The Regional Ensemble “Starosądeczanie” was founded in 2006 and operates under the Ada Sari Centre of Culture and Arts in Stary Sącz. For twenty years, with passion and dedication, the ensemble has been preserving the folklore of the Lachy Sądeckie region, representing its heritage at events both in Poland and abroad.
The ensemble has performed in Poland, North Macedonia, Greece, Georgia, Ireland, Slovakia, Hungary, Ukraine, and Italy, taking part in numerous festivals and folk competitions.
The ensemble’s repertoire includes an over one-hour-long suite of Lachy Sądeckie dances, featuring polkas, sztajerki, waltzes, krakowiaks, and other traditional dances. It also presents a nearly half-hour programme of Łącko Highlanders’ dances. In addition, the group performs traditional folk spectacles such as “U rymorza po jarmarku” (“At the Blacksmith’s After the Fair”), “Na św. Szczepana” (“On St. Stephen’s Day”), “Na imioninak u Jondrzeja” (“At Jędrzej’s Name Day Celebration”), and “Po łodpuście u św. Kingi” (“After the Feast of St. Kinga”).
“Starosądeczanie” have received numerous awards and distinctions, including: first place in the folk band category and first place in the artistically developed ensemble category at the Intercultural Folk Festival “Zagłębie i Sąsiedzi” in Dąbrowa Górnicza; first place at the Festival of Lachy and Highlanders in Piwniczna-Zdrój; the Grand Prix for the band during the National Competition “Śpiewaj i Tańcz na Ludowo” (“Sing and Dance Folk”) in Pacanów; first place for the band at the Druzbacka competition in Podegrodzie; the Silver Żywiec Heart award at the 57th Festival of Polish Highlanders’ Folklore in Żywiec; and the Golden Żywiec Heart award for the ensemble’s band during the same event.
The ensemble is led by Robert Jastrzębski. The choreography is created by Elżbieta Sroka, while the musical direction is overseen by Emilia Nalepa and Piotr Rembiasz.
