On a hot Sunday, many fans of good music and entertainment gathered at the sports field in Bolesławice. On 1 June, it was not only children who celebrated in the village near Bolesławiec, but also repatriates, their family members and enthusiasts of Balkan culture.
For several years, events commemorating the return of large groups of expatriate Poles to their homeland have been held in Bolesławiec County. Many residents of our county still preserve the customs, rituals and culinary traditions of those places. South Slavic songs are still remembered and sung. For this reason, Balkan-themed events in both Bolesławiec and the surrounding municipalities remain consistently popular.
Ten groups performed at the third Balkan Festa. The following appeared on stage: Zespół Śpiewaczy z Ocic, Ale Babki z Różyńca, Nasza Biesiada z Osiecznicy, Milikowianki, the Nad Kwisą group from Osiecznica, Zagajnik, Kapela Herbutów, Ego from Bolesławiec and Gminny Zespół Pieśni i Tańca Jutrzenka.
The evening’s star was Balkan Folk Acoustic, a group that has been promoting Bulgarian folklore, folk traditions and the music of countries such as Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Greece for years. The group members came to Bolesławice with friends from Bulgaria, some of whom decided to settle in Poland. The Bulgarians brought traditional preserves, which everyone could taste.
During this year’s Balkan Festa, residents of Bolesławiec County had the opportunity to hear a wide variety of songs. One example of a song known not only to repatriates but also to the younger generation is “Marijanna.” It was performed as many as four times that day, and all the versions differed considerably from one another.
After Balkan Folk Acoustic’s performance, there was a dance party. Fans of Balkan culture danced late into the night.
(information from GOKiS Bolesławiec based in Kruszyn/GA)