Wrocław Festival
The Wrocław Festival on posters from the collection of the Social Life Documents Department the Ossoliński National Institute
By Ossoliński National Institute
dr Liliana Nawrot-Łakomiec ( Social Life Documents Department the Ossoliński National Institute )
Wrocław Days 70 (1970-05) by Ryszard GachowskiOssoliński National Institute
The Wrocław Festival is one of the nicest extravaganzas in Wrocław. Usually the warm June weather and the time of the summer solstice are conducive to meetings, concerts and performances.
Wrocław Days 74 (1974) by Eugeniusz Stankiewicz GetOssoliński National Institute
But this was not always the case. Hardly anyone remembers that the beginnings of the Wrocław Festival in June can be traced back to Wrocław Days in May, originally organised to mark the liberation of the city in 1945.
Initially, Wrocław Days were celebrated in a historical and political spirit and were to emphasise the importance of the so-called return of the Western Territories to the Motherland. The festivities, however, were not exclusively political in nature. For a few weeks, Wrocław would change its face – numerous cultural and sporting events were held as part of the festival: the Book Fair, Fabryczna May, The Oder River Festival and Cepeliada.
The Wrocław Festival was promoted by posters which years later became material documenting the dynamics of cultural life in Wrocław. They illustrated the history of different festivities and the variety of events.
The colourful motifs depicted on the posters often refer to the architecture, symbolism and history of Wrocław.
Frequently authored by outstanding Polish and Wroclaw graphic artists, the posters have particular value. They include works by, among others: Jan Jaromir Aleksiun, Andrzej P. Bator, Tadeusz Ciałowicz, Eugeniusz Get-Stankiewicz, Roman Kowalik.
These graphic artworks come from the collection of the Social Life Documents Department of the ONI and the Wrocław Contemporary Culture Room.
Cepeliada (1985) by Andrzej P. BatorOssoliński National Institute
Cepeliada
Cepeliada was the most eagerly awaited highlight on the Wrocław Days programme. This colourful folklore event, popular in the 1970s and 1980s, was mainly a show of folk music and dances from various nations and a handicrafts display.
Nowadays, some elements of Cepeliada have evolved into organic fairs held in Solny Square and the Christmas market in the Main Market Square.
celebrated nationwide and were the first ever book advertisement accessible to all. The Book Fair on the Moat was one of Wrocław’s most beautiful May events and it enjoyed great popularity. Crowds gathered around book authors who willingly engaged in book signing. Sometimes, it was the only opportunity to meet a famous writer in person and get an autograph.
Factory May 79 (1979) by unknownOssoliński National Institute
Fabryczna May
From the early 1970s, Fabryczna May was a popular cyclical event usually held as part of Wrocław Days. It was organised by the Fabryczna District Office in cooperation with community centres.
Industrial exhibitions hosted in workplaces were a distinctive feature of this event. Other entertainments included air shows, sports competitions, film screenings, fairs, stage performances and games for children. In the Leśnica Castle, visitors could listen to lectures given by staff from the National Museum and the Ethnographic Museum. Quite possibly, those talks provided the inspiration for the Night of Museums which is currently organised every year.
Wrocław feels good by the Oder. Wrocław Festival (2001) by Katarzyna GolecOssoliński National Institute
The Wrocław Festival on the Oder River
The festival was first organised in the early 1980s as part of Wrocław Days. The programme of events taking place along the Oder River included canoe regattas for children and the youth, ship parades combined with visits to the vessels, hot air balloon flights, parachute jumping and demonstrations of police dog trainings.
Midsummer Night
It is celebrated during the Wrocław Festival and refers to ancient legends and traditional rituals related to the river and the summer solstice. Many of them, such as throwing wreaths or making bonfires, have their roots in pre-Christian times.
29th Wrocław Days (1984-05-09/05) by Tadeusz CiałowiczOssoliński National Institute
These also include demonstrations of old crafts, knights’ fights and plebeian games. This immersive experience of Wroclavians having fun together on the Oder River links the Wrocław Days in May with the June Wrocław Festival.
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