20th International Folk Music Festival Mikołajki Folkowe

th20 International Folk Music Festival

Mikołajki Folkowe9-12 December 2010

Poland Lublin ACK UMCS Chatka Żaka

About the Festival

The festival consists of: more than 10 concerts on three stages including

a concert – competition for young and debuting artists “Open Stage”, film

presentations (feature films and documentaries on traditional culture),

meetings with writers and film directors, artistic workshops (playing

instruments, dancing, singing, handicraft), theatre performances,

presentations of projects, happenings, visual arts exhibitions, and a craft

fair. Every year the audience of about 2500 people and 150 performers

from the region, country and from abroad take part in the event.

“Mikołajki Folkowe” festival offers a possibility to get acquainted with

non-commercial music and cultural patterns different from those

of the mass culture. The festival aims to break down the barriers between

nations and ethnic groups, through familiarizing the listeners with cultural

differences and making them accept these. This is the reason for such

a variety of artists performing at the festival. Over 2000 artists from more

than 20 countries, including Ukraine, Byelorussia, Hungary, Lithuania,

Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, Latvia, Italy, Slovakia, Czech Republic,

Romania, Moldova, Pakistan, as well as representatives of Gypsies

and Jews, have performed on the festival stages so far.

The first folk music festival in Poland, organized every year since 1991,

and one of the biggest and most famous in our country. The festival takes

place on the second weekend of December (and lasts for 3-4 days)

in the Academic Culture Centre of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University

in Lublin.

The aim of the festival is to popularize broadly understood folklore, as well

as to present folk music in a form that is attractive to the young audience.

Artists working within this kind of music and using contemporary means

of expression, create unconstrained and unique interpretations of folk

sources. The result is original and modern music which preserves

the traditional values of folklore.




The educational aspect of the event plays an important role, too.

The “Open Stage” competition, an international contest for young artists

searching for inspiration in folk music and judged by a panel of experts,

has been organized since 1993. Many folk music groups, currently very

well-known, presented their music for the first time before a wider

audience on the stage of “Mikołajki Folkowe”. Moreover, artistic

workshops, attended both by audience and performers, provide a chance

to participate actively in the festival. The purpose of the workshops

is to show how the wealth of folklore may be used today.

The organizer of “Mikołajki Folkowe” is Maria Curie-Skłodowska

University in Lublin, and the initiator of the festival is St. Nicholas

Orchestra, an artistic organization of the Academic Culture Centre

“Chatka Żaka.”

Orkiestra św. Mikołaja (St. Nicholas Orchestra)

ACK UMCS “Chatka Żaka”

Radziszewskiego 16 Street, 20-031 Lublin, Poland

tel/fax: + 48 81 533 32 01, extension 114

Due to an interesting and diversified programme and the atmosphere

of a “folk feast,” “Mikołajki Folkowe” has gained an opinion of an important

cultural event, as well one of the most interesting and prestigious festivals

of this music in Poland. It has also won a large and dedicated audience

from all over the country and from abroad, and in some environments

it is even perceived as a cult event.

Contact

[email protected]

www.mikolajki.folk.pl




Friday, 10 December 2010

12.00 Festival Club (Small Stage)

15.00 Open Stage (Main Concert Hall), 5 PLN

16.00 Beads decoration workshop

led by Dariusz “Koralik” Gołębiewski (Small Stage)

18.00 Exhibition: Fetishes

18.30 Meeting: Magurycz – Stonemasons Group

(Small Stage)

18.30 Stage under the Stairs: Concert

of traditional village bands (Hall)

20.30 Concert “Folk po Bandzie” (Art Studio), 15/20 PLN

Banda Dzeta, Lithuania

Banda, Slovakia

23.00 Folk at Night (Art Studio), 10 PLN

Klezmaholics, Polan

Thursday, 9 December 2010

19.30 Concert (Main Concert Hall), 10 PLN

Czarne Motyle, Poland

20.00 Exhibition: Ludowadła (Black Foyer)

20.30 AD HOC Stage (Academic Culture Centre, Black Foyer)

Człowiek-Ziemia, Poland

Miatlica, Belarus/Poland

Saturday, 11 December 2010

11.00 Korovai baking workshop (Glass Room)

12.00 Festival Club (Small Stage)

Singing workshop led by OVO Group (Black Room)

