On Wednesday, 22 July, the courtyard of the SOKÓŁ Małopolska Culture Centre filled with music from Georgia and Podhale, thanks to performances by ARGINETI and MAŁY HOP CUP. The audience enjoyed a unique show combined with a delightful display of dancing skill.

THE FESTIVAL OF THE CHILDREN OF THE MOUNTAINS is like a time capsule and a time machine all in one. In the time machine, we travel back centuries to see the results of the work of historians, ethnographers, ethnomusicologists, instructors, and the children themselves. They have all explored and continue to explore how their ancestors played, worked, and rested. A time capsule, as we know, serves to pass down the most precious things to the future. And that is exactly what happens. Electronic recordings, descriptions, and scripts are created from all the concerts… The more there are, the greater the chance that this vast wealth will remain for centuries to come.

On Tuesday, 21 July, young performers from the KOPANIČIARIK ensemble from Slovakia and MALI MAGURZANIE from Łodygowice took to the courtyard stage at the SOKÓŁ Małopolska Culture Centre. Their energetic performances brought much joy and introduced the audience to neighbouring highland traditions.

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.