Ding, ding, ding… Winter sleep is over!
The only clay bell preserved in the collection of the Ethnographic Museum of Kraków reminds us of the once extremely popular souvenirs of Kraków's spring parish fairs and festivals.
“Rękawka” Festival (the 1920s) by Agencja Światowid The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
Easter opened the spring social season in Kraków. Residents of the city and its neighbouring towns gathered outdoors to shake off the remnants of winter stupor.
On Easter Monday people used to go to Emaus at the foot of the Norbertine Monastery (an indulgence feast at the Church of the Holy Saviour), and on Tuesday – once celebrated as the third day of Easter – to Rękawka, initially on Krakus Mound, later on Lasota Hill by St Benedict's Church.
Toy axes (1880) by unknown The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
The origins of Kraków's spring parish fairs, although related to church celebrations, can be traced back to the Slavic All Souls' ceremonies, which were held in the spring.
„Tree of Life” (1923) by unknown The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
The customs described in the second half of the 19th century – ones involving rolling or dropping eggs, nuts, buns and gingerbread from a mound – but also the assortment of festival stalls and the dynamics of the fairs themselves, can be interpreted in the context of spring magical aura associated with nature coming back to life.
Here, the noise isn't a side effect of a crowded meeting.
It's one of the rules that govern spring rituals. Not only the participants, but also the entire world around them needs a strong stimulus to wake up
Baby rattle Baby rattle (the 1920s) by unknown The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
The ritual noise also helps chase away all that is evil and dangerous. That's why toys that make loud sounds, such as rattles filled with peas or pebbles, reign supreme on the stalls.
Pop gun Pop gun (1870) by unknown The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
Or wood pop guns – firing a cork tethered to a string resembles the sound of champagne bottle being opened.
Whistle Whistle (1st half of the 20th century) by Piotr Romańczyk The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
And the whistles. The ambience of spring festivities wouldn't be complete without them.
Regardless of their resemblance to particular species of birds, they were called “roosters”.
Whistle The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
They were made by Kraków's tile-makers and potters, but “roosters” also appeared on stalls brought from Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, Rabka, Andrychów, or even Warsaw.
“Rękawka” Festival in Krakow. (the 1930s) by Agencja Światowid The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
Regulars confirm without the shadow of a doubt: it was loud.
“You're greeted by hustle and bustle, the sound of paper trumpets, pipes, organs, harmonicas, barrel organs, the noise of whistles, roosters, and pipes…
Festival stall at “Rękawka” (the interwar period) by Roman Reinfuss The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
Frogs spun on a string croak, rubber bubbles and balloons of various shapes blown up and let loose, whistle and squeak in various voices (…) cheering up and dispelling any sadness”. From Seweryn Udziela's notes.
Sorrows away! Let's move!
Both old and young were drawn into the fun. Merry-go-rounds and swings made everyone’s head spin.
Axe The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
Youngsters were bursting with energy. One classic fair toy was the miniature axe. These were cut from raw wood and decorated with burnt iron stamps, and were brought by the truckload from Trzemieśno, near Myślenice.
Axe The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
Between 1890 and 1914, one could also buy axes painted with geometric ornamentation, made by Kraków bricklayers.
Pole climbing (1937) by Roman Reinfuss The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
The spirit of rivalry fuelled universal activity.
“Some are trying to climb a tall pole to fetch a flag from the top in order to get a prize, others test their strength in wrestling competitions…
Pole climbing at “Rękawka” (the interwar period) by unknown The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
… and others try their luck in races, running to the finish line on foot, on stilts, or by hopping with sacks reaching their waists”. Antoni Mokstein, based on Udziela's notes.
Festival stall at “Emaus” (1931) by Agencja Światowid The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
Celebrating means no shortage of food and drink.
Stalls with oranges, figs, nuts, sweets, cakes and tables with vodka, beer and snacks: sausages, salceson, blood sausage, sliced boiled eggs and rolls awaited the fair participants.
The spring fairs were a time of great fun. And toys!
Also those available on any budget – after all, nobody wants to return from a festival empty-handed.
Parrot Parrot (1947) by unknown The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
Stalls competed for children's attention with hand-made toys from well-known toy-making centres, e.g. from the Żywiec area: Koszarawa, Pewla, Lachowice, Stryszawa. And even ones from Germany, Hungary, or Czechia.
Violin Violin (1920s) by unknown The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
Wooden toys from the toy-making centre in Yavoriv, near Lviv, were also quite popular.
Parish fairs were an opportunity for seasonal workers to earn money.
Few creators are known by name. One of them is Mateusz Dańszczyk.
“Tavern brawl”, toy The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
Dańszczyk worked as a porter. He would wait in front of the Church of St. Adalbert in Krakow's Market Square with his trolley until someone hired him to work. In his free time, he manufactured toys which he sold on Emaus.
Not very funny, but moving, like “Tavern brawl”.
Raftsman Raftsman (Purchased at Krakow's Easter festival – Emaus – in 1934.) by Franciszek Kuthan (a mason from Ludwinów, active in the years between the end of the 19th century and the 1930s) The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
Franciszek Kuthan, a bricklayer from Ludwinów (now a district of Kraków), was another well-known toy maker. Like other members of the trade, he would be making toys during the winter break.
As he lived close to the Vistula River, his toys mainly featured raftsmen (or “spearmen”, as they used to be called in Kraków), who floated various goods down the river – a popular method of transporting goods at the time.
Pole climbing The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
Another bricklayer, Jan Oprocha (b. 1858), was also an attentive observer, portraying the inhabitants of Kraków in his own unique style in his toys. His son, also Jan, was also involved in toymaking.
Pole climbing The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
Toys made by Oprocha (the father) are anecdotal genre scenes depicting characters encountered on the streets of Kraków: respectable townspeople, ladies in hats, shopkeepers, soldiers… Among others, as participants in the various games held at Rękawka.
Goose and goslings (1958) by Zofia Postawa The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
Zofia and Ludwik Postawa from Pychowice (now part of Kraków) made figurines from kneaded bread dough treated with glue made from chestnut flour. When painted with oil paints, they received a glossy sheen.
Although these toys were made of a cheap, perishable material – in a museum they have a long life ahead of them. Only can they be played with here?
She-devil The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
Spring parish fairs are still held in Kraków today.
And the Ethnographic Museum of Kraków houses a unique, the only one in Poland, collection of approximately three hundred Kraków toys, purchased at Emaus and Rękawka. All were created between the late 19th century and the present day.
She-devil The Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
You can set some in motion at the Anew exhibition dedicated to springtime rituals.
Will you come by and try?
Text: Dorota Majkowska-Szajer
Designed and created by: Natalia Ciemborowicz-Luber, Dorota Majkowska-Szajer, Katarzyna Piszczkiewicz
