According to a centuries-old highlander tradition, over 1,500 sheep traveled a route of more than 20 kilometers through the streets of Szczawnica, a spa town in southern Poland near the Slovak border.
The animals were accompanied not only by tourists but also by shepherds, herders, and sheepdogs, as well as a highlander band that played folk melodies for the attendees.
Celebrating highland folk culture in Poland
The Szczawnica redyk is listed on Poland's National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
This largest event of its kind in the Podhale region takes place twice a year, with the next edition scheduled for spring when the sheep return to the pastures.
In autumn, the animals descend from the mountains, and their return route usually attracts significant interest from not only local residents but also tourists from around the world.
This year, many participants of this unique event waited several hours to witness the procession of the large flock of sheep firsthand.
Szczawnica celebrated the "redyk," a Polish autumn tradition in which highlanders solemnly march through villages with their flocks of sheep. This event showcases rich folk culture, with shepherds and a highlander band accompanying the animals, bringing age-old customs and music to life (G.Momot/PAP)
Source: IG/@TatryOfficial/X/@britishpoles
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