Workshop of a Krakowiak in the Krzysztofory Palace

The event is accompanied by the exhibition “Krakow block lace — living heritage. Jubilee exhibition on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the entry of Krakow block lace on the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage”.

The aim of the workshop is to introduce the Krakowiak tradition through practical learning of its basic steps, figures and characteristic style of execution.

Brief introduction:

“After the polonaise about seniority comes the Cracovian.” As Karol Czerniawski wrote in The Characteristics of Dances by Karol Czerniawski (Warsaw 1847), the Krakowiak was danced by both the people of Krakow and the nobility of the whole of Poland, and this dance was once extremely common.

Krakowiak took over and combined into one whole elements of a number of older Krakow dances, including running, sliding, invited, passed and chased. Later Cracoviak figures were to be derived from these traditions, including the Old Krakow figure and the Porębian figure from the Cossack according to Oskar Kolberg, Lud. His customs, way of life, speech, sermons, proverbs, rites, gushla, games, songs, music and dances, Serya VI, Krakowskie, Part Two, Kraków 1873. Karol Mestenhauser, in turn, showed common features of the figure of Krakow with counterdance dances and cadrilles.

Thus, during the short introduction, the participants will learn selected information about the history and transformations of the Krakowiak and his choreotechnics and his place in the Polish dance tradition.

Workshop part:

In the workshop part, the participants will learn and dance the characteristic claw, the step of the chairs and the Krakow hołubce. Basic dance figures performed in pairs and groups, up to combining learned elements into short dance sequences.

Workshop Supporters:

The workshops will involve dancers from Krakow ensembles and dance schools, as well as a couple representing the Elegia Team from Rudnik operating at GOK “KUŹNIA” in Sułkowice. Their participation will allow to show different experiences related to the practice of dance: its stage and traditional form.

Teacher: Agnieszka Wargowska-Dudek

Workshops implemented as part of the grant “Lajkonik Procession 2026 — celebration of urban identity”: Co-financed from the funds of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage from the Culture Promotion Fund — a state special purpose fund.