A Polish arts festival said Thursday its attempt to trigger serious historical debate through posters of naked women fighting backfired when self-declared "public morality" defenders ripped them down.

The images, displayed in the streets of the eastern city of Lublin as part of a theatre festival, were meant to represent the tumultuous relationship between Poland and Russia, according to festival director Janusz Oprynski.

Around 12 images of two women attacking one another and exchanging insults, which the director said was a "provocative allegory" to fit in with the festival's theme of Russian art.

The posters were by Russian artists The Blue Nose Group, known for their controversial works, the director said.

But some people were so shocked by the posters they decided to rip them from the city's streets, the director said.

"People claiming to defend public morality have destroyed everything," Oprynski lamented.

The director has not, however, been deterred from his goal of using pictures of nude women to stir debate on the often difficult relationship between Poland and Russia.

"Fortunately, we have already been able to print the posters again," he said.

"They will be put up again on Thursday, and will be better protected."

Lublin's theatre festival this year brings together 18 theatre companies as well as film directors, visual artists and musicians. Many participants come from former Soviet countries and Japan.

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AFP

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