Festivals
in Zakopane

The folklore group Lubená was founded in 1984 by Ing. Jozef Strečanský, a native of Poluvsie. From a young age, he was a passionate collector of folk artifacts, customs, and songs. Until his tragic death in 1996, he led the group, served as the primáš (lead musician) of the folk band, and was the creator of scripts and everything related to the life of the folklore group. In 1999, he was posthumously awarded the Daniel Gabriel Lichard Medal for his lifelong devoted work in the village folklore group Lubená.

The folklore group Lubená is named after the stream that flows through the village.
It represents authentic folk customs and traditions of the Upper Nitra region (central Slovakia), showcasing how people lived more than 100 years ago. The core of its performances consists of calendar and family ceremonial traditions, as well as various work-related and dance occasions.

Its programs include Carnival season, Morena effigy burning (a farewell to winter), Maypole planting, harvest festivals, winter work evenings, and Christmas celebrations filled with carols and holiday wishes. The human life cycle is depicted through baptisms and weddings, while other social occasions are captured through dance evenings and farewell gatherings.

In the research and preservation of traditional folk culture, the group documents songs, customs, and cultural elements of Poluvsie and the Upper Nitra region.
Lubená is part of the OZ LUBENÁ – ZLUK association and regularly organizes performances exclusively showcasing the folk culture of the Upper Nitra region.

The group has participated in prestigious domestic folklore festivals, including Východná, Detva, Myjava, Zuberec, Heľpa, Dubnica nad Váhom, and Kokava nad Rimavicou.
Additionally, Lubená has delighted folk music enthusiasts in the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Ukraine.

Lubená has recorded and released four CDs:

• "V poluskej dedine" (In the Village of Poluvsie, 2002)
• "Či vás je veľa vo svete" (Are There Many of You in the World, 2008)
• "Nad Betlemom na salaši" (Above Bethlehem on the Sheepfold, 2017)
• A double album in collaboration with the children's folklore ensemble Malá Lubená, titled "V Polusí jeden dom" (A House in Poluvsie, 2020).

Currently, the group is preparing the release of the first part of a song collection in a notated version from the Jozef Strečanský archive.

In 2025, the group organized the 24th edition of the event "Pamätnica Jozefa Strečanského" (Jozef Strečanský Memorial), which provides a platform for folk singers and musicians playing traditional folk instruments in a competition format. This event is dedicated to honoring the memory of Jozef Strečanský, the founder of the group.

Currently, the Folklore Group Lubená operates under the artistic direction of Andrej Richter.
The group consists of three sections:

• Women’s singing group
• Men’s singing group
• Folk music ensemble

All three sections form an inseparable part of the program performances.

In the progressive showcases "Bearers of Traditions", Lubená represents its region at regional and national levels and has won multiple awards in regional and national competitions.

In 2014, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its founding, Lubená published a book titled "... and the song was born", documenting the group's history and achievements. The group has also been awarded the Honor of the Director of the National Cultural Center (NOC).

In 2015, Lubená successfully represented Slovakia at a festival in Zakopane, Poland, earning several awards, including the "Silver Ciupaga" for its program block "The Wedding".

In 2018, the group was invited as a guest of honor to the same festival.