14.00 Children band “Stars of Chechnya” (Art Studio)

15.00 Meeting: “The Suka. In search of the forgotten instrument”

– presentation and concert (Small Stage)

16.00 Lace making workshop

16.00 Film “You deserve to know”

– Economic Foundation Poland/East Africa

17.00 Performance: University in Teremiski

“Opowieści Teremiszczańskie” (Art Studio)

17.30 Stage under the Stairs:

Concert of traditional village bands (Hall)

19.00 Main Concert (Main Concert Hall), 30/35 PLN

Auļi, Latvia

Cimbaliband, Hungary

Orkiestra św. Mikołaja, Poland

01.00 Folk at Night (Art Studio), 10 PLN

Trei Parale, Romania

Sunday, 12 December 2010

st11.00 Breakfast (Hall 1 floor)

12.00 Festival Club

Pottery making workshop led by Piotr Skiba

Workshops for kids led by Dom Tańca

(The House of Dance from Warsaw)

18.00 Concert (Main Concert Hall), 15/20 PLN

“Lublin Region. Tradition - Inspiration – Composition”

directed by Rafał Rozmus. Artists: The Choir

of the Music Institute (Faculty of Arts,

Maria Curie-Skłodowska University) conducted

by Zofia Bernatowicz; Janina Chmiel, “Jarzębina”

Group from Kocudza and others, Poland

20.00 Concert: Hello Folks! (Art Studio), 10/15 PLN

Litvintroll, Belarus

Pipes and Pints, Czech Republic

Programme




Artists

With a modern touch about ancient sounds.

Love for ancient

Baltic culture and a creative approach of improvisation makes Auļi music intelligent, dynamic

and multinational. Bagpipes are more associated with places like Scotland and Ireland, however

also Latvians have played bagpipes since the 15th century. History tells that around 1760 it was

forbidden to play bagpipes because farmers preferred listening to them in pubs than going

to church.

Musicians themselves have named their music style “etnotrans” (ethnic trans) – implying

an inspirational and powerful energy and active dialogue with the surrounding. They ask themselves a paradoxically simple question: “Maybe we are the ones

that stand still and the world is galloping around us? “ Folklore is made by people – by us and also by Auļi.

AUĻI (Latvia) The Latvian bagpipe and drum music group Auļi was founded in 2003. Nine Latvian men (Kaspars

Bārbals, Andris Buls, Mikus Čavarts, Gatis Indrēvics, Kaspars Indrēvics, Māris Jēkabsons, Edgars Kārklis, Normunds Vaivads and Gatis Valters)

and an Estonian lady (Leanne Barbo) make the heart of the band and create unique sounds

by mixing ancient and modern elements. The word “Auļi” has two meanings, both describing their

music which is closely related with nature: sounds of galloping horses and bees.

Sounds of different kinds of drums add dynamism and energy to Auļi music and make

the listeners move and dance along. Their music suits well in the atmosphere of medieval

and folk-metal festivals, however it is also not wrong-placed among the CD collections of young

people.

Auļi mostly plays instrumental music. As a source for

inspiration, the group uses traditional bagpipe, dance and song melodies of Latvian and other European nations. The music reflects Auļi's creative approach

and the contemporary feel of traditional culture. Latvians have an exceptionally rich vocal tradition and a few of these songs, with some percussion pieces,

appear in the repertoire. In the group's performances you can hear the traditional Latvian bagpipe playing technique called 'elbowing', low-tension stump drums

(the biggest in the Baltics!) and various types of percussion instruments traditional to the Baltic region, with appearances by the ģīga (trough fiddle), jew's harp,

cymbals, and gongs. www.auli.lv

BANDA (Slovakia)

BANDA plays

acoustic instruments: dulcimer, acoustic guitar, mandolin, viola, violin, contrabass, accordion,

various kinds of drums and a lot of other percussions.

