For the twelfth time, the people of Bolesławiec came together to enjoy the South Slavic Culture Festival. This year’s Festival, widely advertised in the media, was attended by the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina Koviljka Špirić, the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia Ivan Del Vechio, the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia Radojko Bogojević and Natalia Szczucka, director of the Regional Representation of the European Commission in Wrocław, which provided financial support for the Festival.
The main idea behind this event is to preserve the traditions of the re-emigrants. After World War II, Poles who arrived from former Yugoslavia settled entire villages around Bolesławiec. To this day, the aroma of Balkan dishes prepared by housewives according to traditions passed down by grandmothers and mothers wafts from many homes.
This year, the Festival’s program was expanded with a number of events. A review of Croatian cinema was organized and proved very popular. Two artists from Serbia presented their work at the BOK-MCC gallery: Ksenija Pantelić and Jovana Ćosić. Their exhibition, “Nest of Points,” can be viewed until July 27.
The Dubrava Children’s Theatre performed “The Colors of the Rainbow” for children. The performance was understandable to everyone because the actors did not speak their lines, acting solely through gestures and sounds. The fairy-tale characters expressed their displeasure or irritation by whistling loudly, which the children received with great enthusiasm. Entire families watched the open-air show.
A real hit was the invitation of well-known and highly regarded stars of the music scene: the Prosvjeta ensemble from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Polish folk ensemble Balkan Sevdah, Chorwackie Dudy Orchestra and the Tsigunz Fanfara Avantura orchestra.
A Balkan town was set up in the Market Square, where women from Rural Housewives’ Circles tempted visitors with sweet and savory delicacies. In addition to traditional pita, visitors could sample homemade baked goods (sweet cakes with strawberries and bilberries), crisp crescent rolls, savory pastries filled with mushrooms, pierogi and stuffed cabbage rolls.
As always at the Festival, pećenica reigned supreme. The cooks from the Jazzva restaurant prepared two roasted pigs. A queue formed at their stand, and the roasted delicacy disappeared in no time. Two culinary competitions were also decided: for “Good Pita” and “Balkan Cauldron.” The jury, which included representatives of the embassies, selected the pita made by Maria Wesołowska from Różyniec and the “Balkan Cauldron” prepared by Andrzej Miżdal from Golnice. The best cooks did not reveal their recipes, but promised to surprise everyone once again next year.
Local folk groups performed on stage: the Association of Re-emigrants from Bosnia and the ensembles Wesoła Gromadka, Nasza Biesiada, Niespodzianka, Leśne Nastroje, Kapela Herbutów, Niezapominajki, Jarzębina and the Jutrzenka Municipal Song and Dance Ensemble. The Bolesławiec Song and Dance Ensemble, led by BOK-MCC instructor Agnieszka Podłaszczyk, received prolonged applause. The group of children and young people performed two folk dances from Croatia in new costumes.
The joint “Pravo Horo” dance, performed in the Market Square by the people of Bolesławiec, honorary guests, members of local groups and the stars of this year’s Festival, was extraordinarily spectacular. Members of the Balkan Sevdah folk ensemble taught the procession dance.
The first musical star to appear on the Festival stage was the Balkan-Klezmer orchestra Di Grine Kuzine. Its unique sound, created by combining energy and passion, won the hearts of listeners. In addition to its traditional Klezmer repertoire, the ensemble played Bulgarian, Macedonian, Serbian and Turkish melodies and songs.
The Prosvjeta ensemble earned enormous applause. Its highly energetic performance, colorful costumes and, above all, dancing skills drew genuine crowds to the stage. The bagpipers of Chorwackie Dudy Orchiestra, dressed in regional folk costumes, proved to be not only excellent musicians but also singers. The bagpipers also conducted a special workshop on playing the bagpipes.
Another Festival star was the seven-member Tsigunz Fanfara Avantura ensemble. The artists established excellent contact with the audience. They presented original, modern arrangements of melodies from the Balkans, Turkey, the Middle East and India. Spectators danced in front of the stage until late in the evening.
The Festival will include a performance on July 5 at the Forum cinema by the Croatian National Song and Dance Ensemble Lado, which will officially bring this year’s South Slavic celebration to a close. Admission is paid.
The organizers of the 12th South Slavic Culture Festival were the Bolesławiec Cultural Centre – International Ceramics Centre and the Municipality of Bolesławiec. The co-organizers were the Regional Representation of the European Commission in Wrocław and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia. The honorary patrons were the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia, the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia, the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia and the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
(information: BOK-MCC/ii)