Polish Folklore Returns: Polonia Families Gather in Rzeszow

15 July 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

The Polish folk festival in Rzeszow brings 27 diaspora ensembles from eight countries for concerts, a parade and a gala. Read why expats should care.

The Polish folk festival in Rzeszow opens from 17 to 20 July, drawing 27 diaspora ensembles from eight countries. Moreover, the city will host parades, 25 concerts and a gala at Hala Podpromie.

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Marathon of music: parade, concerts and gala

Organizers scheduled a lively procession on Friday. Consequently, 17 groups will march to the main market for the official opening. In addition, festival director Piotr Kowalski expects more than 25 concerts. Therefore, visitors can catch performances in Rzeszów and nearby towns like Zaczernie, Błażowa and Świlcza. Furthermore, the gala will present all groups in a single show. The artistic director Janusz Chojnacki says some ensembles prepared exclusive programs. As a result, the gala will showcase new choreography and music.

Regional color and unexpected mixes

Groups will present traditional dances from Kraków and the Carpathians. Moreover, Polonia from Hanover will add Lublin customs and Andrzejki party pieces. In addition, the Wawel ensemble from Texas will bring a cowboy edge. Yessica Króżel explained that Texan dancers blend regional Polish steps with a cowboy spirit. Consequently, the festival will show how diaspora communities adapt traditions to local life.

Polish folk festival in Rzeszow: revival among youth

Leaders report a clear revival of folk arts among young people. Aldona Głowacka says many ensembles attract teenagers and young adults. Moreover, some groups now run multiple age brackets. In Canada, Grażyna Rodak notes four age groups, with children as young as four. Therefore, the festival acts as a training ground. Furthermore, it helps younger members learn language, music and community ties.

Why this matters for expats and visitors

Rzeszów has hosted this festival for 57 years. Consequently, it became a cornerstone event for Polonia worldwide. Moreover, the gathering offers networking beyond music. For instance, dancers exchange tips about visas and community fundraising. In addition, expats can meet cultural associations that help with local integration. Therefore, newcomers can learn about volunteer roles and social activities.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If you attend, factor in Poland’s public services. For example, ZUS means social insurance, NFZ refers to the national health fund, and PESEL denotes the national ID number. Moreover, Rzeszów sits in Subcarpathia and has a regional airport (Rzeszów-Jasionka). Consequently, flights and trains connect the city to Warsaw and Kraków. Also, book tickets early for the Hala Podpromie gala.

Festival participants face a busy schedule of rehearsals and shows. However, they say the effort pays off. In addition, many artists return year after year. Kowalski notes several groups attend the festival for the seventeenth time. Moreover, three groups will perform here for the first time. Therefore, the event mixes deep tradition with fresh voices.

Visitors should expect lively streets, regional costumes and varied music styles. Furthermore, the festival shows how Polish traditions travel with migrants. Consequently, it tells a broader story about identity and belonging in the modern diaspora.

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