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June Festivals in Poland
Polish Festivals in June
Festivals in June
Poland has a calendar bursting with music, drama and culture festivals, so if you're looking for something to do in between watching some cracking games of football you won't have to travel far.
Jamiroquai, Moby and My Chemical Romance were the big acts at the 2011 'Orange Warsaw Festival'. The two day music-fest is held at the Legia Stadium and draws in around 50,000 people. It's been going since 2008 and organisers say it's getting better every year.
As well as watching big name bands there's loads of other things to do like getting festival make up or tattoos, creating jewellery or building and playing eco-instruments. The festival is held over a weekend in June. The line-up for 2012 hasn't been announced yet but it is rumoured Daft Punk Find will perform. Find out more at www.orangewarsawfestival.pl
In Krakow the great Dragon Parade is an annual event on the first or second Saturday in June. As its name suggests, a colourful parade of dragons operated by more than a thousand children from all over Poland head through the town's main square, accompanied by music and sound effects and flagged by street performers from stilt walkers to jugglers and dancers.
The Dragon Parade is followed by a light and sound show by the Vistula River. Lasers, smoke, fireworks and huge blown up dragons dancing on the water offer a breath-taking spectacle.
Midsummer's Eve is a big event in Poland. It was traditionally celebrated by virgins throwing wreathes into rivers to try and find their future husband, but now venues across the country put on events with a massive pop concert and firework display held in Krakow. Around 100,000 people head to the banks of the Wisla river near Wawel for the show, with well-known singers such as Lenny Kravitz having headlined in the past. The festival is normally held on June 23 rd or the nearest weekend.
Another big annual event in Krakow is the 'Festival of Jewish Culture', a ten day event of music, theatre, film and discussion held towards the end of June. It advertises itself as “the most old-school, radical, avant-garde festival of Jewish culture in the world” and sees people cram into Kasimierz's streets, squares and synagogues to celebrate the Jewish faith. In 2011 there were exhibitions, dance shows, guided tours and lectures. For more information go to www.jewishfestival.pl .
Kazimierz Dolny also plays host to the popular Festival of Folk Bands and Singers in late June when traditional musicians from all over Poland take to the outdoor stage in both market squares of the town. It's been going on for more than 30 years and offers fans authentic country vocal and instrumental music, accompanied by a unique folk fair.
Each July Kazimierz also sees the arrival of cinema lovers for the Summer Film Festival. For a whole week under two big tents, and in the evenings under open skies, you can watch films selected from the catalogues of numerous foreign and national festivals as well as presentations of independent artists.
Like crafts? Then you won't want to miss out on the Hetman's Fair in Zamosc on the second weekend in June. There's a massive craft fair with market stalls and live music. Or if you fancy a bit of open air theatre, Zamosc hosts 'Theatre Summer' a number of outside performances by drama groups from across Poland towards the end of June and into July. These are really popular and draw in big crowds.
The Malta Theatre Festival in Poznan is another outdoor event which celebrates Poland's outstanding modern drama. Malta Theatre Festival is held late May so you won't have to choose between the festivals.
Find out more at www.malta-festival.pl
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