“Our society is geared towards success. But failure is just as much a part of it. ” And: “We are a place for people who are good at their art. But who often don’t get practical things right. ” With these words, Adam Gusowski outlines the idea behind the Polish Failure Club.
On June 6, 2024, a group of about 20 interested people followed the club founder’s explanations. With their sense of irony, wit and profundity, he, Pjotr Mordel and other comrades-in-arms had opened the club on September 1, 2001 at 5.45 a.m. in Torstraße in Berlin-Mitte. Their focus lies on groups in the population who do not conform to the usual ideas of success (= money, market compatibility). But who nevertheless have something to say.
Failure – a successful concept
Ever since, the club has hosted theater, music, films, discussions and numerous satirical shows. Poles are now in the minority among the visitors. The club is open to everyone and attracts people from all over the world. The success of “Versager” has given failure a positive connotation. Adam Gusowski doesn’t say that though, he’s too modest for that. But his charming, humorous appreciation of failure is not just about the word “failed”. The satire of successful thinking, of conventional thinking in general, opens up the horizon for different dimensions of success – even beyond those that are currently favored. And it opens up the question of what is essential. This also reflects the meaning of the Polish word “Nieudacznik” (“failure”). On the one hand, it means failure. On the other hand, it means that people get up again – and that others are there to help them.
Among other things, the participants asked about the history of the current location in Ackerstrasse, right next to the chokolate store. The club is able to exist as a self-managed project because a Swiss foundation acquired the building and removed it from the Berlin housing market.
And how do the founders view the situation in Poland?
The influence of the Catholic Church is still very strong; unfortunately, there is no left-winged party, such that the party spectrum is not too broad. Polish society is as divided as others. The high turnout in the presidential elections in November 2023 was high, which gives hope for greater political interest.
It was clear that the exchange with Adam Gusowski and, in the meantime, Pjotr Mordel was a relief for the participants. Perhaps because everyone has experienced failure (and getting up)
An event as part of the project Making voices heard_Co-determination and participation in the European horizon, sponsored by the abriporta Foundation.