Stanisław Hadyna's "Śląsk" Song and Dance Ensemble toured Belarus and Ukraine with a series of folk-inspired performances from the highlander region of Poland
The Koszęcin-based Śląsk Song and Dance Ensemble is one of the largest Polish folk ensembles. Founded in 1953 by Stanisław Hadyna, the group took its name from the Śląsk (Silesia) region. Following its gala concert at the Palace of the Republic in Minsk, the ensemble's choir, orchestra and ballet continued its "Tour Beyond the Bug River" project to Kiev.
The ensemble draws upon the folk traditions of Upper Silesia, Cieszyn Silesia, and the Beskidy mountains, yet it also expanded its repertoire in recent years to include music and dance from regions across the entire country. The Ensemble has performed more than 6,000 shows for over 20 million people worldwide - in the United States, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, the Netherlands, China, Mexico, and many other countries, as well as the Vatican.
The group has worked with notable Polish composers, such as Wojciech Kilar. Some popular songs performed by the group are "Szła dzieweczka", "Helokanie", "Ondraszek", "Głęboka studzienka", and "Karolinka".
For more information, see: www.zespolslask.pl
Date: 17th of October, 2011
Venue: Centre for Culture and Arts, Aviation University, Kiev
Organised by: Zespół Pieśni i Tańca "Śląsk" im. Stanisława Hadyny
Ukranian Partner: Żytomierski Obwodowy Związek Polaków na Ukrainie (Zhitomir District Association of Poles in Ukraine)
Project cofinanced by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland
Source: Adam Mickiewicz Institute