Winter Concert of “Dąbrowiacy” – a tale about tradition, community, and winter rituals
On Saturday afternoon, the audience gathered in “Mrowisko” Student Culture Centre had the opportunity to be transferred into the unusual winter world of old rituals and traditions of southern Poland. During the “Winter Concert” of the Academic Dance Ensemble of the Silesian University of Technology “Dąbrowiacy,” dance, music and singing became a story about community, memory and culture passed down from generation to generation.
The program of the concert referred to the time from Christmas to “Zapusty” holidays – (Shrovetide) - a special period in the life of the old village. Winter, when farm work ceased, encouraged meetings, carolling, fun and carnival mischief. It was then that traditions, which today we recognize as the foundation of our cultural identity, were born.
The evening was opened by a Kraków suite with a Hobby Horse, prepared by a student group. For many dancers, it was a stage debut. In the colourful scenes, the viewers could also see carollers with mascaras and closets – characters carrying wishes of prosperity, well being and happiness. The Shrovetide customs, presence of mascarons, Turoń, stork or horse, and humorous carollers’ mischief showed the magical and symbolic dimension of the old rites.
A particularly lively part of the concert were dances and songs from the Rzeszów region also performed by a student group. The next instalment was the repertoire from the Beskid Śląski Mountains, presented by the members of the ensemble. On this occasion, one could learn how white carollers differed from black carollers, what the hosts most often gave the performers and why they allowed them to do various mischief and harks.
There was also no shortage of Silesian accents. Dances and songs from the area around Pszczyna reminded about the strong identity of the region, whose inhabitants for centuries cultivated their rituals, music, and customs – both in the countryside and in urban environments.
The culmination of the concert was the joint performance of the Christmas carol “God is Born,” and then the invitation of the audience to dance the Polonaise, which symbolically connected the performers and viewers in one dance community.
“The Winter Concert” was not only a presentation of folklore, but also a living story about the need to be together, about the joy of celebrating together and about traditions that, thanks to people, are still alive.
The Ensemble is already inviting to a spring concert – details will soon appear on their social media.
text: Barbara Lisiecka, photo: Maciej Mutwil