BANDA recorded in 2003 the first promo CD BANDA: The First

5 Pieces with their first five, originally arranged Slovak folk songs. In the field of authentic folk

music, the band has recorded two more CD albums under the old name Samko Smetana's Folk Band: The World of Folk Dances 1 (from Slovak regions Saris,

Spis, Zemplin) and The World of Folk Dances 2 (from Slovak regions Gemer-Malohont, Cierny Balog and Horehronie).

The most significant performances of the band include: e. g. the big joint

concert “Petržalka Days”, a concert in Banská Bystrica for app. 6,000 people, the successful concerts in Prague (Czech republic), great festivals: Bazant

Pohoda (Slovak republic), Lodenica Piestany (Slovak republic), Namest nad Oslavou (Czech Republic) Rudolstadt (Germany), London (England), Budapest

(Hungary) a series of concerts in Trondheim(Norway) and many other concerts. www.banda.sk

BANDA originated in 2003 and presents Slovak ethnic music in contemporary adaptation. The production of five musicians is based

on detailed knowledge of genuine authentic music, but at the same time other musical genres and other countries' folklore inspires them as well. Their live

performance is very dynamic, dramaturgically varied, and professional. The band handles

dominantly Slovak folk songs and melodies (but also Polish, Spanish, Moravian, Ruthenian,

Romanian, and authorial) into very creative and compelling arrangements.

BANDA features rich vocals, either

respecting the tradition and local specialties, or in a completely original shape. They alternate

between Slovak musical roots and their own, original style, often these sources joining together.

The band occasionally teams up with Zuzana Homolova, Slovak singer of folk ballads and the first

lady of Slovak folk, as well as with women singer band Trnky from Banska Bystrica, which

performs authentic vocal genres.

BANDA has performed in a number

of television and radio programmes and their songs are broadcast by several radios.







BANDA DZETA (Lithuania) . Banda Dzeta – a new and extraordinary

collective on the Lithuanian musical scene. The folklore of a multitude of peoples and countries,

arranged in a contemporary way, blends in their work. Playing from the deepest of their hearts, these

musicians already get pleasing feedback after their shows. And by now, Banda Dzeta has been

on the stages not only in Lithuania, but also in Poland, Ukraine. The music played by Banda Dzeta

is hard to categorize. The enormous brass section hints that Balkan music is predominant influence.

Syncopated rhythms, energetic and expressive bass guitar, high-pitched ukulele,

a powerful trumpets, trombones, tuba - Banda Dzeta will convince you that folk music is not just

the artefact of the past for an old museum. All that makes Banda Dzeta the trailblazers, straight from

Vilnius, in the development of Balkan / Klezmer / Gypsy music. www.bandadzeta.hardcore.lt

www.cimbaliband.hu

CZARNE MOTYLE (Poland)

www.czarnemotyle.prv.pl

KLEZMAHOLICS (Poland)

www.klezmaholics.pl

Minimal indie post-brass

CIMBALIBAND (Hungary) Cimbaliband is like a true Eastern European metropolis. Traces

of bygone eras, mixed with modern matter – It's in constant motion, swarming but it works.

It is a true multi-cultural cavalcade. Serbian accordionist, Hungarian fiddler, Croatian tambura-

player, Gypsy bassist, Swabian-Hungarian cimbalist. Members are from different types of music.

Hungarian folk music, classical music, jazz, folk music of the Balkans, south Slavic folk music,

rock'n'roll – different genres, even so there are two things binding the band together: friendship

and a magical Hungarian instrument, the cimbalom. It is not accidentally mentioned that Balázs

Unger is the Chuck Berry of cimbalom. With his rapid riffs and the variety of styles he directs his

band from behind the real Hungarian „mixing desk”. They are playing jam sessions during their

concerts with no limit in style but fed by deep roots. This is why so many people are fascinated

by their dynamic world music, even those who are not close to folk music. Their success,

their concerts and the media can only confirm this.

Musicians: Katarzyna Szurman - 3-rows button accordion; Agata Krawczyk - dulcimer, violin; Emilila Herda - drums, saw;

Katarzyna de Latour - 4-rows xylophone, violin, mandolin.

