The 1st Hucul Festival!
A hundred years ago, Poland's artists and poets were head-over-heels for their country folk, and some of the most sparkling geniuses of the day married peasant girls. Needless to say, this in itself sparked plenty of lively debates in Cracow society, which was known for its rather gossipy tendencies.
Amongst the most glorified of all the rural communities was the Hucul Highlanders from the Carpathians. Artists trekked off into the mountains to paint (and often to court) these mysterious characters, and professors diligently recorded the folklore and music.
This weekend, the Hucul Highlanders are coming to Cracow for a one-off festival. It's set to be a colourful affair, and a perfect accompaniment to the advent of Holy Week.
Saturday
At 9.40 am there will be a ride through the Old Town to Wawel Castle with a band of the colourfully dressed Highlanders (The Huculi are the only highlanders in the world who traditionally ride on horseback). And between 12 & 3 there will be horse-riding for children and adults by the Castle.
At around lunchtime you can join the highly refined egg-painting custom at St. Vladimir's foundation at the foot of the castle (Kanonicza Street). Also planned is a display of sculptures by folk artist Jan Malik 1pm.
Rounding off the day is an exhibition opening at the other end of this picturesque street (6.30pm, ul. Kanonicza 1 ). The show spotlights the magical wooden architecture of the Hucul region. The Hucul stretch of the Carpathians lies in the Ukraine, and the people themselves are of Ruthenian descent. Their distinctive wooden churches are homes of the Greek Catholic (Uniate) faith.
Finally a number of concerts of Hucul music will let rip across town.
Sunday
Palm Sunday sees the continuation of the festival with a lively Easter celebration on Wolnica Square in Kazimierz (11am - 3pm). Hucul folk bands will be doing their stuff, whilst all kinds of Highland wares and folk art will be on sale. A special display of the famed 'pysanky' eggs will also be on view, and at 3pm, there will be a second easter egg painting session back at the foot of the Royal Castle (ul. Kanonicza 15).
Finishing with a bang, at 7pm there will be a concert at the Zaczek club, where revellers can folk it up, Hucul style.
** For more details of events, check the Cracow Life events calendar, or drop into the City Cultural Office just north of the Main Square at ul. sw. Jana 2.