"Hey the Wedding!" or the last party of the Carvnival with "Wielkopolanie"

On January 31st 2026, the Folklore Group “Wielkopolanie” organized a traditional „Podkoziołek” party, which this year was titled “Hey the Wedding!”. This event was an important point in the group’s cultural calendar, combining the cultivation of regional traditions with the integration of the environment centered around the folklore of Greater Poland.

The main theme of the game referred to a wedding, which was clearly reflected in both the visual setting of the event and the participants’ costumes. Thematic costumes inspired by wedding rituals – both folk and stylized – introduced participants to the atmosphere of traditional celebrations known from Polish villages and cities. The whole thing was complemented by carefully selected music, thanks to which it was possible to dance and sing together in the spirit of old folk games.

The „Podkoziołek”, which is one of the most characteristic customs ending the carnival in Greater Poland, has served an important social and ritual function for centuries. Traditionally, it was the last day of loud fun before the beginning of Lent, a time to say goodbye to music, dance and freedom. In ancient rituals, a special role was played by young, unmarried girls who made symbolic donations “under the goat” – a figure depicting a boy or a goat, which is a sign of vital forces, fertility and the cyclical nature of life. This ritual had both a symbolic and communal dimension, emphasizing the transition from the period of carnival joy to the time of Lent reflection.

The cartwheel party performed by the Folk Group “Wielkopolanie” was not only a faithful reference to this tradition, but also its modern interpretation, adapted to today’s realities. The event created a space for cultivating the region’s cultural heritage and for an intergenerational meeting of people for whom folklore remains an important element of identity.

PK