The festival workshops, held alongside the 33rd edition of the FESTIVAL OF THE CHILDREN OF MOUNTAINS, are designed for the youngest residents of Nowy Sącz and the surrounding areas. From Monday to Friday during the festival week, we have prepared a fantastic range of activities, including not only arts and crafts but also sports and dance sessions for children aged 7 to 13. This year, we invite you to join us at the SOKÓŁ Małopolska Culture Centre building at 3 Długosza Street.
PLEASE NOTE: Suitable sportswear and footwear are strictly required for all sessions taking place in the Ballet Studio.
Registration: open from 6 July (12:00) to 15 limit (23:59), or until all places are filled, via the online form available under the workshop descriptions. Places are limited.
Registration: open from 6 July (12:00) to 15 limit (23:59), or until all places are filled, via the online form available under the workshop descriptions. Places are limited.
1. LITTLE ARCHAEOLOGIST
20 July /Monday/
13:00–14:30
15:00–16:30
Led by: Natalia LeszkoVenue: BWA SOKÓŁ Contemporary Art Gallery (Ground Floor)
In this workshop, you will trace the footsteps of the past under the watchful eye of an archaeologist. We will talk about how people lived in prehistoric times—what they ate and drank, where they lived, what kind of jewellery they wore, and what games children played. In short, you will discover what daily life was like in an ancient settlement. Of course, there will be plenty of hands-on crafting too, as you will create clay figurines and vessels inspired by real archaeological artefacts.
2. BECOME A CHEERLEADER
20 July /Monday/
13:00–14:30
15:00–16:30
Led by: Mirosław HaczekVenue: Sokół Małopolska Cultural Centre, Dance Studio (Level 5)
Although cheerleaders are mostly associated with supporting sports teams from the sidelines, cheerleading is actually a proper sporting discipline that combines elements of dance, gymnastics, and acrobatics. For brave girls who love active exercise, we offer a taste of this sport under the guidance of a professional dance instructor and sports cheerleading coach, who has led local teams to international success. PLEASE NOTE: You must bring suitable sportswear and exercise shoes to this class!
3. THE PRICKLY GUEST
21 July /Tuesday/
13:00–14:30
15:00–16:30
Led by: Kinga SzołdrowskaVenue: BWA SOKÓŁ Contemporary Art Gallery (Ground Floor)
This time, our workshop guest will be a charming resident of Polish woodlands—the HEDGEHOG, who is the mascot of this year’s CHILDREN OF THE MOUNTAINS Festival. This very helpful mammal is a strictly protected species. Hedgehogs feed on snails, earthworms, beetles, and spiders. And remember: hedgehogs do not eat apples! In this class, you will make your own prickly hedgehog out of... well, come along and see for yourselves!
4. TIME CAPSULE
21 July /Tuesday/
13:00–14:30
15:00–16:30
Led by: Ewa MatułaVenue: Sokół Małopolska Cultural Centre, Fireplace Room (Level -1)
During recent renovation work at the Nowy Sącz Town Hall, a time capsule was unearthed containing mementos of city life from 25 years ago. We invite you to create your very own time capsules! You will make decorative containers to store objects from the present day, preserving them for future generations. What is worth putting into a time capsule? Personal keepsakes like letters, photos, handwritten notes, everyday objects, coins, tickets, receipts, newspapers, old mobile phones, cinema programmes, or your favourite book... the ideas are entirely up to you!
5. AT THE FLORIST'S
22 July /Wednesday/13:00–14:30
15:00–16:30
Led by: Kinga Szołdrowska
Venue: BWA SOKÓŁ Contemporary Art Gallery (Ground Floor)
A florist’s is a shop filled with cut flowers, potted plants, ready-made arrangements, bouquets, and small decorative items. Working in such a place requires not only an eye for aesthetics and the artistic skill to combine plants and decorations, but also expert knowledge on how to care for them. If you share this passion, come to our session with a professional floristry teacher, who will show you how to create stunning decorations using paper egg cartons.
6. BIRDSONG MELODIES
22 July /Wednesday/
13:00–14:30
15:00–16:30
Led by: Monika Zielińska-KlimczakVenue: Sokół Małopolska Cultural Centre, Fireplace Room (Level -1)
Can clay sing? It certainly can! Not only can it sing, but it can also delight the eye with a vibrant array of colours—it all depends on human creativity. These handmade clay bird figurines, crafted by a traditional folk artist, are eagerly waiting for you. You will add to their charm by bringing them to life with colourful paints. In return, these little birds will sing for you when you fill them with water. Have fun playing!
7. STICK PUPPETS ARE AMONG US
23 July /Thursday/
13:00–14:30
15:00–16:30
Led by: Agnieszka PiechockaVenue: BWA SOKÓŁ Contemporary Art Gallery (Ground Floor)
Colourful yarn, haberdashery ribbons, fabrics, other craft materials, and—most importantly—specially prepared wooden sticks will form the foundation for making stick puppets. Your imagination will surely allow you to conjure up original characters that can become the stars of a puppet theatre. You can then set up a home theatre where, instead of live actors, the stage is taken by theatrical dolls moved by a puppeteer, who might be hidden or visible to the audience. The stage is waiting for you!
8. SUN CATCHER
23 July /Thursday/
13:00–14:30
15:00–16:30
Led by: Ewa MatułaVenue: Sokół Małopolska Cultural Centre, Fireplace Room (Level -1)
Did you know that old CDs and DVDs used for recording music, voices, and digital files can be given a second life as beautiful decorations? That is exactly what we will be doing in the "Sun Catcher" workshop! You will make yours using clean, unprinted discs that reflect light rays and shimmer beautifully. By combining them with other decorative materials, you will create a unique ornament ready to hang anywhere in your home, on the balcony, or in the garden.
9. AT THE PARISH FAIR
24 July / Friday /
13:00–14:30
15:00–16:30
Led by: Agnieszka PiechockaVenue: BWA SOKÓŁ Contemporary Art Gallery (Ground Floor)
A traditional parish fair (odpust) is a major community event that draws crowds of local residents. On these occasions, numerous stalls set up outside the church, filled with bright, colourful goods, mostly made of modern plastics. We are going to take you on a journey back in time to the traditional fairs of the past, where people bought gingerbread hearts, traditional fair sweets, wooden whistles, clay birds, rosaries, medals, and pictures of saints. The objects you create yourself during this workshop—using crepe paper, plasticine, cardboard, and other materials—will transport you into a world of old traditions.
10. CHODZONY OR POLONAISE?
24 July / Friday /
13:00–14:30
15:00–16:30
Led by: Monika BulińskaAccompaniment: Bogdan Matusik
Venue: Sokół Małopolska Cultural Centre, Dance Studio (Level 5)
What is the difference between a Polonaise (Polonez) and a Chodzony (the traditional Polish walking dance)? What do these dances have in common? Is the Polonaise older, or is it the Chodzony? If you want to find out the answers and feel like a true traditional dancer, join us in the SOKÓŁ dance studio. Moving to live music, you will learn the steps of both dances in a three-quarter time signature. Remember to bring your practice wear (suitable dance shoes; skirts for girls, shorts for boys).