Tonight in Krakow we celebrate Wianki (Wreaths) that is a cultural event taking place annually at the banks of Vistula river, just near to Wawel Castle Hill. The tradition of organising this cultural events at this spot during the summer solstice reaches back a long time. The festival was primarily a pagan religious event called Noc Kupały. After the adoption of Christianity by Poland, the tradition did not die, however, its context was changed: the nights name became Noc Świętojańska” that means St. Johns Night. Some elements of the original festival remained, such as telling fortunes, letting wreaths float on water, jumping over bonfires or burning herbs. e event was partly a dramatic show (which featured theatre plays) and a finale firework show. In the 1970s media patronage was unknown in Poland, but Gazeta Krakowska performed a form of it over the festival. Since 1992 the patronage of Wianki is taken over by the Kraków City Hall and the event is the largest annual cultural event, covering music and other performances, a competition for the most beautiful wreath, firework shows .
Posted on: Sat, 21 Jun 2014 16:18:29 +0000