POLAND

International Folk Meetings Małopolska

International Folk Meetings Małopolska are the first such broad and universal folk culture event of its kind in this part of the Małopolska Voivodeship. The idea of the Festival matured for several years and finally, in May 2013, thanks to the support of the Małopolska Voivodeship authorities, it found fertile ground. This international festival aims to actively promote the region's cultural heritage and showcase the values of ethnic cultures from other countries. Meetings with the best ensembles from around the world are intended to serve as a platform for exchanging experiences, building quality and networking between groups participating in subsequent editions of the Festival. Promoting cultural diversity is one of the most important elements of this endeavor. Discovering and personally experiencing differences, customs, and otherness is intended to foster a desire to learn about the values of one's own region. The Festival is funded by the Małopolska Voivodeship government and the City and Commune of Myślenice. Organized by the Cultural and Sports Center of Myślenice (Myślenicki Ośrodek Kultury i Sportu), the Representative Song and Dance Ensemble "Ziemia Myślenicka", the Myślenice Cultural Society, and nearly 50 volunteers from across Poland, the International Folk Meetings Małopolska are certified by the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Popular Arts (CIOFF®).
"International Folklore Festival “Kashubian Meetings with the Folklore of the World” is a unique, annual cultural event held during the last week of July in the towns of Brusy, Czersk, Kościerzyna, Wiele, and Wdzydze, located in the Kashubia region of North Poland.
This vibrant festival brings together folklore groups from Poland and around the world, showcasing the rich diversity of traditions, music, dance, and handicrafts from various cultures. Its aim is not only to promote folk culture but also to foster social integration, educate younger generations, and build international dialogue based on mutual respect and understanding.
Each year, the event attracts a large audience – both local residents and tourists – and receives widespread coverage in regional and national media."
International Folklore Meetings held in Lublin is one of the largest festivals in eastern Poland, which for 40 years has been promoting and popularising the folklore of various countries among the residents of Lublin and the region. It is an opportunity to present a repertoire of folk dances, songs and music, which are performed alternately each year by invited adult and children's and youth groups. During the festival in Lublin, there are dance and music concerts, parades, animations for residents, artistic workshops, and a folk art and handicraft fair. The festival is held under the auspices of CIOFF® - the International Council of Organizations for Folklore Festivals and Folk Art and has been included in the world calendar of folklore festivals. The organiser of the International Folklore Meetings is the Song and Dance Ensemble ‘Lublin’, one of the oldest and largest folklore ensembles in Poland. The festival has received numerous prestigious awards and distinctions. It is a cultural event which, with all the richness and diversity of cultural life in Lublin and the region, enjoys enormous interest from audiences, strengthens friendly contacts and bonds, and teaches respect and protection for both one's own cultural heritage and that of other nations. Several hundred ensembles from over 70 countries have performed on the festival stages in Lublin so far.

The event's initiator and organizer since its inception in 1994 is the WARMIA Ensemble. The venue is the city of Olsztyn and the surrounding area. After its initial inception, the event has become one of the largest (in every respect) folklore events in the Warmia and Mazury region.
International Folklore Festival in Strzegom - A Celebration of Culture and Tradition in the Heart of Lower Silesia Content: The International Folklore Festival in Strzegom (Poland) is one of the most significant and vibrant cultural events in Lower Silesia, proudly holding CIOFF® accreditation for many years. The festival serves as a living testament to the commitment to safeguarding and promoting intangible cultural heritage, providing a platform for authentic presentations of dance and music traditions from around the world. The festival is organized by the Strzegom Cultural Center, which ensures a high artistic and organizational standard for the event, in line with CIOFF®'s mission and standards. Every year, typically in August, the historic town of Strzegom transforms into an international folklore capital, hosting groups from various continents. The festival program is rich with attractions that draw both local residents and tourists: Gala Concerts: Spectacular performances by ensembles on open-air stages and in concert halls. Street Parade: A colourful procession of participants in traditional costumes, showcasing the cultural richness of invited countries and Polish regions. Integration Meetings and Workshops: Opportunities for closer cultural encounters, learning traditional dances or songs. Regional Presentations: Performances by Polish folk groups, highlighting the diversity of native heritage. The International Folklore Festival in Strzegom is more than just an artistic review; it is primarily a meeting place for people of different cultures, promoting the ideas of friendship, mutual respect, and peace through the universal language of music and dance. The festival creates a unique atmosphere of joy and community, proving that tradition is a living element of the contemporary world. As a CIOFF® affiliated festival, Strzegom ensures the authenticity of the presented folklore and fulfills the organization's objectives, contributing to the global network of cultural exchange and the protection of humanity's heritage. We invite you to Strzegom to experience the extraordinary energy, colours, and sounds of the International Folklore Festival – an event that connects generations and nations in a celebration of shared heritage.
IFF EUROFOLK-Zamość is an international folk festival that celebrates traditional music, dance, and culture from around the world. Every year, it brings together folk groups from different countries to share their heritage through colorful performances and cultural exchange. the event promotes unity, diversity and appreciation of folk traditions. Audiences can enjoy live music, and traditional costumes. EUROFOLK is not only a celebration of folklore, but also a meeting place for people who value cultural identity and international friendship.
"The International Folklore Festival – Ożarów Mazowiecki is an international festival, which folk groups from Poland and others world’s regions participate in.
The most important goal of the festival is to maintain and spread the richness and heritage of folk culture from different countries, as well as establishing of cooperation and exchanging of experiences between the groups from Poland and abroad. The International Folklore Festival has been organized since 2013. "
The World Folk Review INTEGRATION is an international festival organized since 2001 in Poznan in August. The festival has been visited annually by groups from all over the world and Poland, this giving the inhabitants of Wielkopolska the opportunity to learn about other cultures. The general concept of the festival is the assumption that folklore is a permanent element of our identity, and the organizers focus on direct contact with the audience. Therefore, in addition, the festival program includes dance workshops, national evenings and the International Tournament of Traditional Sports "Pierscieniówka". The events are available to all viewers, of all ages, which allows for direct experience of the proposed aspects of folklore. The folk groups invited by the organizers not only give concerts, but also integrate. We fill their free time by offering visits to tourist attractions in the area: showing the history and traditions of the region in the visited cities. The culminating point of the Festival is the final concert, organized each time against the backdrop of a different, unique and exceptional place in Wielkopolska region. This concert is unique. It combines the play of lights and sounds - the most interesting elements selected from the programs presented by the groups during the festival. Therefor, the World Folk Review INTEGRATION has been in the forefront of the best-rated festivals organized under the patronage of CIOFF in the world for a long time.