Polish Highlanders’ Day
Four Regions. One Highland Spirit. One Stage. During Polish Highlanders’ Day, ensembles representing different mountain regions of Poland will come together to showcase the richness and diversity of Highland culture. On the festival stage, visitors will hear the melodies of Rocky Podhale, Beskid Śląski, Orawa, and Spisz, accompanied by traditional dances, songs, music, and stories deeply rooted in local heritage.
🎻 Regional Ensemble “Istebna”
This year, Istebna celebrates a remarkable milestone: 125 years of continuous activity. Its roots date back to 1901, making it one of the oldest continuously operating regional ensembles in Poland.
For more than a century, the ensemble has represented Polish folklore on stages around the world, performing throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. Their international appearances have included performances in India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, China, and the United Arab Emirates.
🎶 Regional Ensemble “OwCoK” from Jabłonka
Established in 2019 at the Orawa Cultural Centre, OwCoK brings together adult enthusiasts of Orawa folklore. Through dance, singing, traditional music, and folk theatre performances, the ensemble preserves and promotes the rich cultural heritage of the Orawa region.
Despite its relatively short history, the group has already earned numerous prestigious awards, including:
Grand Prix of the “Zagłębie i Sąsiedzi” Festival
Grand Prix of “Góralskie Dziedziny”
Grand Prix of the National Folk Dance Competition in Rzeszów
Grand Prix of the 13th Orawa Theatre Gatherings in 2026
💚 Regional Ensemble “Zielony Jawor” from Krempachy
Founded in 1989, Zielony Jawor represents the rich cultural heritage of Spisz. Its repertoire includes traditional Spisz dances as well as Slovak and Hungarian folk dances.
The ensemble is truly multigenerational, consisting of two children's groups, a youth group, an adult group, and a folk band. Together, it brings together more than 100 members.
Over the years, the ensemble has won numerous awards at festivals and competitions in Poland and abroad, including events in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania, and Hungary.
🏔️ Highland Ensemble “Budorze” from Zakopane
The Budorze Highland Ensemble, operating at the Dr. Władysław Matlakowski School of Construction in Zakopane, traces its history back to 1947 and was officially established in 1969.
Its name reflects the school's profile, as the Podhale dialect word “budorz” refers to a craftsman specializing in the construction of traditional wooden houses.
For more than fifty years, Budorze has represented Podhale both in Poland and internationally. The ensemble has received numerous distinctions, including the Golden Ciupaga and the Special Ciupaga Award at the International Festival of Highland Folklore.
In May 2026, Budorze was awarded the honorary distinction “Meritorious for Polish Culture” by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
As hosts of Polish Highlanders’ Day, Budorze and the guest ensembles will demonstrate just how diverse, colorful, and vibrant the culture of Poland’s mountain regions remains today.
✨ Four ensembles. Four regions. Four unique stories. One Highland tale.
📅 August 21 | 5:00 PM
📍 Festival Village, Dolna Rówień Krupowa, Zakopane
Come and see, hear, and experience the richness of Poland’s mountain culture! ❤️
🎻 Regional Ensemble “Istebna”
This year, Istebna celebrates a remarkable milestone: 125 years of continuous activity. Its roots date back to 1901, making it one of the oldest continuously operating regional ensembles in Poland.
For more than a century, the ensemble has represented Polish folklore on stages around the world, performing throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. Their international appearances have included performances in India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, China, and the United Arab Emirates.
🎶 Regional Ensemble “OwCoK” from Jabłonka
Established in 2019 at the Orawa Cultural Centre, OwCoK brings together adult enthusiasts of Orawa folklore. Through dance, singing, traditional music, and folk theatre performances, the ensemble preserves and promotes the rich cultural heritage of the Orawa region.
Despite its relatively short history, the group has already earned numerous prestigious awards, including:
Grand Prix of the “Zagłębie i Sąsiedzi” Festival
Grand Prix of “Góralskie Dziedziny”
Grand Prix of the National Folk Dance Competition in Rzeszów
Grand Prix of the 13th Orawa Theatre Gatherings in 2026
💚 Regional Ensemble “Zielony Jawor” from Krempachy
Founded in 1989, Zielony Jawor represents the rich cultural heritage of Spisz. Its repertoire includes traditional Spisz dances as well as Slovak and Hungarian folk dances.
The ensemble is truly multigenerational, consisting of two children's groups, a youth group, an adult group, and a folk band. Together, it brings together more than 100 members.
Over the years, the ensemble has won numerous awards at festivals and competitions in Poland and abroad, including events in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania, and Hungary.
🏔️ Highland Ensemble “Budorze” from Zakopane
The Budorze Highland Ensemble, operating at the Dr. Władysław Matlakowski School of Construction in Zakopane, traces its history back to 1947 and was officially established in 1969.
Its name reflects the school's profile, as the Podhale dialect word “budorz” refers to a craftsman specializing in the construction of traditional wooden houses.
For more than fifty years, Budorze has represented Podhale both in Poland and internationally. The ensemble has received numerous distinctions, including the Golden Ciupaga and the Special Ciupaga Award at the International Festival of Highland Folklore.
In May 2026, Budorze was awarded the honorary distinction “Meritorious for Polish Culture” by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
As hosts of Polish Highlanders’ Day, Budorze and the guest ensembles will demonstrate just how diverse, colorful, and vibrant the culture of Poland’s mountain regions remains today.
✨ Four ensembles. Four regions. Four unique stories. One Highland tale.
📅 August 21 | 5:00 PM
📍 Festival Village, Dolna Rówień Krupowa, Zakopane
Come and see, hear, and experience the richness of Poland’s mountain culture! ❤️