Divadlo

Dana Košická is Searching the Good in Everything

Theatres have not operated duly, more or less, for more than a year. How is it like for an actress not having regular evening performance. Rehearsals are taking place in restricted regime or not at all, you cannot meet your colleagues or audience regularly?

We cannot perform, cannot meet, we cannot do what we enjoy, what fills our lives. It is uneasy, but I have learnt to accept things the way they are. I was lucky, because I performed a bit, during all that pandemic, I rehearsed Jenufa in the National Theatre. I was in the process of rehearsing. But there were no shows. I think that each actor, each creative person, is missing that creativity. You cannot replace it, online productions are not enough, streaming or video recording is not enough. It simply cannot match our direct contact with the audience. I miss it.

On the other hand, these days have brought the opportunity to spend some time at home. Do your hobbies, interests. What fills your time most, these days? Have you discovered any new hobbies?

Yet before the pandemic, I had a lot of hobbies. I have never been bored; I do not know that word. I do yoga, chi-kung, and general body development, so I had quite some time. But nothing new. I discovered the hobbies yet before.

Each of us had his/her life different in the last year. Have you had any positive experience, in addition to all those negative things everywhere around us?

My grandson was born in January 2020. And positive things? I am always trying to find, in all that life gives me, the positive things though it may seem negative at the first sight or it is presented to us as negative. I found a lot of positive things in people, in my own family, around me. I am not in this alone. I often see these reactions. Many people stopped, they started to look after their families more; and their relationships, kids, and themselves. I think it brought something positive to many.

Easter is ahead of us and it will be different, the second year in a row. Different than what we are used to. Do you keep any traditions? What will your holidays look like this year?

I do not keep any traditions, and this is quite a normal situation for me. Each year is always different. It is never the same. I always adapt to current situation, present weather, because it is spring. Easter is celebration of spring. The way spring is, the way I go through the holidays. Either I go out, or I am visiting my mother in the Tatras or I go to the countryside. As I do not keep any traditions, I am happy I am flexible during Easter holidays.

Holiday is a time when we meet with friends and close ones. In this situation, however, it is not possible. Meeting others is, probably, what we miss the most. Social networks, cell phones, can they replace it?

Surely not. I even stopped following Facebook, because I feel that people live a kind of virtual life there and they give me a picture of their life. I do not want to generalise. I stopped following that as it is not a real life, it cannot replace life as such. I don’t know what others think about it. I am happy, if I can meet somebody in person. And you can do it even today when we wear masks. On the other hand, I am thankful for cell phones, so I can be in touch with my daughter who lives in Bratislava. But be there no pandemic, it would be like this anyway. I can’t always travel to Bratislava. I believe that social networks can’t replace normal meeting.

In popular TV series Sestričky (Nurses) you did nurse Helen. You had a chance to get a glimpse into our healthcare system, which is the frontline of combating Coronavirus. Viewed from the outside, can you imagine what your 'colleagues' have been through these months?

My sister is a nurse. She actually works at Infectious Diseases Unit, so I got first-hand information. I have great respect for these people who are willing to undergo all this. The whole day long in a protective overall with maximum devotion and energy, heroic efforts. The fact that I did, still do – we still produce, the character in this TV series gave me a chance to examine healthcare. Already then, I gained a great respect for healthcare workers. It is not mere job for them, it is a mission. They do it, as they feel it, otherwise one can’t do that. These people do their mission. I have a great respect for those whose work is their mission.

In your previous interviews you have mentioned, several times, that you have a great interest in psychology. That you would study psychology, if you weren’t an actress. Does it help you to go through difficult life situations? As a psychologist, what advice would you give to others in these special times that can’t be easily managed?

Especially, I would give up this mantra or mindset that these are hard times. Times are the way they are. Call it hard, it will be hard. Maybe I learnt this by means of psychology and through some Oriental teachings which I do as well. There are best practices or advices. Each has his/her own fears, practices, and own way which is unique. It cannot be generalized, one can’t prepare instructions, e.g. 10 best ways how … Each must search in his/her own Self, find something positive in that what is around. Especially, these days. If you focus on negative things, things will be negative, and they will influence you. If it is out of your reach, you can’t change it; you will get frustrated and oppressed. I am trying to search something positive in all that around me. Something that can take me forward, something I can learn. Something that is a challenge for me and makes space for another self-fulfilment. Maybe, this is my advice.

