The blues legend from the Mississippi Delta says that when a novice bluesman stands at an empty rural crossroads on a dark, moonless night, Satan may come to him. A pact for the bluesman's soul will then be made, guaranteeing him easy money, women, whisky and fame for the rest of his life.
Satan would not chase after bad people; they would come to him without any effort. But good people, with sincere hearts, sensitive to the beauty of the world and human pain, open and honest, are a tempting morsel for the devil. Such are the blues musicians who have been coming to Bolesławiec for workshops and concerts for nineteen years. Lately, only the devil appreciates this. But we have an opportunity to change that by attending the festival concerts and jam sessions.
Krystyna Juszkiewicz says in an interview for the “Luz Blues” workshop newspaper what matters most in “Blues nad Bobrem” (BnB): “Blues is music that is not promoted by scandals, but only by talent and hard work. This music is authentic. It is worth promoting the event for the young people who work in the organising office or as volunteers. It is worth it for the workshop participants and lecturers. And finally, for blues lovers. The BnB workshops have been a calling card of Bolesławiec for 19 years. It is also important that events such as BnB unite people and tie them to our city. Friendships are born here that last a lifetime. The fact that BnB is not a mass event is its greatest strength,” Krystyna Juszkiewicz emphasises.
Mariola Kisielewicz, a volunteer and deputy to Łukasz Molak, head of the Festival Office, says that the organisers’ primary task is to host the workshop participants, to be a mother, brother and sister to them. Their stay in Bolesławiec is meant to be unforgettable and pleasant. That is the meaning and purpose of the Festival.
Same old blues for Bolesławiec residents
Concerts in Bolesławiec
This year, the Festival Club is located at Piwnica Paryska. Every day during the Festival, jam sessions will be held there from 9:30 p.m. Participants in the workshops will perform alongside recognised artists, giving audiences an opportunity to hear how they handle the stage.
We quoted the interview with Krystyna Juszkiewicz courtesy of the editorial team of the “Luz Blues” festival newspaper, edited by Ewa Ołenicz-Bernacka, Mariola Kisielewicz, Martyna Sidorowicz, Katarzyna Kłopotek and Jan Piotr Gnyszka.
(information by Grażyna Hanaf)