Their purchase has been financed by the local self-government and the city’s Philharmonic.
The governor of Małopolska province, Łukasz Smółka, thanked the trumpeters during the presentation ceremony for upholding the centuries-old tradition, stressing that the Kraków bugle call is known throughout the world and attracts tourists from far and wide.
He added that 2027 will mark 100 years since Polish Radio started broadcasting the call, which has been aired at noon ever since, with the exception of World War II.
Known as hejnał, the bugle call is played every hour on the hour in four directions, to the south – for the king and the royal Wawel Castle, to the west – for the city mayor, to the east – for the fire brigade commander, and to the north – for the guests arriving to the town.
Having tested the new instruments, the trumpeters were delighted with their sound.
The seven-strong team of trumpeters are traditionally picked from the local fire brigade. For some of them, it is a long-cherished family tradition, with members of the Kołton family for instance serving as Kraków buglers for eight decades.
There are two trumpeters during a 24-hour shift. To get to the top of the 54-metre high tower, they have to climb 239 stairs.
Prominent historian Norman Davies wrote in his major study Europe, A History: “The hejnał consists of a simple melody of open chords, which is always cut short in the middle of the final cadence. It commemorates the trumpeter who, whilst raising the alarm in 1241, or perhaps in 1259, was shot through the throat by a Mongol arrow. His call, though interrupted, enabled the burghers to flee. The survivors undertook to endow a town trumpeter in perpetuity. The ritual has been maintained for over 700 years.”
(mk)