AFRICA WAS SINGING CHANTS
Algeria is the second largest country in Africa. You can find there the most beautiful regions of the Sahara and the cities full of history. Here, in Sidi Bel Abbes – located 466 km to the west from Algiers, since 2004 is organizing an international folk dance festival where every year come groups from all over the world. This year the festival visited countries such as Spain, Palestine, Morocco, Croatia, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Hungary, Syria, Portugal, Jordan, Georgia, Sudan, Congo, Poland and the home groups called: Constantine, Tizi ouzon, Biskra, Misla, Sidi Bel Abbes, Laghouat, Ghardaya, Setif whose presented their skills to all participants of the festival on the first day, when the “Wielkopolanie” came to such an exotic country for them. 
Wielkopolanie began theirs participation in the festival with parade through the streets of Sidi Bel Abbes. Many thousands of audience, which accounted for nearly only men, could enjoy the dances and chants of Upper Silesia. That same day, at the opening of the festival in the theater “Wielkopolanie” showed dances from Szamotuły and Poznań in wonderful costumes. In subsequent days, “Wielkopolanie” presented themselves at numerous concerts in Sidi Bel Abbes, and in the National Opera in Oran – a beautiful city known for the “The Plague” written by Albert Camus. In addition group also presented national and regional dances such as Rzeszów and Przeworsk region, Beskid Slaski.
The latter were always enthusiastically received by the gathered audience, and after the demonstration there was no end of the applause.
The delegation of the group also had the opportunity to meet the officials of Sidi Bel Abbes and during this meeting “Wielkopolanie” had the opportunity to give some gifts, related to Polish folk culture, to Government representatives.
During the festival, organizers assured Polish artists some time to visit and explore the Algerian culture. The group visited the site associated with the cult of the sacred near the lake, an exhibition of paintings, sculptures, costumes, and artistic craft. On the last day of the festival “Wielkopolanie” had the opportunity to feel like a real Algerian dancers participating in a dance school run by two native groups.
“Wielkopolanie” used the chance and taught their teachers some polish dances. These were not the only lesson the gave. Every free moments “Wielkopolanie” also used to teach some national songs. Our traditional and regional chants which were sung by the various African groups enjoyed “Wielkopolanie’s” hearts.
AZ, ŁK tł. WF
