Poland’s Śląsk folk ensemble turns 70

Poland’s Śląsk Song and Dance Ensemble gave a gala performance at Warsaw’s National Opera on Monday to mark its 70th anniversary.

Based in Koszęcin, in Poland's southern Silesia region, the Śląsk Song and Dance Ensemble was founded almost seven decades ago.

Photo: Przykuta, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Based in Koszęcin, in Poland's southern Silesia region, the Śląsk (Silesia) Song and Dance Ensemble was founded on July 1, 1953 by composer Stanisław Hadyna and choreographer Elwira Kamińska.

In a congratulatory letter, President Andrzej Duda wrote that the two created an ensemble that “showcases the richness of Silesian culture against the background of the folk heritage of other regions.”

Duda added that "the Śląsk Ensemble is nurturing patriotic ideas, while cultivating aesthetic values."

During the event, the Śląsk Ensemble received the Gold Gloria Artis Medal of Cultural Merit, and its director Zbigniew Cierniak was presented with the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Reborn Poland.

Minister @DeraAndrzej uczestniczył w gali 70–lecia Zespołu Pieśni i Tańca „Śląsk” im. Stanisława Hadyny.

„W imieniu pokoleń Polaków w kraju i za granicą dziękuję za 70 lat wzruszeń i uczucie narodowej dumy, którym napełniają nas Państwa występy. To dzięki Państwa wspólnym… pic.twitter.com/Yp5cVtQpIg

— Kancelaria Prezydenta (@prezydentpl) June 5, 2023

The Śląsk Ensemble has given more than 8,000 concerts in 44 countries.

Last year, it made a tour of the United States.

(mk/gs)