The event showcases the rich culture of the region of southern Europe. Its idea is to integrate people of different backgrounds who settled in this region after World War II. By organizing the festival, we wish to preserve the traditions, language and customs of re-emigrants from the countries of the former Yugoslavia.
On this day, a re-emigrant village will be created in the Market Square, inhabited by rural women's associations and associations from: Tomaszów Bolesławiecki, Osiecznica-Kliczków, Wykroty, Dobra, Kierżno, Bożejowice-Rakowice, Zebrzydowa, as well as the Association of Active Women “Lipiany” and the Association of Re-emigrants from Bosnia, Their Descendants and Friends.
Residents and visitors will have the opportunity to try Balkan cuisine specialties: traditional pita with fillings (spicy and salty), goulash soup and pepper soup. Once again, a culinary competition will be held for “good pita” and a “Balkan cauldron.” A further culinary attraction will be pečenica, a festive dish served in the countries of the former Yugoslavia.
The Association of Re-emigrants from Bosnia, Their Descendants and Friends will present the exhibition “Poles on Bosnian Soil.”
In the afternoon, a colorful parade of folk ensembles will take place, opening the festival officially by Piotr Roman, Mayor of Bolesławiec. During the opening, we will dance Kolo, a traditional folk dance popular in the Balkans.
On the folk stage, local folk ensembles will present the dances, music and songs of the South Slavic countries. Performers will include: the Municipal Song and Dance Ensemble “Jutrzenka,” the Association of Re-emigrants from Bosnia, Their Descendants and Friends, the “Niespodzianka” Ensemble, the “Leśne Nastroje” Ensemble, the “Bolesławiec” Song and Dance Ensemble, and the Kapela Herbutów Niezapominajki.
Concerts by guests from Croatia are planned for the evening; two ensembles from Croatia will perform. Founded in 1890, Puhački Orkestar Brass Band DVD Valpovo is one of the oldest brass orchestras in the Republic of Croatia. Its repertoire includes classical, stage and sacred music, opera arias, and popular and international melodies. It currently consists of 42 musicians. In addition, the Croatian brass orchestra will perform on June 21 at 7:15 p.m. at the Bolesławiec Basilica of the Virgin Mary on Kościelna Street.
The festival will conclude with a performance by the vocal and instrumental group Jovalius Bend from Valpovo. The group performs throughout Croatia at numerous entertainment events, gatherings and weddings. The band’s repertoire includes popular Croatian and international entertainment and dance hits, as well as folk music performed on mandolins, which are part of the cultural landscape of this part of Croatia.
The detailed program is available on posters and at www.bok.boleslawiec.pl
The organizers of the 15th edition of the festival are the Municipality of Bolesławiec and the Bolesławiec Cultural Centre – International Ceramics Centre. Once again, the co-organizers of this important event for Bolesławiec are the Regional Representation of the European Commission in Poland and the Association of Re-emigrants from Bosnia, Their Descendants and Friends. Honorary patronage has been provided by the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia. This year’s edition received funding from the National Centre for Culture as part of the Culture – Interventions 2015 program and from the KGHM Polska Miedź Foundation.
