Warsaw's legendary Kino Luna to reopen soon

Starting in 2025, the Mazovian Institute of Culture (MIK) will independently manage Warsaw's Kino Luna, with funding secured by the regional government. Essential renovation and modernization work will be carried out, but the character of the cinema will not change, as emphasized during a press briefing at the MIK headquarters.

Luna will host film retrospectives, festivals, author meetings, and educational activities. The cinema will remain part of the Art House Cinema Network and will continue its cooperation with Europa Cinemas, the organization promoting European cinema.

"The art house cinema will receive a direct subsidy, which will ensure its operational stability. We have received assurance about the funds for the necessary design and cost documentation for the cinema's redevelopment," said Magdalena Ulejczyk, director of the Mazovian Institute of Culture, during Wednesday's meeting with journalists.

"This is a cult cinema, beloved by the residents of Warsaw, but it is also in a state that has made certain initiatives impossible to carry out. We want this cinema to grow, and we are not thinking short-term. We are thinking about its future for decades to come. That’s why we’ve made good use of the time while the cinema was temporarily closed - we've renovated it and carried out necessary repairs," she emphasized.

"The renovated and repainted cinema will return to you, I hope, at the turn of February and March, once we have built the Kino Luna team within the MIK structure. We remember our loyal viewers. It will return in a similar format as an art house cinema ... we will take care of an ambitious, artistic repertoire. We want as many festivals as possible to return to Luna. Such events attract the largest audiences, but we also remember various forms of film culture development, where we can operate with the support of the Mazovian government," the MIK director added.

However, this will not be the final form of the cinema, as it is set to undergo a full renovation and even a reconstruction. "We are opening the cinema for about two and a half years. During this time, we will be processing the documentation so it can undergo a full modernization and return fully accessible to the Warsaw cinema map. I think one of the halls will need to be divided into two smaller ones to allow for more films to be shown," said Ulejczyk.

The Mazovian Voivodeship authorities have secured nearly 2.9 million zlotys in the budget for this purpose. Additionally, in 2025, the regional authorities have allocated 4.6 million zlotys for the cinema’s statutory activities. So far, repairs to electrical and sanitary installations have been carried out, and adaptive work is currently underway, including repainting surfaces, cleaning chairs, installing new floor coverings, and purchasing new furniture for the foyer.

"Kino Luna, which some questioned the future of, will continue to operate, managed by the Mazovian Institute of Culture. To this end, the MIK’s statute is being amended," emphasized Ludwik Rakowski, chairman of the Mazovian Voivodeship assembly.

"MIK will receive funding for the cinema's operation, its ongoing maintenance, as well as the preparation for a comprehensive renovation or modernization of the facility, which may take place over the next few years. Kino Luna will remain a part of the cultural map of Warsaw and Mazovia," assured Rakowski.

The first screening at Kino Luna took place on July 22, 1962. The date was no coincidence, as it coincided with the National Revival of Poland Day, which was celebrated with great fanfare in the PRL (People's Republic of Poland).

These festivities often accompanied the opening of investments that the communist authorities were particularly proud of. The name was also ideologically charged, inspired by the Soviet space program "Luna," which sent unmanned probes to the Moon.

The cinema was closed in June this year when the 10-year contract with the previous operator expired. It was one of the last old cinemas still operating in its original location. The cinema has two large auditoriums.