The band was founded in autumn 2006. In 2008, in the framework

of the Jewish Songbook project, the group recorded CD called “Greatest Hits”. Recording session

took place in the last analog studio in Poland – Rogalów Analogowy. Currently KLEZMAHOLICS

is working on the project Jazz Midrash which contains traditional Hebrew songs, Psalms,

and a number of newly written songs, based on the Hebrew Bible and Jewish Legends from

Talmud, in the form of a "midrashic dialogue" touching upon contemporary themes. Until now

the band has given concerts in Poland, Sweden and Romania. The group was awarded III prize

during The International Festival of Folk Music Mikołajki Folkowe in Lublin, in December 2009.




LITVINTROLL (Belarus)

A year was spent working

on songs, playing shows and searching for kindred spirits. The musicians brought into the band

as a result shared both an attraction to rock and roll and reverence for the traditions of their

people, as well as the desire to intertwine the plangent, powerful sound of the medieval bagpipes,

which had filled the hearts of our ancestors with the fire of fearlessness, with the roar of electric

guitars, and the belief that from time immemorial, our Earth has been home to the trolls who have

skilfully hidden from human eyes, yet have never taken theirs off us.

www.litvintroll.com

www.pipesandpints.cz

Litvintroll began in 2005 with vocalist and bagpiper Andrei Apanovich and drummer Sjarhei Tapcheusky who at the time were

– and still are – members of Stary Olsa. Zmicer Sasnousky joined in as the manager. Their vision of playing driving medieval music was shared by another

bagpiper and a percussionist. The lineup lasted for a year, appearing at numerous shows

and medieval culture festivals. However, their unspent energies still required an outlet, which

finally led to changes in the band's style, lineup and philosophy.

Soon after release

of the album the band has had heavy losses: to serve in army the drummer has left,

and the guitarist has moved to Ukraine. The vacant place behind drums was occupied with

Aliaxey Jafremenka , and Pavel Alenchyk undertook a guitar. In such line-up Litvintroll has played some gigs in Belarus, Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania.

At the end of the 2009 year Mikola Sharangovich has released from duty drummer Alex Jafremenka and Andrei Garchakou replaced Dzianis Vjachersky

at the keyboards. Now trolls work over a new material.

PIPES AND PINTS (Czech Republic) Pipes And Pints were formed in 2006 by Vojta Kalina (Highland Bagpipes/Vocals)

with a dream of a band that combines punk rock with dirty folk music such as The Pogues. Soon after, he met Tomas Novotny (Guitar/Vocals, ex-Who ate my

Skate) who shared the same dream, flavored by country and rock and roll. The band released

a demo and toured Central Europe (Germany, Austria, Czech Rep., Slovakia) both

as a headlining band and in support of The Porters, Society Parasites, and others throughout

2007 and 2008. However, the vision of the future for Pipes And Pints was not shared by all

of the original members and a line-up change resulted in the addition of Lukas Vincour

(Drums/Vocals, ex-Punkhart and more), who moved to Prague from Moravia; Syco Mike (Lead

Vocals, ex-Mugshot76), who cancelled his return from Austria back to native California

and moved to Prague with only his dog Tequila; and eventually Ondra Balvin (Bass/Vocals, Super

Pilot, ex-ElPaso), a good friend from the streets, squats, and clubs of Prague.

In November 2009, Pipes and Pints

are releasing their debut, full-length album entitled “Until We Die“ with the cooperation of Wolverine Records for Europe and Unrepentant Records for North

and South America. Pipes And Pints are devoting the rest of this year and next to what they love the most - live shows. With plans to support the album with

as many gigs and tours as possible, Pipes and Pints are looking forward to seeing you “until they die“.

Punk Rock with Highland Bagpipes.

