The "Strength of the Roots" series launched at the 52nd International Festival of Highland Folklore is a presentation of exceptional projects prepared by talented people from Podhale and their wonderful work. People who especially care for the intangible and material cultural heritage of the Tatra region and its passing on to future generations. This year's hero is Jakub Hubicki - a young artist, a native of Poronin, who, together with his friends - the band Vechi Acum, will present the concert, "Sen Maricki". It is a depiction of the story of a young girl getting married to a man she does not love and who has been chosen by her family. The dynamics of the songs is related to the tension that increases with the heroine's new experiences, revealing to the audience a whole range of experiences and sensations. The concert program will include traditional songs from the south of Poland, Ukraine, Slovakia, Macedonia, Serbia and Romania, performed in original arrangements. This year's concert will also be attended by authentic regional groups - participants of the Festival, who will present their original dances and songs related to the topic.
The concert will also be the premiere of the first album of the Vechi Acum band entitled, "Sen Maricki."
VECHI ACUM - Where the old ends and the new begins.
The band VECHI ACUM is a sextet consisting of people from various ethnic regions of Poland (Spisz, Podhale, Żywiecczyzna, and Tarnów). The music composed and processed by Dominik Pietraszek is a combination of traditional aesthetics, which are the foundation of the musicians' sensitivity, with an intellectual superstructure - the jazz concept of looking at the pieces. The band has been operating since 2018 and has so far achieved the following achievements:
- concert tour in the USA (2019)
- concert as part of one of the largest Polish festivals in Australia (2020)
- realization of the first music video "Hej Szalał, Szalała" promoting the project "Sen Maricki" (2020)
- several times participation in the music broadcast of the American radio WORTH EIGHTY NINE.NINE (2021)
- Participation in the Festival of Christmas Carols, Pastorales and Christmas Songs in Zakopane (2021)
The STRENGTH of the ROOTS award was inspired by a protected tree that can grow in extremely unfavourable conditions. This tree is limba (Pinus cembra L.), an evergreen conifer that grows in the mountains of Central Europe, and in Poland it grows only in the Tatra Mountains. Its roots, strengthening the ground, reach the deepest crevices, drawing vital forces from the ground and from between the rocks. It climbs among rocky slopes, connecting the earth with the sky. The limba grows and grows stronger by taking advantage of the light and life-giving juices. Despite the harsh climate, it becomes more and more powerful, it can resist mountain strong winds and can withstand extreme frosts. Its soaring silhouette awakens the desire to reach higher and higher. The longevity of the limba allows other generations of people to associate with it.
The award is granted in two categories:
• For people who have achieved outstanding achievements in spreading culture, for their special care for the intangible and material cultural heritage of the Tatra region, passed on to future generations
• For people who have achieved achievements in spreading culture, for their special care
for the intangible and material cultural heritage of the Tatra region, starting the artistic path.
