Stalls filled with curiosities, traditional craftsmen, as well as street theatre performances, concerts and historical combat demonstrations. All this means that on the weekend of 26–27–28 August, you must join us in the Nysa Suburb of Zgorzelec. We also recommend the neighbouring Altstadtfest in Görlitz.

And what can you expect at the Old Town Festival, or Zgorzelec’s Jakuby, without revealing too much?

We are still finalising the programme, but we believe that already now, without any negative consequences, we can reveal a little...

We will begin as early as Thursday, 25 August, when the street rogues you like so much—that is, the artists of the BuskerBus festival—will set up, around forty of them, in every corner of Popiełuszki Square and show off their skills. There will be music, juggling and... magic tricks.

On Friday, 26 August, besides the ceremonial opening of Jakuby and concerts on the stage by the Old Town Bridge, we are planning, among other things, the Meadow of Philosophers: discussions of fundamental issues held under the open sky by leading intellectuals. There will also be something extra... A combination of early music with ultramodern technology and visualisations. But shhh... more details soon.

We have named Saturday, 27 August Street Artists’ Day. Musicians including Duo Ruach, the well-known and much-loved by Zgorzelec residents Szelindek from Hungary, and our rising star from Warsaw, Witek Muzyk Ulicy, will stroll along the riverside promenade, entertaining Jakuby’s guests with music. Sambor Dudziński will also appear with his musical contraption. There will be no shortage of theatres and their street parades. Artists from Teatr Porywaczy Ciał, among others, will walk along the Nysa, while Teatr A3 will present an amazing lantern parade in the evening. On the theatre meadow, where Teatr Małe MI will also stage performances for children, the first-ever Polish—and first-ever Zgorzelec—Championships in Shoe Throwing will be held! The stage will resound with music, including that of the outstanding folk ensemble Hoyraky.

Sunday, 28 August will be historical. The reconstruction groups invited to Jakuby will present, among other things, dance performances, white-weapons combat courses, a drill for the public and an archery range; there will be demonstrations of crafts, historical games and activities, combat displays, military manoeuvres and even cannon firing. Teatr Trójkąt and Teatr Małe MI will present their performances on the theatre meadow. And on the Jakuby stage, in addition to Kapela Hanki and Cygański Trio, there will also be the Polish Swearing Like a Sailor Championships, revived after many years. We are also planning various audio and video presentations devoted to the patron of Jakuby: the philosopher and mystic from Zgorzelec, the shoemaker Jakub Boehme.

We hope that we have managed to interest you, at least a little, in this year’s Jakuby. If so, let’s meet by the Nysa on the final weekend of this year’s holidays!

Janusz Pawul, MDK Zgorzelec/ii