The three-day event, held from August 8 to 10, brought together performers from Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine, many of them members of Polish minority communities in those countries.
Their performances showcased the traditions of the Kresy—Poland’s historic eastern territories lost after World War II—and underscored the resilience of Polish language and customs despite decades of political upheaval.
Throughout the event, streets and stages echoed with melodies from Vilnius courtyards, Lviv cafés and rural Belarusian villages.
Folk ensembles, parish choirs and community bands performed for audiences that included both descendants of Kresy families and younger generations discovering their heritage.
A gala concert in the open-air theatre on Lake Czos brought together performers young and old, and the festival also included a religious service dedicated to Poles from the borderlands—a moment of remembrance as well as celebration.
Organizers said the festival is more than a folklore showcase; it serves as a bridge between Poles at home and abroad, keeping alive the memory and spirit of the Kresy through shared music, dance and storytelling.
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Source: polskieradio.pl