir up a real positive grassroots cultural revolution.   

How can cooperation with Chłodna 25 be established then?

You can visit us, write an e-mail or call. We are open to various initiatives. A group of friends and volunteers who form a small programme council make sure that the events are of good quality. They are not dangerous though and support good projects with all their hearts.


What projects are most popular with your guests?

During holidays the series of events entitled “Dances in Chłodna” was enjoying record popularity. During academic year jazz and improvised music concerts, periodic classical music concerts and events organized by non-government organizations are in vogue. Also, the series of socio-political documentaries are very popular.

What is „enterprise in culture” according to you?

Enjoy yourself and earn money (smile). In the near future leisure management will become one of the most important industries in Poland. I think that there will always be enough work for us.



And finally, tell us whether you are proud of Chłodna 25?

I still feel unsatisfied. I can’t distance myself from that and I always see faults and deficiencies. I am happy though that the place is maturing, strengthening technically and improving its quality. I hope that this development will never end. We have lots of ideas and are ready to work hard. We welcome everybody’s cooperation.