Day of the Panamanians and the Lachs / Main Concert

The FESTIVAL OF THE CHILDREN OF THE MOUNTAINS is like coming home. When, after a long journey—or even more so, after years of wandering through the world when adulthood has pushed us beyond the threshold—we return, and straight away that one-of-a-kind, unmistakable scent hits us, warmth surrounds us, and above all, loving arms embrace us. The most beautiful children’s Festival is like a homecoming because it returns to times when toys were made of wood, and a simple stick or a rag ball was more than enough. The FESTIVAL OF THE CHILDREN OF THE MOUNTAINS is like a homecoming, especially this year when, through strange turns of fate, we return—if only for a moment?—to the hall by the Kamienica River. Well-known stands, a well-known stage. Indeed... the stage... The FESTIVAL OF THE CHILDREN OF THE MOUNTAINS is like a homecoming because sometimes, when we return, those who were once there are gone. The MOSiR stage irresistibly brings to mind the presence of Józek Broda. Józek, our good guide, we greet you from the heart!

Yet sometimes, when we return, we encounter a new presence. That new presence—though by no means for the first time—is Hanka Rybka and Patryk Rutkowski. They welcome us at the threshold of the Festival. They welcome us like a mother. For when we return, that welcome—that motherly welcome—is what we desire most. That welcome is what we will miss most one day... I know whereof I speak...

And special welcomes were extended to: Alessandra López López, Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of the Republic of Panama in Warsaw, together with her husband; Stanisław Kuzak, Mayor of the Chełmiec Commune; councillors of the Chełmiec Commune; Mariola Pękala-Piekarska, Director of the Communal Cultural Centre in Chełmiec; Rev. Tadeusz Wojciechowski, parish priest of the parish in Piątkowa; Agata Łukacz, Headteacher of the Primary School in Piątkowa; and, of course, our own "home team": Rev. Dr Stanisław Kowalik, Festival Chaplain, and the Artistic Board. Special respect was paid from the stage to Mr Andrzej Łukasik, leader of the PIĄTKOWIOKI ensemble.

Dense birch trees grew on the stage, enveloping a roadside shrine hallowed by time. And like a magnet, the shrine drew the children of Piątkowa, bringing them to their knees. With the singing of "Ave Maria...", they brought May devotions to a close. They ended so beautifully that the uncle (stryk) will play as a reward. But how many songs? Is four too many or too few? For a boy of his age, four is a great deal, but another knows: eight is more than four. So that everyone remembers how many four is, four girls begin the song and dance. Soon they are surrounded by a dozen or so more. Two little circles...

Since a siskin (czyżyk) is masculine in Polish, the boys ask, and the "siskin" shows how to sow poppy seeds, how the poppy grows, how to snap the poppy... and finally, how to eat the poppy. The band tries to snatch the accordionist away from the kids, but he promised a reward for the beautiful May devotions, so... he will rest now, and the Lach band plays kowol for the boys.

In the background—technology: LED screens make low-slung cottages nestle between the trees, their leaves swaying softly in the wind. A set design that—we feel it—is about to change, is truly alive.

One of the musicians got annoyed. He wanted the boys to dance with the girls and stirred up so much trouble at the start that a clash broke out, just like after the final whistle of the Argentina vs. Spain World Cup match in mercilessly kicked football. And since leading by example is the best lesson, the musician shows them how to dance z babą ("with a woman"). The young ones catch on instantly. And off they dance. Pair after pair. Song after song. Stomp after stomp. It is hard to believe they had only just overcome their reluctance to dance together.

Everyone is dressed as if for a meadow: linen trousers, shirts tied with cord, everyday skirts, and matching blouses.

"God be with you, children!" call out the musicians as they step off the stage.

The children remain with God and... ulijanka. Separated once more. The boys sit around or play with a rag ball. Perhaps the future of Polish handball is being born right here?

Conflict is the foundation of the performance, so a rope will settle whether the meadow belongs to the boys or the girls, though everyone knows the meadow belongs to the miller's wife. The girls seemingly win as the boys "hit the deck", but the boys find defeat just as hard to swallow as Argentina in that final match against Spain, so the girls leave the stage screaming. And the boys chase after them.

The village in the background vanishes. The name of the ACADEMIA DE DANZAS FOLKLÓRICAS FRANCISCO DE LEÓN ensemble appears. But before the members of this Panamanian ensemble claim the stage, Hanka and Patryk open the festival post. Near the entrance, there will be a parcel box for paper mail. And one more task: the symbol of this year's FESTIVAL is a hedgehog whose name... well, is currently unknown. A name needs to be invented, and the suggestion dropped into the festival "postbox".

Beautiful images of Panama fill the backdrop, though only for a moment, so as not to distract our attention from the stage. On stage stand two boys and a beautifully dressed girl. They certainly know how to dance together. And that gesture of taking off and putting on the hat, because a hand raised with a hat is easier to see from afar. The girl draws every eye with the fan of her skirt and flowers in her hair... the boys become her backdrop, ending on one knee in a moment of adoration of beauty, before one of them carries her off the stage.

And now a larger group appears—this time every boy has a girl, and every girl has a boy.

In the band, only the accordion provides the melodic line. The remaining instruments are pure rhythm: drums, scraper, rattles... and voices. The group entered with shouts and uses those shouts to power their movement.

The Lachs have the most beautiful costumes in the world. Hanka confirms Patryk’s claim, recalling how her mother used to point out the beautifully embroidered waistcoats and other elements of Lach attire during festivals—pieces of the Lach identity.

PIĄTKOWIOKI return to the stage, this time with the dance and vocal section of their programme. As if proving what their aunt and uncle were just talking about: the Lach costume is indeed magnificent.

Before the Panamanian ensemble returns to the stage, the hosts thank the sponsors and then teach a song:

Buddy, my friend, give me your hands,
so love and friendship may dwell with us.
Just like this, just like this, that's how we love mother,
Just like this, just like this, that's how we love mother.

To the tune of Czyżyk, which the children from Piątkowa reminded us of earlier today.

And once again, fans of skirts and hats from Panama...

To say goodbye to the ensemble that travelled over 10,000 km to reach us, a loud, thunderous, three-fold Spanish "¡Hola!" erupted from the audience.