From Thursday till Sunday Warsaw resonated with ethno-infused sounds - witnessing the 2026 edition of Polish Radio's annual Folk Festival "Nowa Tradycja" - the New Tradition.
It was the 27th installment of this prestigious event - considered Poland's top showcase of local ethno and roots music, but also allowing the artists to serve tradition with a modern twist. Eleven artistic entities battled for glory in the competition this year - and esteemed domestic and international world music stars, including some previous editions' laureates, performed as headliners to close each of the festival's four days.
The lineup of the festival competition this year varied from large ensembles to soloists. In the end, it was one of the latter who won the Grand Prix - awarded to instrumentalist Karolina Matuszkiewicz "for her virtuosity, spiritual depth, and independent thinking".
The artist performed an original program on the Płock fiddle and the Biłgoraj suka - two instruments deeply rooted in Polish tradition, yet rarely functioning as independent tools of artistic expression.
Third prize went to the band WCIAS, and second prize was shared by the bands Uczta and ZYEM. The Fryderyk Chopin Institute Award went to Uczta, and the National Institute of Music and Dance Award went to Braty, who also claimed the Polish Radio Channel Two Award.
The Golden Gusle award for best instrumentalist went to Mikołaj Zych of the band Piąty Żywioł, who also collectively won the Polish Radio Channel Four Award.
The special award in honor of Czesław Niemen was handed to another soloist, Paweł Płoskoń, who plays the hurdy-gurdy. Last but not least, the Polish Radio Channel One Award was scooped by the group Kasary, performing Belarusian men's songs.
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Source: PAP, IAR