The words 'Point des rêveries' (Down with your dreams) are uttered in November Night. Why did Stanisław Wyspiański have this phrase sounded at the outbreak of the uprising against Russia on a day that revives dreams?

Stanisław Wyspiański sketched the scene set in the Variety Theatre as early as December 1901. The author of November Night was interested in what was being staged in Warsaw on the evening of 29 November 1830, but not to recreate the realities in his drama, but to bring out their meaning, to find their deeper connection with history, the course of which was then rapidly accelerating. He put the words into the mouths of the actors: "Point des rêveries" (Down with your dreams). In fact, they were uttered by Tsar Alexander II a quarter of a century later with the intention of finally depriving Poles of the hope of regaining their freedom. In November Night, Stanisław Wyspiański made them the refrain of a song. Why did the poet make these words resound just at the outbreak of the uprising against Russia on a day that brings dreams to life?

The lecture is part of the programme of events for the temporary exhibition 'Wyspiański's Iconosphere. November Night in the Royal Łazienki".