Mazurkas of the World Foundation

During evening concerts, apart from the main guests of the event, also jazz and classical musicians perform their works displaying some references to mazurkas. During the spring and autumn editions of Mazurkas of the World Festival (Dancing Night), you can witness and participate in different workshops, contests for the young performers or club concerts. The event gaining more and more in popularity, has been organised since 2010 by Mazurkas of the World Foundation. It last two days – Saturday and Sunday, gathering the residents of Warsaw and visitors from Poland and abroad.

As part of the event some workshops are organized, coducted by maestros of mainly Polish folk music – instrumental, vocal and dancing. For many participants it is a perfect opportunity to exchange experience or acquire completely new skills. On Festival Saturday the Dancing Night is held – oberek event till the morning light, gathering the enthusiasts of the traditional music. Folk music masters together with their students and the invited guests play for the dancers.

During the spring editions there is the final concert of the Old Tradition Contest (Stara Tradycja), organised by the Foundation. It is dedicated to the young performers, continuators of the folk music from different regions of Poland. In the meantime the Instrument Fair is held, with the folk artists displaying their items. It is a rare chance to see, often archaic instruments brought from all over the country, admire the production process or listen to their sound. Records and books on music and instruments are also promoted along with some documentary films show.

On Sunday mornings folk singers honour the mass in Kościół Pokamedulski (Former Camaldolese Church) in Las Bielański and later, in the underground of the church, you can join the artists in singing religious songs.

The initiator of the event is Janusz Prusinowski, a violinist, lyrist and composer, a student of folk players – Stanisław Lewandowski, Piotr Gac and Jan Gac, Kazimierz Meto, Józef Zaraś and Józef Kędzierski, the founder of „Prusinowski Trio”.

In 2014 Mazurkas of the World Festival organised under the banner of “Rzeczpospolita Kolberga”, was nominated to Koryfeusz Muzyki Polskiej Award in the category „Event of the Year”.