23 June – We have been waiting for this day for a long time.. We have opened the VIII International Festival of Youth Creativity FOLK INSPIRATIONS!
This day is special, because it is Midsummer Night and the traditions and rituals associated with this day have become the main motif of the program of the day.
We started in Łódź – at Manufaktura square and in Załęcze Wielkie in “Nadwarciański Gród”. There were handicrafts workshops for all willing participants and residents. The ladies looked wonderful in colourful and flowery wreaths that were made by themselves! In the evening there was a performance inspired by the customs of Midsummer Night. D-H Street Theatre from J. Tuwim Youth Centre had his fire show. In Nadwarciański Gród festival guests, including invited residents of Pątnów participated in the performance by the Warta river, which was prepared by Polish, Ukrainian, Belarusian and Russian dance and vocal groups. At the end- of course, the most important part- they threw wreaths onto the water. What does this rite mean? If the wreath was fished out by a beloved boy, it was a sign that they would marry soon. If the wreath sank, it meant bad luck. Perhaps someone was lucky yesterday?
