MYSTKOWIANIE (POLAND)
Zespół Regionalny Mystkowianie.
Mystkowianie is folklore ensemble from Mystków in Małopolska. It has been
established at the House of Culture in 1984 by Benedykt Poręba. Mystków has a very rich
and unique folk culture due to its geographic location. Mystków lies at a crossroads between
the four ethnographic groups: Górale, Krakowiacy, Lachy, and Pogórzanie, who influenced
the local culture. Mystkowianie are a member of IOV and CIOFF and have a certificate for
years 2019 – 2024.
The Ensemble cultivates the original and authentic folk dance traditions of Lachy
Sądeckie from Mystków, one of the most interesting and peculiar ethnic minorities in the
Beskidy region, rich in the melodies and group dances based on the rhythm of lyrical waltz,
as well as lively dances with the violin, double bass, clarinet and trumpet heard in the
background.
The dances, songs and costumes which come from Lachy Sądeckie region give a
picture of the beauty and variety of this region as well as an example of the authenticity and
richness of Sącz folk costumes. The reconstructed dances , songs and costumes illustrate the
changing fashions and trends within folk culture.
Mystkowianie presents the full spectacle programme which consists of songs and
dances of the Lachy Sądeckie region. Some of the traditional folk dances include: hola walc,
polka sumionka, polka z liściem, polka w lewo, mazurka. The Ensemble also presents the
stage adaptation of local rites such as Christmas Carolings, At the Market, St. Andrew’s Day,
At the inn and Music on Śmigurt.
The group has also performed its songs and dances in Poland, Mexico, France,
Germany, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Romania, Turkey, Italy, Slovakia, Ukraine and Hungary.
Some prize and mentions: Grand Prix of Nationwide Folk Dance Competition in
Rzeszów, Silver Żywiec’s Heart in Festival of Polish Highlanders Folklore, Award in
International Folklore Meetings in Wisła, Brown Ciupaga and Audience Award in The
International Festival of Highland Folklore in Zakopane, Grand Prix of V International MultiGenre online festival in Ukraine, 1
st place in the CIOFF Interculture Folk Festival „Zagłębie i
Sąsiedzi” in Dąbrowa Górnicza, The Main Prize of Sárvári Nemzetközi Folklórnapok in
Hungary, The Second Prize in the Grand Prix der Folklore in Ribnitz- Damgarten, The Second
Prize of International Folklore Festival “Faces of Tradition” in Zielona Góra, The Honorable
Mention (four times) in Festival of Polish Highlanders Folklore in Żywiec, Grand Prix of the
Festival of Sądecczyzna’s Folk Culture and The Third Prize in the Folk Festival of Malopolska
Region in Łużna. Mystkowianie represented Poland at the VI CIOFF World Folkloriada in Ufa
(Russia).
The group’s manager is Benedykt Poręba, Kamil Wiatr and choreograph is Patryk
Rutkowski