Join us for the 18th annual Re:tradition – The Jagiellonian Fair Festival (August 23-25) in the heart of Lublin’s Old Town. Immerse yourself in the world of traditional music and crafts as you encounter master musicians, skilled artisans, and folk artists who passionately carry on age-old traditions. Explore the full event programme on our website.
Re:tradition – the Jagiellonian Fair Festival brings together past, present, and future, combining old traditions with new elements. As always, the programme will be packed with concerts, exhibitions, dances, and workshops. The craft section of the festival will showcase the work of 120 artisans, mainly from Central and Eastern Europe. There will also be plenty of activities for children and young people, including games in the Re:tradition Playground and various workshops. The detailed festival programme is available in the programme section.
The Re:tradition Concert
Lumpeks, a Polish-French ensemble, will fill your Friday evening (August 23rd, 7:30 PM) with their captivating blend of jazz and traditional dance music from central Poland. Following their critically acclaimed debut album, the band returns with a fresh repertoire titled “POLONEZ,” featuring melodies gathered directly from local musicians during their travels through the Polish countryside.
Lumpeks was founded by Warsaw-based French double bassist Sébastien Beliaha. He enlisted the talents of two renowned jazz improvisers, Pierre Borel (saxophone) and Louis Laurain (trumpet), along with the gifted vocalist and baraban player Olga Kozieł.
The band’s name aptly reflects the philosophy behind their music:
“It’s like going to a thrift store,” explains Olga Kozieł. “You search for hidden gems, transform them into your own unique style, and make them fit your personal taste. That’s how Lumpeks works too. We curate melodies from various musicians and archives that inspire us. We trim a bit here, add a bit there, and infuse our own flair into the music.”
For this special re:tradition concert, Lumpeks will join forces with other exceptional musicians who share their passion for traditional music and a fearless spirit of experimentation. The Lublin concert will feature violinist Maria Stępień, vocalist Ewa Grochowska, woodwind player Filip Majerowski, and percussionist Piotr Gwadera.
This extraordinary gathering will not only introduce our audience to Lumpeks’ innovative approach to traditional music but also provide an opportunity to experience a whirlwind of lively polka rhythms, virtuosic performances, and the rich sound of the expanded ensemble.
As of today, the festival programme is available on our website. As every year, the festival audience can expect an incredibly rich artistic programme full of diverse musical events. Six captivating concerts, including the re:tradition concert, will grace the festival stages. Seven electrifying bands will ignite the outdoor dance floor with their energetic rhythms. Beyond the music, attendees can explore engaging exhibitions, hands-on workshops, and delightful children’s activities. The Jagiellonian Fair, a vibrant marketplace showcasing the work of 120 talented folk artists and artisans, promises an unforgettable experience.
Get ready for an even richer musical experience at the Re:tradition Festival in Lublin! As we continue to expand the programme, we’re excited to remind you about other captivating artist gracing the stage: Katarina Barruk, a talented artist brings the magic of Sámi culture straight to Lublin! Weaving the local Sámi language and the hauntingly beautiful joiking technique into her music, Barruk creates a truly phenomenal soundscape. She adds another layer of wonder with musical improvisation, ensuring each performance is a unique and unforgettable experience Joining her on stage are Norwegian musicians Arnljot Nordvik and Vegard Bjerkan. Together, they’ll create a captivating blend of Sámi tradition and contemporary artistry. Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 24th at 7:30 PM at Błonia pod Zamkiem, the main Festival Stage. On the same day, at 8:30 PM, the same stage will reverberate with the electrifying sounds of Barrut, a captivating ensemble that weaves together a tapestry of voices in an energetic polyphony deeply rooted in the rich traditions of Occitania. The next day, on August 25 at 2:00 PM, we shall head to the Dominican Basilica for a concert by Drëszë , a band that keeps Kashubian traditions alive. In the evening, we will move to Błonia near the Castle for the performance of Duo Ruut, featuring Katariina Kivi and Ann-Lisett Rebane, at the same location. Their lyrics draw inspiration from traditional themes, echoing motifs found in old Estonian songs. Also gracing the festival stage that same evening will be the Polish group Duality, a Polish band that weaves a tapestry of sound inspired by the rich melodies and folk songs of the Polish-Belarusian borderland and broadly understood world and electronic music.
For those wishing to deepen their knowledge and acquire new skills, we have prepared craft, dance, and singing workshops. The workshops will be aimed at both children and adults. Registration for the workshops will open on August 12th.
The festival partners with the Kultura Enter Foundation to offer Thw Summer School of Tradition from August 22-25. This annual event provides a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in traditional culture and learn from renowned experts in the field. This year’s focus is on vocal traditions, with workshops exploring Kashubian, Roma, Silesian, Lemko songs as well as those from the re-emigrant communities of former Yugoslavia. To participate in the Summer School, registration is required. Details about the application process can be found in separate terms and conditions.
The festival is a family-friendly event, with plenty of activities for children. The Re:tradition Playground, located in Błonia near the Castle, offers a dedicated space for young visitors. Children can enjoy traditional toys, games, and interactive art installations. Daily workshops will introduce kids to the world of traditional music, dance, and singing.
Re:tradition – The Jagiellonian Fair Festival
23-25 August 2024
Lublin – Old Town, Błonia
Admission free
Organisers: Workshops of Culture in Lublin, Cultural Institution, Lublin City of Inspiration
Honorary Patronage: Mayor of Lublin – Krzysztof Żuk, National Heritage Institute
Co-financed by: Ministry of Culture and National Heritage
Sponsor: Herbapol – Lublin S.A.
Partners: The National Museum in Lublin, Ivan Honchar Museum, Opole Village Museum , “Gardzienice Centre” for Theatre Practices, The Dominican Monastery in Lublin, Folk Artists’ Association, Kultura Enter Foundation, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin
Media Patrons: Polish Radio Programme II, Polish Radio for Children, Radio Centre for Folk Culture, Gazeta Wyborcza, KulturaLudowa.pl, MuzykaTradycyjna.pl, Czas Dzieci, Kultura Enter, ONET
