Press conference on the 33rd edition of the FESTIVAL OF THE CHILDREN OF MOUNTAINS

On 9 July, a press conference was held at the SOKÓŁ Małopolska Cultural Centre to announce the 33rd edition of the International Festival of Children’s Folk Ensembles FESTIVAL OF THE CHILDREN OF THE MOUNTAINS, which will take place from 19 to 25 July 2026 in Nowy Sącz.

Here is the translation into British English, sticking strictly to the official terminology and style from the festival programme (including regional names, formatting rules, and official titles):

The meeting was attended by Andrzej Zarych – Director of the SOKÓŁ Małopolska Cultural Centre, Piotr Gąsienica – Deputy Director of the SOKÓŁ Małopolska Cultural Centre, as well as invited guests, including Iwona Gibas – Member of the Board of the Małopolska Voivodeship, Monika Gubała – Director of the Department of Culture and National Heritage of the Marshal's Office of the Małopolska Voivodeship, Tadeusz Zaremba – Starost of Nowy Sącz, Artur Bochenek – Deputy Mayor of the City of Nowy Sącz, and Patryk Rutkowski – Director of the festival concerts.

The main focus of the meeting was to discuss the event's programme, which includes several changes this year. The traditional opening is scheduled for Sunday, 19 July. At 10:30 am, a Festival Mass will be celebrated at the St. Margaret Basilica, after which participants will proceed to the Nowy Sącz Town Hall, where the official meet-and-greet with the ensembles by the town authorities will take place.

In the evening, residents of Nowy Sącz and tourists will be able to admire a spectacular, colourful parade. The procession will depart at 6:00 pm from Stara Sandecja Common and route via Aleje Wolności, followed by Mickiewicza, Długosza, Kościuszki, and Jagiellońska (pedestrian zone) streets to the Old Market Square, where the inaugural concert will take place.

Weekdays will take the form of National Days, dedicated to specific buddy pairs. The ensembles will present short artistic programmes at 11:00 am in the MCK SOKÓŁ Yard (or inside the building in case of bad weather), whilst the main evening concerts are scheduled for 6:00 pm at the MOSiR Multi-Purpose Hall at 34 Nadbrzeżna Street. The schedule is as follows:

Monday: DAY OF THE PANAMANIANS AND THE LACHS

Tuesday: DAY OF THE SLOVAKS AND THE ŻYWIEC HIGHLANDERS

Wednesday: DAY OF THE GEORGIANS AND THE PODHALE HIGHLANDERS

Thursday: DAY OF THE CROATS AND THE SPIŠ HIGHLANDERS

Friday: DAY OF THE MEXICANS AND THE ORAVA HIGHLANDERS

On Saturday at 6:00 pm, the grand final concert will take place in the Old Market Square. It will be a remarkable culmination of the week, during which the audience will see a joint artistic programme by all groups, uniting diverse traditions, music, and culture.

During the conference, Iwona Gibas expressed great joy at being able to attend the meeting, emphasising that despite venue changes, the heart of the event firmly beats in Nowy Sącz: “The festival is a very good direction for building the cultural identity of regions, as well as fostering children's sensitivity to other cultures and traditions. I am delighted that such diverse ethnographic groups are taking part in the event. It is worth continuing to nurture what is most beautiful—the traditions of our ancestors—something we can truly be proud of.”

Speaking on behalf of the partners, Tadeusz Zaremba, Starost of Nowy Sącz, spoke first, expressing gratitude for the ongoing cooperation in delivering the project. As he summarised: “Alone you go faster, but together you go further.”

The international standing of the event provides excellent promotion for the entire region and the host town. Deputy Mayor of Nowy Sącz, Artur Bochenek, added: “The fact that the festival takes place in Nowy Sącz is an honour and a source of pride. I am certain that for all the children, taking part is a adventure of a lifetime that will remain in their hearts for a long time.”

Piotr Gąsienica then presented the range of attendant events for the 33rd edition of the FESTIVAL OF THE CHILDREN OF THE MOUNTAINS. Ten free thematic workshops await the youngest participants at the MCK SOKÓŁ building (online registration available at swietodziecigor.pl). Starting today, visitors can also view the exhibition “Wspaniałe druty II” by Slovak artist Jana Frajkorová, presenting unique, three-dimensional wire forms created as an original interpretation of bobbin lace.

The “World Music” concert promises to be exceptionally exciting (24 July, 8:30 pm, MCK SOKÓŁ Yard), where bands from all the ensembles will play together, featuring the Lemko band SERENCZA as a special guest.

Although the main events take place in Nowy Sącz, festival excitement will also be spread across the region. Open-air stages will be set up in five partner towns: Krynica-Zdrój, Ludźmierz, Limanowa, Piwniczna-Zdrój, and Szczawnica.

As concert director Patryk Rutkowski fittingly summarised, this event educates not only children but adults as well—all in a spirit of joy, friendship, and against all divisions.

The meeting concluded with expressions of gratitude from the ensemble leaders. Among them were remarks from both experienced hosts—the PIĄTKOWIOKI ensemble from Piątkowa (marking their fifth appearance at the Festival)—and complete debutants, the HOP CUP group from Zakopane.

Throughout the conference, the immense support and goodwill shown towards delivering the entire undertaking were repeatedly highlighted, coming from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, the Marshal's Office of the Małopolska Voivodeship, the Nowy Sącz Starosty, the City Office of Nowy Sącz, as well as regional partners, sponsors, and media patrons.

The full programme of the event is available on the swietodziecigor.pl website.

Tickets for the concerts are now available online and at the MCK SOKÓŁ box office.