You were born in High Tatras and, according to you, that is why you have a positive relationship to sport and nature. Lately, have you discovered any new scenic places or sports?

Not, really, new scenic places. On the contrary. We spent time within our own circle. And within that private circle, I have discovered beautiful places. Those places I haven’t seen before. We constantly travel to see something new and overlook what we have around us. And may be now it’s time to get to know our places more closely, look for some attractive places, in all four seasons. I learnt old Indian wisdom. Indians never leave their village. They say that when they go to a forest, it is never the same forest. They say that the forest is always different. So, the same way I found out that the close places, around my home, are never the same. My garden, the way to my shop is never the same. I have discovered the beauties of my neighbourhood.

I tried all the sports. I got back to the most natural activity and that is walking. Cycling, skying was not possible, and suddenly I found out that walking, the most natural movement, is my best.

Your daughter, Mirka, inherited your genes. She chose theatre. She did dramaturgy for Maškaráda, here in Košice. How did you see her decision? Do you frequently discuss theatre or acting? Is she your first critic?

I was not happy that she wants to work in a theatre, but in my opinion my close ones around me have right to make their own decision. I said to her I was not happy, of course, but I understood it is a natural way of a daughter of an actress and a director. Yes, we discuss theatre and I see her as my best critic whom I absolutely trust. She has a gift to see things. And she knows me perfectly. She doesn’t judge me. When it was rather false, imprecise, when I fell into some stereotypes. We trust each other absolutely. She can tell me things so as not to offend me. I am happy I have her as my best critic. We speak about theatre very naturally, as she grew up in the theatre. Theatre is a part of us, our common topic.

A year ago, she made you a grandmother (ʿgrandʿ is in quotes, of course). How do you feel as a grandmother? Perhaps it is not easy to fully enjoy it, due to corona restrictions and the fact that Mirka lives in Bratislava?

I very much realize I can’t fully enjoy this little kid, who is probably the most beautiful thing that could happen these days. It is a pity contacts are limited, although we see each other on Skype and Messenger. Anyway, it can’t replace direct contact. When they released restrictions, we met and I, suddenly, felt that deficit of human contact. There’s no substitute for that. Especially not, with such a little kid. I am very happy, excited. The fact that I can’t see this little baby who is, absolutely, beautiful Gods’ gift, is the biggest handicap for me these days.

Let’s get back to the theatre. There were a few live productions. And, perhaps, it will remain so for quite some time. Following a long break, will it be difficult to get back on stage in a theatre? Do you keep in shape, as an actress, you go through the texts or in any other way?

All over the period, I have been constantly rehearsing, getting back so some pieces, and I had a few live productions as well. Fortunately, it has never fully stopped. I have never been in such situation, so I don’t know whether coming back will be a problem. But I trust to myself and overall theatre company that it won’t be a problem. We will just jump back on board, it is somewhere inside us, and we are constantly getting back. I got my texts with me; I work with them. I think it will not be a problem. Quite the opposite. It might be different, new, enriched. We will be different inside us.

Aren’t you afraid that people will totally give up going to the theatre or prefer on-line shows?

Surely not. Online space is only a temporary medium. It only tries to replace theatre. But this direct contact, there’s no substitute for that. Passing some kind of energy, that’s the essence of theatre. You don’t get that from screen. It is not a film, which has a bit different structure. Theatre is based on interaction, viewers in a way get energy from us, they become an integral part of the production. Viewer is not a mere passive receiver. And that’s the thing. And during those few performances we did in the last year, in time when restrictions were released, I saw the audience was literally 'horny' to be there in the theatre. They wanted to feel it. Of course, people have some fears, fear may preserve for quite some time. I believe all that will be gone one day. Theatre have been with us for thousands of years. Corona can’t stop it. Surely not.

If you could make a wish for your fans, and all other people, not only for the upcoming Easter holiday, what would it be?

I wish them a lot of love, peace, and harmony. Wish them that they do not occupy with fear, worries, though it is difficult. Each period brings something, we must see beauty, nice things. And, as Easter is the celebration of spring, new birth, new beginning, may it be new birth, new beginning, new spring for them.