In December 2008,

after only a month of rehearsing, the new Pipes And Pints line-up (without Ondra on bass yet)

recorded a 5-track EP which immediately became a promise of better days and the beginning

of a new adventure. This EP release was well received and the boys didn't hesitate to hit the road with it. It was during that tour Pipes And Pints added new bass

player Ondra and proved to everyone they were serious about their music as evidenced by their relentless and voracious playing at European clubs

and festivals. After less than a year the band got a reputation as true believers who give it all they have and you could see them with bands like The Porters,

Church of Confidence, Born To Lose, Deadline, Hudson Falcons, Al And The Black Cats and more, or as a headlining band.




ST. NICHOLAS ORCHESTRA (Poland)

The most distinguishing features of our music are: complexity, dynamism, “white” vocal and acoustic

sound. We do not imitate anyone but always set ambitious musical goals for ourselves. On stage

there are seven musicians and more than twice as many instruments. We are meticulous about

consonance and enjoy playing with riffs and various shades of sounds, not avoiding references

to rock and jazz. We are keen on trance and progressive arrangements which captivate

the listener.

We have

recorded 12 albums. We have played over 1000 concerts in 16 countries of Europe and Asia, the most important are: EBU Festival in Rudolstadt in Germany,

Sfinks Festival in Belgium, Sheshory Festival in Ukraine and Rain Forest Festival in Malaysia. www.mikolaje.lublin.pl

The Saint Nicholas Orchestra is said to have “invented folk music in Poland”. The group came into existence in 1988

when traditional Polish music was despised and neglected.

Nevertheless, we do not aim to modernise the folk source, but rather to create

its continuation on the basis of both the contemporary world as well as our knowledge

and sensitivity to tradition developed while exploring the folk culture. It is our own tale of the world

that has faded away but is still extremely significant. Our goal is to harmonise modern influences

on our music with traditional ways of playing and singing into one communicative and vigorous

whole. For us the greatest value of folk music is its spirit which we want to discover together with

our audience. We play acoustic and try to preserve the liveliness of the original in our

arrangements and performance. This is why foreign listeners sometimes understand our music as a quite genuine continuation of living folk tradition.

Trei Parale (“Threepenny”) is a group of young urbanites drawn by the old music specific to the Carpathian region, who perform

traditional music of both the Romanians and other ethnic groups that live in the area (Jews, Hungarians, Gypsies). The person in charge of the band's concept

is Florin Iordan (pipes, kobsa), an ethnomusicologist at the Romanian Peasant Museum with

a deep knowledge of Romanian traditional music, gained during many episodes of field research

across the country. Daniel Pop (vocals, pipes, percussion, Jew's harp) is a musician with a rich

experience in old music. The other two members of the band are Beatrice Iordan (vocals, kobsa)

and Dinu Petrescu (percussion).

In the reconstruction of this musical world, the members of Trei Parale relied chiefly on transcriptions made

in the 19th century by Anton Pann, a psalmist and theorist of Byzantine music, published in a few volumes entitled The Hospital of Love. This was complemented

by trips to the countryside for research among old musicians, the study of old field recordings made by Constantin Brailoiu, and by rummaging through various

musical folklore collections. The band's undertaking is not a strict, accurate, or orthodox one – it would be impossible as they are at the beginning, still exploring

and experimenting. The band gave concerts at the medieval,

old music, theater and open air festivals in Romania and also on Romanian events abroad (Brussels, Budapest). They also performed at art exhibition openings

and in Bucharest clubs, and their music is played on radio and TV stations.

TREI PARALE (Romania)

The first project on which Trei Parale embarked was entitled

Bazar, an incursion into the world of inns and taverns, small towns and city slums of 19th-century

Walachia and Moldavia – a complex period, when previously strong Oriental influences began

to lose ground to the Western wave that was to take over all cultural areas. Old and new models

(whether from Istanbul or Paris) aside, the world of Romanian towns was a motley one in which

large Gypsy or Jewish neighborhoods stood next to the Romanian ones and to smaller Greek,

Armenian, Italian, etc. communities. This mixed cultural world is reflected in the substantial,

savory musical repertoire of the period.

Some of the music in this project was recorded and released on their first CD, also entitled Bazar.

www.treiparale.ro

20th International Folk Music Festival Mikołajki Folkowe

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