We invite you to a concert, during which the “Wrocław” Lower Silesian Song and Dance Company, founded in 1952, will present traditional Polish dances, gems of the national culture and history. Together we will learn about Polish national dances such as: mazur, kujawiak, oberek, krakowiak or polonaise, which show the beauty and richness of Polish noble and folk cultures. These dances played a special role in the 19th century, serving to build national identity. Composers often reached for their rhythms and melodies at that time, creating the national style in music  strengthening the sense of belonging in our ancestors, despite the fact that Poland was not an independent state then, and inspired the Polish people to cultivate their own customs and rituals.

Poland’s national dances therefore found their place in operas, ballets, songs, both popular and art music.  They became the subject of paintings by artists working mainly in the 19th and first half of the 20th century: Włodzimierz Tetmajer, Józef Chełmoński, Jacek Malczewski, and Zofia Stryjeńska. We will focus not only on the nature and history of these dances, but also on the costumes of the performers – these will be the costumes typical of the Duchy of Warsaw period, as well as folk garments from Kujawy, Łowicz and Kraków. During the concert, dance performances will be intertwined with folk songs, including those from the Kraków region.