The much anticipated 61st Beskidy Highlanders’ Week of Culture is just around the corner, promising a vibrant celebration of highland folklore and culture. This year, the festival will run from July 27th to August 4th, featuring nearly 100 ensembles from Poland and around the world. Events will be held across various locations including Wisła, Szczyrk, Żywiec, Maków Podhalański, Oświęcim, Ujsoły, Jabłonków, and Istebna, making it one of the largest and oldest festivals of its kind in Europe.
The festival’s lineup includes around 60 concerts held in amphitheatres and city squares. The streets of Wisła, Szczyrk, Żywiec, Jabłonków, and Istebna will come alive with colourful, dance-filled parades. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich culture of the Beskid highlanders. The festival will also feature performances from groups across Poland and beyond, showcasing a diverse array of cultural expressions. Additionally, there will be plenty of folk art, handicrafts, various workshops, exhibitions, folk concerts, and regional cuisine to enjoy.
A highlight of the festival is the 55th Festival of Polish Highlanders’ Folklore, a prestigious competition for Polish highlanders, held during the first part of Beskidy Highlanders’ Week of Culture. Participants, including ensembles, bands, singing groups, instrumentalists, and singers from across the Carpathian arc, will compete for the coveted Golden Hearts of Żywiec. Following this, audiences in Żywiec will witness performers from around the globe competing for the Grand Prix at the 33rd International Folklore Meetings.
The 61st Beskidy Highlanders’ Week of Culture promises a rich, immersive experience in highland traditions and international folklore, continuing its legacy as a premier cultural event in Europe.