The Giewont Parish Regional Ensemble was founded on August 1, 1981. The founder and director of the group was Father Jan Kowalik CM, the parish priest at Olcza in Zakopane, currently the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. The first artistic director and instructor of the ensemble was Franciszek Bachleda - Księdzularz. Currently, it is led by Tomasz Galica, Maria Kukuc - Frączysta and Katarzyna Stachoń - Groblowy. As the ensemble was founded and operated under the auspices of a parish run by missionary priests, a significant part of its concerts takes place in the priests’ places of activity, which distinguishes it from other ensembles. It also enriches parish celebrations with its music and singing. It has performed at home and abroad in France, Austria, Germany, Norway, Italy, Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, Hungary and Slovakia. On 19 June 1985 the ensemble had the honour of performing for the Holy Father John Paul II at the Vatican and then participating in a private audience. 31 years
after this event, the ensemble performed again in St Peter’s Square playing for the Holy Father Francis.
Over the years the group has participated in many festivals and competitions, including the International Festival of the Highland Folklore in Zakopane, Sabałowe Bajania and Karnawał Góralski (Highland Carnival) in Bukowina Tatrzańska, the International Children’s Folklore Festival in Sofia (Bulgaria), the International Folklore Festival in Izmir - Foça (Turkey), the International Folklore and Music Festival “Paralia Summer Festival” (Greece), Folklore jaialdia - URRETXU (Spain). Giewont has repeatedly hosted the International Festival in Zakopane. It has also participated in numerous television recordings and commercial spots promoting the Zakopane and Podhale region. The group has won numerous awards for highland dancing and singing. In 2017 it won a silver ciupaga (“axe”) in the category of authentic ensembles at the 49th International Festival in Zakopane and in 2024 during the 55th International Festival in Zakopane the ensemble won a bronze ciupaga and the Prof. Roman Reinfuss award in the form of the Żelazny Kohut statuette (“Iron Rooster Statuette”). That same year at the International Competition of Folk Bands, Instrumentalists and Singers: in the category of Folk Instrumental Ensembles (bands), the Giewont ensemble received the Zbyrkadło (“Bell”) for 3rd place, and in the category of Singing Groups the Zbyrkadło for 1st place for a male singing group. One of the greatest honors for the members of the ensemble are the national badges of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage “Zasłużony dla Kultury Polskiej” (“Distinguished Service to Polish Culture”), which were awarded to Piotr Haza and the current instructors of the ensemble Tomasz Galica, Maria Kukuc - Frączysta and Katarzyna Stachoń - Groblowy.
An important task of the Giewont Parish Regional Ensemble is to teach highland singing and dancing and to pass on the tradition to younger generations, which is why there are children’s groups attached to the team. Currently rehearsals are conducted in two groups. The ensemble is attended by approximately 60 people.
