Everyone knows that Lipiany is famous for good taste. Those who were not sure about it found out on Sunday. The village women tempted visitors with pita in all kinds of flavors: savory and sweet, with pumpkin, cheese, potatoes, spinach or apples. Everyone found their favorite flavor. Those who arrived at the festival after Sunday lunch could enjoy a variety of cakes and delicious linden tea.
At the beginning, the floor was taken by the head of Bolesławiec Municipality Andrzej Dutkowski, together with the president of the Active Women’s Association, Alicja Janiec, and the chairperson of the Municipal Council, Bogusław Uziej. They welcomed those gathered and wished them a good time, officially opening the 2nd Balkan Pita Festival.
The Ditroit band was the first to perform on the municipal stage. Because the young musicians played and sang songs that everyone knew well, the audience supported them by singing along.
It was also time for the first of the competitions for children. It required teamwork, agility and good coordination. The youngest participants had to hold a heart-shaped balloon between them without using their hands and complete a slalom as quickly as possible. The competition quickly produced winners, but all participants received prizes.
Kinga’s performance opened a presentation of the vocal skills of children and young people who hone their talents under the watchful eye of Agnieszka Orawiec. Meanwhile, the competition jury began tasting the pitas entered in the contest. The task was not easy, and with each subsequent bite it became even more difficult. However, the three top places were chosen unanimously.
Winners of the competition for the best pita
The best pumpkin pita was made by Elżbieta Miżdal. Second place went to Grażyna Kuśnierz. Third place was taken by the only man in the group, Henryk Borucki. All those who entered their baked goods in the competition received prizes.
After one last commemorative photograph, the Leśne Nastroje band from Dobra appeared on stage. It was followed by the Zespół Pieśni i Tańca Ziemi Bolesławieckiej, and then by Elisa and Denise Laudani.
Meanwhile, those willing could try their hand at making pita. Under Alicja Janiec’s watchful eye, they kneaded the dough, added apples and rolled everything up. They could taste the baked pitas just half an hour later.
The next competition required considerable strength. This time, participants had to roll a huge pumpkin between cones. The task was difficult because the pumpkin’s shape meant that it did not always move in the direction the competitor wanted. The contest brought plenty of laughter and fun.
The Gminny Zespół Pieśni i Tańca "Jutrzenka" performed next. With a large group of fans, the ensemble was the first to get the audience dancing. The crowd enjoyed itself so much that it made the group perform several encores.
The final contest proposed by the organizers was the one that had already generated the most excitement a year earlier: stretching dough for pita. Tomek and Celestyna competed against Elżbieta and Kasia. It turned out that the mother-and-daughter team was unbeatable, and their original method of stretching the dough brought them victory.
After the competition, the evening’s star, the Pireus band, performed. The Greek atmosphere they created got those gathered dancing after just a few songs. Meanwhile, a huge bonfire was lit, creating a wonderful atmosphere. The 2nd Balkan Pita Festival ended with a dance party.
The organizer of the 2nd Balkan Pita Festival was the Gminny Ośrodek Kultury i Sportu w Bolesławcu z/s w Kruszynie.
Gmina Bolesławiec/K. Wieczorek