Kaziuki-Wilniuki Feast again in Warmia and Mazury

It is hardly believed that almost half a century has passed so soon and today for the 24th time Vilnius artistic group goes to Poland. Our great and devoted friends from Lidzbark Warmiński for the 29th time organize Kaziuki feast to which we got five years later.

Next year we will be celebrating together with our fellow countrymen two jubilees: 30th anniversary of the first Kaziuki in Lidzbark and 25th anniversary of  joint Kaziuki-Wilniuki feast. This jubilee is particularly close to “Kurier Wileński” editorial staff which provides media sponsorship for the beautiful folk festival from the first departure of the Vilnius group to Lidzbark.

Jolanta Adamczyk, the manager of Lidzbark Cultural Centre, in the introduction to the book “Kaziuki-Wilniuki 25 lat” [“25 Years of Kaziuki-Wilniuki”] wrote: “Kaziuki-Wilniuki is the oldest feast containing the elements of culture, tradition, customs, rites, Vilnius dialect in Polish territories. It is the festival of Poles living in Vilnius Region and those who had found their place on earth in Vilnius Land after the war traumatic experiences.”

Here we might add that we, the Vilniuks [Polish inhabitants of the Vilnius Region—translator’s note], are going to this feast as if it was organized by close family that over all these years has been so open-hearted. Since we love them as well, each year we try to bring and show our best.

Krystyna Adamowicz—the same since the first trip—a manager of the group, informed that this year as well we have something to show: a dance group “Wilia” which consists of many young people. There will also appear a song and dance folklore group “Połuknianie” from Trocka Land and promising “Kapela Podwileńska” under the direction of a young musician from Nemenčinė, Rafał Jackiewicz.  Just how can we perform without our storytellers: Wincuk—Dominik Kuziniewicz and aunt Franukowa—Anna Adamowicz.

A true beauty and imagery of Vilnius Region are carried by our palm craftswomen—Danuta Wiszniewska and her daughter Agata Granicka, a certified artist [a palm is a decoration made, usually, of willow branches around the Easter time]. There will also appear Leokadia Szałkowska, who continues the family tradition. She is a daughter of one of the first post-war palm makers, Jadwiga Kunicka from Krawczuny. Her husband, Leon Szałkowski, a well-known photographer, will exhibit his views of Vilnius old town. It is really delightful that Michał Jankowski carries a new collection of wooden figurines and a famous Vilnius artist, Tadeusz Romanowski—expressive paintings with rich colour scheme. Tablecloths and embroideries made by a needle craftswomen, Wanda Sienkiewicz, are also valuable.

To make Kaziuki even more authentic, the Gryszkiewicz family will bake typical Vilnius gingerbread hearts constantly popular among the countrymen. And we will meet quite a lot of them since we are visiting not only Lidzbark, but also Olsztyn, Bartoszyce, Kętrzyn and Orneta.

Kaziuki feast tradition covered literally the entire Poland over the past two decades. However, they are the most popular in Warmia and Mazury.

Today, towards this region but in the opposite direction—Ełk, Mrągowo and Giżycko—set off another group under the direction of Apolonia Skakowska, president and director of Stanisław Moniuszko Centre of Polish Culture in Lithuania. The Vilnius Region will be represented by “Wesołe Wilno” band (directed by Edward Szczęsnowicz) and a vocal group “Marzenie” with Lena Grycewicz from Nowe Święciany at the forefront. From Pabradė comes a juvenile band “Gilmė,” established and lead by Agnė Rickevičenė.

Source: http://kurierwilenski.lt/2013/02/28/kaziuki-wilniuki-znowu-na-warmii-i-mazurach/

Tłumaczenie Hanna Hołub w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu. Translated by Hanna Hołub the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu.