Prepare to be swept away by the allure of the upcoming week as the Re:tradition – The Jagiellonian Fair Festival takes its enchanting stage. From Friday to Sunday (August 18-20), the cobblestone streets of the Old Town will metamorphose into a vibrant hub of traditional culture and folk arts. With attendees at the forefront of our plans, we have meticulously curated a tapestry of delights that are bound to captivate the heart of every Festival attendee. Re:tradition – The Jagiellonian Fair Festival is a component of events honouring Lublin’s designation as the European Youth Capital 2023.
Did you know that…
The Festival changes its name last year.
Emerging from its former guise as “The Jagiellonian Fair,” the event has transitioned into the “Re:tradition – The Jagiellonian Fair”. The purpose of this change was to highlight the festival’s quintessential theme of tradition, an element that lay latent in the original name. In the vibrant tapestry of today, “The Jagiellonian Fair” dons a new mantle, symbolising a spectacular bazaar of traditional arts and crafts, a mesmerising facet nestled within the broader symphony of the festival. In addition to the fair, the Festival also includes concerts, exhibitions, performances, and workshops. The name “Re:tradition” represents the response of contemporary audiences, observers, artists, and cultural creators to the heritage we possess and the creative wellspring from which we draw inspiration.
While attending the Festival, you have the chance to meet true master artisans
The artists you will encounter at the stalls are experts with extensive theoretical knowledge and practical finesse. They come from artisan families that have passed down their knowledge through generations. These traditional artists have gained recognition worldwide. Among them are academic lecturers, instructors in artisan schools, reconstructors of forgotten local traditions, and initiators of events, festivals, museums, and publications devoted to traditional culture. This year, approximately 140 exhibitors will present their creations, and within this group, over 30 continue traditions inscribed on the National Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage, represengin the legacies of Poland, Ukraine, Slovakia, Hungary, and Lithuania. Each stall will have a tag bearing the Festival’s logo, a distinctive number, the creator’s name, and the field they specialise in. Additionally, there will be a QR code that can be scanned to access more information about the artisan, their history, the tradition they represent, and, if the artisan has agreed, their contact details such as a website address, email, or phone number. This means that even after the Festival ends, the attendees will be able to get in touch with the creators. The festival tag serves as a guarantee that these creators and their products are committed to preserving valuable and unique regional traditions.
Exhibitors don’t pay for the stalls
Unlike many other events, Re:tradition – The Jagiellonian Fair Festival adopts a distinct approach when engaging exhibitors. Rather than requiring the exhibitors to pay fees, the organisers select and invite exceptional artists to take part. This approach significantly benefits local artisans and traditional artists, affording them the opportunity to present their distinctive creations to a broad audience without financial constraints. Furthermore, this approach creates an avenue for the public to discover exceptional creators who may not have the means to rent a booth at other similar events. As a result, the festival not only promotes cultural and artistic diversity, but also fosters an atmosphere of collaboration and support for creators, helping them grow and develop.
The Jagiellonian Fair Orchestra has released an album
The Jagiellonian Fair Orchestra has been exploring traditional music from the Lublin region since 2014. Their artistry extends beyond musical performance; they engage intimately with audiences and dancers, sparking rhythmic revelry at dance gatherings. As in previous years, the upcoming edition of the festival will once again offer you the opportunity to sway to the captivating rhythms of traditional melodies performed by The Jagiellonian Fair Orchestra.
It is worth noting that last year the group released an album called “Sesja otwarta” (Open Session). This album, which consists of 11 tracks, is the result of the Orchestra’s hard work over the course of several years. You can buy it at sklep.warsztatykultury.pl.
If you’re looking for more interesting information, make sure to participate in the Re:tradition – The Jagiellonian Fair Festival. One of the highlights of the festival is the re:tradition concert, which will showcase special musical arrangements by Atanas Valkov and Jagoda Valkov. These arrangements are inspired by the traditional music of Polish Polesie. The concert will be performed by Poleski Skład Smyczkowy and Polesie_PL.
In addition, the festival will offer performances by various groups, including the Estonian group Puuluup, the Sanok-based trio Wernyhora, Odpoczno, and the Romanian band Balkan Taksim. Dance enthusiasts will have the opportunity to dance to music played by bands like Hajda Banda / Гайда Банда, Janusz Prusinowski Trio + Guests, The Jagiellonian Fair Orchestra, Cmolaskie Chłopoki, and Kapela Batareja.
The festival programme will also feature engaging exhibitions, discussions, and film screenings. If you’re interested in folk art and crafts, you can meet the artists and purchase their products at The Jagiellonian Fair. To stay updated on the event’s programme, visit re:tradycja.eu.
Re:tradition – The Jagiellonian Fair Festival
18-20 August 2023
Lublin – Old Town, Błonia near the Castle
Admission free
More information: retradycja.eu
Organisers: Workshops of Culture in Lublin, The Cultural Institution of the City of Lublin, Lublin – The City of Inspiration
Honorary Patronage: Mayor of Lublin – Krzysztof Żuk, National Institute of Cultural Heritage
Co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
This year’s edition of Re:tradition – The Jagiellonian Fair Festival is one of the events of the European Youth Capital Lublin 2023 programme.
Sponsors: Tavex, Herbapol
Partners: Jula, Muzeum Narodowe w Lublinie, Ivan Honchar Museum, ÚĽUV, The Dominican Monastery in Lublin, Gardzienice Centre for Theatre Practices, Folk Artists’ Association (STL), Kultura Enter Foundation
Media patronage: Polskie Radio Dzieciom, Radiowe Centrum Kultury Ludowej, Radio Lublin, Presto, CzasDzieci.pl, muzykatradycyjna.pl, KulturaLudowa.pl, Kultura Enter, Onet
