„Heart for the Heart” - a charity concert of Folk Group „Wielkopolanie”

“Wielkopolanie” folk group has impressed the audience in the country and abroad with their performances, presenting the richness of folk culture of Greater Poland and all of Poland. However, the group’s activities are not only concerts and folklore education. It is also a deeply rooted sense of social responsibility and readiness to help. Artists of “Wielkopolanie” have been actively involved in various charity actions for years, proving that music and dance can be a tool of real social change. One of the most significant manifestations of this activity is the team’s participation in the nationwide initiative “Heart Bands” concerts.

In the world of folklore and traditional Polish music, there is an initiative that combines a passion for dance and singing with real help for those who need it. The Heart Bands are a nationwide charity campaign, initiated in 2009 by the Polish section CIOFF – the International Council of Folklore Associations, festivals and folk art. The aim of the project is to organize concerts, the proceeds of which are allocated to social and aid – from treatment of children to hospice support and rehabilitation of people with disabilities.

Each year, folk groups, folk bands, soloists and cultural institutions from various parts of Poland unite for one purpose – to support people through art. Artistic performances are only one part of the event. Auctions, fairs, collections are also taking place around the concerts, and more and more often online support campaigns. Each edition has its own local character and a specific goal – it can be a costly operation for a child with a rare disease, purchase of rehabilitation equipment, or help for refugee families. Every year, dozens of folk groups join the campaign. Representatives of different generations often perform together – children, young people, adults and seniors – creating a spectacle full of emotions and emotions. During the concerts, Polish national and regional dances, folk songs, as well as new folklore arrangements inspired by contemporary trends are presented. The “Heart Bands” campaign is more than a concert. It is an expression of solidarity, care and belief that music and dance have the power to unite people. Thanks to the involvement of artists, volunteers and the audience, for years we have managed to collect hundreds of thousands of zlotys for noble purposes. And all this under the banner of tradition, community and heart – because in this initiative the other man counts above all. “Heart Bands” prove that folk culture not only cares for identity and tradition, but also opens the hearts – literally and figuratively. In a world full of noise and divisions, they become a quiet but powerful voice of good.

This year’s charity action of the “Wielkopolanie” folk group entitled “Heart for the Heart” is a concert for the Specialized Health Care Group for Mother and Child in Poznań. Almost 150 artists of the band, on June 30 at 18.30 on the joint stage in Poznań presented dances and songs of many regions of Poland as well as arrangements inspired by Polish folklore. Next to the stage presentation, there was an auction of items funded by the sponsors of this charity concerts. The donors of this year’s auction are: Sheraton Poznań Hotel, Wilcza for/Rest, „Nasza Pszczelarnia”, Edu-Arto, ASZ Teatr, Oknowo, Szkarłat Aleksandra, Dmitrzak-Węglarz Monika, Degórski Marek, Krobski Design and „Pasieka nad Letnicą”.

„Wielkopolanie” shows that folklore is not only a legacy of the past – it is also a living and contemporary form of expressing the value: empathy, community and solidarity. Through their charity, the team confirms that folk art can have a real impact on people’s lives and become a tool for hoping.

The program of this year’s concert included:

– “Battle” chor. Kulka Zofia

– Polka, chor. Zofia

– Children’s dances and games of Wielkopolska, chor. Kulka Zofia, music by Paprzycka – Powel Zuzanna

– “Na Holi” Żywiec region dances, chor. Rogalińska Grażyna, music by Paprzycka – Powel Zuzanna

– “Like him” chor. Kulka Zofia

– ” Zagroj mi muzycko”, dances and songs of Eastern Cracovians, chor. Hazuka Wiesława, music by Horbik Stanisław

– “A w Poznaniu” dances and games of Poznań lands, chor. Kulka Piotr, music Horbik Stanisław

– “Kozali mi kury paść”, dances and games of Szamotuły, chor. Kulka Piotr, music by Paprzycka – Powel Zuzanna

– “Poszła niewiasta”, chor. Rogalińska Grażyna, music by Paprzycka – Powel Zuzanna

– “Przez wode konicki” dances of Cieszyn, chor. Marcinek Zofia, music by Horbik Stanisław

– “Hey, Sobótka, Sobótka”, chor. Rogalińska Grażyna, music by Paprzycka – Powel Zuzanna

– “Siedzi ptaszek” dances and songs of the Lublin region, chor. Szymański Ernest, music Horbik Stanisław

PK