VLADISLAVIA Song and Dance Ensemble comes from a region with great mining traditions. Mines used to be the main source of livelihood for many generations of people living in Wodzisław Śląski and its environs, and so the ensemble’s repertoire includes many elements connected with this trade. Geographically, Wodzisław Śląski lies on Rybnik Plateau (which is a part of the Silesian Upland), on the Lesznica river, in the historical district of Upper Silesia. VLADISLAVIA was established by Wanda Bukowska in 1982. In 2014 Dominika Brzoza-Piprek became the ensemble leader and main choreographer. The ensemble numbers almost 120 members aged 3-63, who are amateurs but great folklore enthusiasts. The ensemble’s repertoire encompasses dances from many Polish regions, e.g. the Żywiec, Łowicz, Kurpie, Przeworsk, Wielkopolska districts and others. However, the Upper Silesian dances are the dearest to their hearts, and so for ten years now they have organized “Fedrowani w godce” [Diggin’ the gab] annual storytelling contest, the aim of which is to promote the local idiom, songs, dances and customs of their little motherland. The ensemble has participated in many foreign festivals. VLADISLAVIA has performed in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Italy, France, Turkey, Portugal, Serbia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Montenegro and Austria. They see as their greatest success the fact that in the town and its surroundings interest in folklore is growing, which is evidenced by auditoria filled to capacity, as well as ever more numerous forms of cooperation with educational establishments. In the recent years the educational concerts prepared by the ensemble have been watched by over 2,000 children, and local folk culture classes have been conducted in almost 20 kindergartens. At the Festival of the Children of Mountains the ensemble will present dances and games typical of the Silesian district. Dominika Brzoza-Piprek is the ensemble leader and choreographer.