If a wanderer were to cross Poland’s eastern border in the south, and then walk on westwards, he would get to know the beautiful culture, traditions and the entire heritage of the highlanders inhabiting the Carpathian Foothills. And he would eventually reach the western edge of this heritage. And he would rest in the hospitable Sącz Foothills, perhaps in Lipnica Wielka or another village in the Korzenna commune.
And the wanderer would not have to be in much luck to feast his eyes on a performance by MALI LIPNICZANIE Folk Ensemble during one of the many festivities or holidays. There’s but one condition though: the wanderer must arrive here no earlier than 2005, because it was then that the ensemble, led by Ms Maria Jaworecka, and based in Lipnica Wielka, was founded under the auspices of the Community Centre in Korzenna.
The little Sącz Foothillers have not been idle ever since. They have taken part in the Carpathian Festival of Children’s Folk Ensembles in Rabka-Zdrój five times, which is particularly important as three times their performances there have resulted in qualification for the Festival of the Children of Mountains. MALI LIPNICZANIE have also taken part in many other competitions and festivals. They have given concerts in the Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia. Their friendship with the Slovaks has given rise to one of the two albums recorded by the ensemble.
And if the wanderer followed MALI LIPNICZANIE to Nowy Sącz at the end of July this year, he would see them playing, dancing and singing while preparing a sheaf of corn for the Assumption, also known as the Day of Our Lady of Herbs, when “everything cries out to be taken to church”.
The little Sącz Foothillers have not been idle ever since. They have taken part in the Carpathian Festival of Children’s Folk Ensembles in Rabka-Zdrój five times, which is particularly important as three times their performances there have resulted in qualification for the Festival of the Children of Mountains. MALI LIPNICZANIE have also taken part in many other competitions and festivals. They have given concerts in the Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia. Their friendship with the Slovaks has given rise to one of the two albums recorded by the ensemble.
And if the wanderer followed MALI LIPNICZANIE to Nowy Sącz at the end of July this year, he would see them playing, dancing and singing while preparing a sheaf of corn for the Assumption, also known as the Day of Our Lady of Herbs, when “everything cries out to be taken to church”.