Today marks the beginning of the eagerly awaited 61st Beskidy Highlanders’ Week of Culture, running through August 4th. This esteemed festival, renowned as one of Europe’s largest and oldest of its kind, will feature nearly 100 ensembles from Poland and around the globe, with events spread across Wisła, Szczyrk, Żywiec, Maków Podhalański, Oświęcim, Ujsoły, Jabłonków, and Istebna.
The festival’s schedule boasts around 60 concerts in amphitheatres and city squares. Wisła, Szczyrk, Żywiec, Jabłonków, and Istebna will be vibrant with colourful, dance-filled parades, offering attendees a deep dive into the rich culture of the Beskid highlanders. Performances by groups from Poland and beyond will highlight a diverse range of cultural expressions. Additionally, festival-goers can enjoy folk art, handicrafts, various workshops, exhibitions, folk concerts, and regional cuisine.
A focal point of the festival is the 55th Festival of Polish Highlanders’ Folklore, a prestigious competition for Polish highlanders, held during the first part of the week. Participants, including ensembles, bands, singing groups, instrumentalists, and singers from the Carpathian arc, will vie for the coveted Golden Hearts of Żywiec. Following this, the 33rd International Folklore Meetings in Żywiec will showcase global performers competing for the Grand Prix.
The 61st Beskidy Highlanders’ Week of Culture promises an enriching experience in highland traditions and international folklore, upholding its reputation as a premier cultural event in Europe.