The "Magurzanie" Regional Ensemble operates within the Municipal Cultural Center in Łodygowice. It was founded by Krystyna Mikociak in 1984, and since 2011, it has been led by her daughter, Elżbieta Konior, who is also the choreographer. The musical direction is overseen by Brygida Sordyl, currently replaced by Anna Czupryn. The ensemble preserves the unique traditions of their municipality, region, and neighboring regions. The ensemble consists of a group of 60 teenage and adult dancers, vocalists, and musicians, as well as a children's group of 50 members. The ensemble's artistic level has been repeatedly recognized by jurors of national and international festivals. Since 2009, the ensemble has been a member of CIOFF.
Program Title: "Wedding from the early 20th century - Julecki from Zorza and Jonka from Cisiec – a fragment with wedding customs."
Program Authors: Script, Direction, Choreography: Elżbieta Konior Musical Arrangement, Program Consultation: Anna Czupryn Program Consultation, Direction: Krystyna Mikociak Dance and Ethnographic Consultation: Jan Gąsiorek
The program presents a fragment of the first day of a wedding from the early 20th century, focusing on wedding customs. The event takes place in the so-called "Old Zarzecze," a village that no longer exists, having been destroyed and submerged by the waters of Lake Żywieckie in the 1960s. The wedding of Julecki from Zorza and Jonka from Cisiec actually took place – the first day occurred in Zarzecze, and the after-wedding festivities took place in Cisiec. The program depicts the clothing, music, dances, and customs characteristic of that era. Over 100 years ago, Cisiec was characterized by highland folklore, while the northwestern Żywiecczyzna region, including Zarzecze, had influences from the Lasko region. The program begins with a commemorative photograph taken by a photographer from Żywiec during the wedding, just before dusk. Subsequently, the residents of Zarzecze and the guests from Cisiec return to the house, continuing the festivities. Various types of polkas will be shown, such as the Furious Polka, Dreptana Polka, Wild Polka, and Skakana Polka, as well as the waltz, obyrtka, and krzyżok danced by the oldest participants of the wedding. Krakowiaki, an essential element of any wedding, will also be featured. The men will compete among themselves, showcasing their physical prowess through displays that are characteristic of Cisiec and Zarzecze. In Zarzecze, a showy dance performed by two men was called the "Kozok." Props like baskets and bundles of wicker will also appear – Zarzecze was known for basket weaving from wicker. The culmination of the program will be the depiction of the wedding custom called "Oczepiny." Only women participate in this event. Young girls bid farewell to the bride and lead her out of her maiden status through songs and dances. After the "Oczepiny," married women introduce the bride to their group. The program will also include the tradition of collecting funds for the bride's headdress.
The program was mainly based on interviews with the oldest residents of Zarzecze. The ensemble will perform for the first time in costumes from the early 20th century from the Łodygowice Commune, which were reconstructed from historical family photographs of individual ensemble members and collected exhibits. For the purposes of this presentation, 24 new costumes were created – 12 for women and 12 for men. The early spring shortly after Easter is reflected in the warmer outerwear worn by the wedding participants. The orchestra will appear in two formations, with its composition reconstructed from old photographs and literature. Wind orchestras were already active in Żywiecczyzna at the beginning of the 20th century. The residents of Zarzecze were primarily involved in weaving wicker baskets, hence the presence of appropriate props. Information sources include: E. Konior, S. Słowiak, K. Mikociak "Memories from Old Zarzecze" project from 2021, K. Mikociak "Zarzecza Wedding" manuscript from 1985, E. Konior, B. Sordyl, A. Wróbel "Traditions of Northwestern Żywiecczyzna. Ancient Folk Song, Music, and Dance" publication from 2018, P. Stachura "Rybarzowice Wedding" manuscript from 1969, J. Tacina manuscripts, publications by J. Gąsiorek and J. Mikś.
