2024 FESTIVAL of HIGHLAND FOLKLORE
.: Festival of Highland Folklore in Zakopane is the most important cultural event organized in Zakopane every summer, since 1965. In the beginning, the folk groups were just a small element of a wide ranging programme. In September of 1965 four local groups performed on the stage of the Giewont cinema to great acclaim. The organizers realised that the success of these performances indicated a great interest in folklore and tradition, paving the way for a successful future attraction in Zakopane. And this is precisely what happened. In 1968, folk groups from other countries were invited to take part alongside their Polish counterparts, thus the first truly international festival was born. Initially all the folk groups competed in one single category and vied for one prize - the golden Highlanders axe. However, immediately following this first competition the judges realised that there were considerable differences in style amongst the various folk groups. They recommended a review of the competition regulations. The esteemed ethnographer, Roman Reinfuss, was enlisted to assist with these changes. He introduced a system of three separate competition categories.
55th International Festival of Highland Folklore in Zakopane 16 - 22 August 2024
The festival tent, festival village and outdoor stage are located in the centre of Zakopane, on the Lower Rówień Krupowa (city park between Kościuszki 3 and Maja Streets). Admissions to all events are free of charge.Programme of the 55th International Festival of Highland Folklore in Zakopane:
16-22.08 from 10:00 to 18:00 in Festival Village at the Lower Rówień Krupowa in centre of Zakopane will be open Folk Art and Craft Craft Fair where one can get nice and valuable, handmade souvenirs and gifts
AUGUST 16 / FRIDAY
- 10:00 Podhale Championship in horse-drawn carriage driving
Górna Rówień Krupowa - DAY OF POLISH HIGHLANDERS:
- 15:00 Concert of the Little Highlanders (Mali Górale). Presentation of the winners of the 14th Tatra Mountain Bands Festival
- 17:00 breaking the record in the Highlander's Dance
- 17:30 presentation of the heritage of Polish Highlanders - performance of five regional bands from Podhale
- 20:30CONCERT ON A FOLK NOTE - TREBUNIE TUTKI (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!)
AUGUST 17 / SATURDAY
- 15:00 Wedding procession. Parade from Plac Niepodległości to the festival village (Dolna Rówień Krupowa)
- 16:00 A traditional highlander wedding performed by the „POLONIORZE” from Kościelisko
festival village - outdoor stage, Dolna Rówień Krupowa - 19:00 FOLK NOTE CONCERT - ZAKOPOWER (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!) - festival village, Dolna Rówień Krupowa
AUGUST 18 / SUNDAY
- 10:30 Solemn Holy Mass
Church of St. Cross, Zamoyskiego Street - 11:30 Happy Procession through the streets of Zakopane: Zamoyskiego and Krupówki (highly recommended!)
- 13:30 Exhibition of Tatra Sheepdogs
festival village, Dolna Rówień Krupowa - 18:00 OPENING CONCERT
festival village - outdoor stage, Dolna Rówień Krupowa
AUGUST 19 / MONDAY
- 10:00 Regional workshops
festival village - outdoor tent, Dolna Rówień Krupowa - 12:00 Animations for the youngest
festival village - outdoor tent, Dolna Rówień Krupowa - 12:00International Competition of Bands, Instrumentalists and Folk Singers
outdoor stage, Dolna Rówień Krupowa - 15:00National Day
festival village, Dolna Rówień Krupowa - 17:00 Competition concerts:
- four groups - festival village - outdoor stage, Dolna Rówień Krupowa - 20:00 Competition concerts:
three groups - festival village - outdoor stage, Dolna Rówień Krupowa - 21:30 Dance party with festival bands
festival village - outdoor tent, Dolna Rówień Krupowa
AUGUST 20 / TUESDAY
- 10:00 Regional workshops
festival village - outdoor tent, Dolna Rówień Krupowa - 11:00 Animations for the youngest
festival village - outdoor tent, Dolna Rówień Krupowa - 12:00 International Competition of Bands, Instrumentalists and Folk Singers
outdoor stage, Dolna Rówień Krupowa - 15:00National Day
festival village, Dolna Rówień Krupowa - 17:00 Competition concerts: four groups - festival village, outdoor stage, Dolna Rówień Krupowa
- 20:00 Competition concerts:three groups - festival village, outdoor stage, Dolna Rówień Krupowa
- 21:30 Dance party with festival bands - festival village - outdoor tent, Dolna Rówień Krupowa
AUGUST 21 / WEDNESDAY
- 10:00 Regional workshops - festival village - outdoor tent, Dolna Rówień Krupowa
- 11:00 Animations for the youngest - outdoor tent, Dolna Rówień Krupowa
- 12:00 International Competition of Folk Bands, Instrumentalists and Singers named after Władysława Trebunia-Tutki - outdoor stage, Dolna Rówień Krupowa
- 15:00 National Day
festival village, Dolna Rówień Krupowa - 16:00 Competition concerts: two groups - festival village, outdoor stage, Dolna Rówień Krupowa< /li>
- 18:00 CONCERT POWER OF ROOTS
festival village, outdoor stage, Dolna Rówień Krupowa - 21:00 FAREWELL BALL - dance party with festival bands
festival village - outdoor tent, Dolna Rówień Krupowa
AUGUST 22 / THURSDAY
- 10:00 Regional workshops
festival village - outdoor tent, Dolna Rówień Krupowa - 11:00 Animations for the youngest - festival village - outdoor tent, Dolna Rówień Krupowa
- 14:00 Announcement of the results and concert of the winners of the International Competition of Folk Bands, Instrumentalists and Singers. Władysława Trebunia-Tutki - outdoor stage, Dolna Rówień Krupowa
- 17:00 FINAL CONCERT Highlanders of the world. Announcement of the competition results and award ceremony - festival village - outdoor stage, Dolna Rówień Krupowa
