Wielkoplanie Bring Folk Spirit to the Opening of the Museum of World Cultures

On October 24, 2025, the city of Poznań celebrated the grand opening of the Museum of World Cultures – a new chapter in the history of the former Ethnographic Museum, a branch of the National Museum in Poznań. The event, blending tradition and modernity, was beautifully enhanced by a performance from the folk ensemble “Wielkoplanie,” renowned for their vibrant and passionate presentations of regional culture from Greater Poland.

From the Heart of Greater Poland – Music, Dance, and Costumes

For many years, Wielkoplanie have been devoted to preserving and promoting the rich folk heritage of Greater Poland, performing both across the country and abroad. Their shows combine the authenticity of old traditions with the energy of contemporary interpretation. During the opening of the Museum of World Cultures, the ensemble presented a program that symbolically reflected the museum’s new mission — a meeting of cultures, diversity, and dialogue.

The audience admired traditional costumes from various regions of Greater Poland, richly decorated with embroidery and lace, as well as folk dances — from the lively wiwat to the stately chodzony. Most of all, the concert showcased traditional folk instruments, which played a central role in the performance. The stage came alive with the sounds of the dudy wielkopolskie (bagpipes), kozioł biały (white goat bagpipe), tied fiddles, frame drums, and clarinets. The musicians not only recreated the authentic soundscapes of centuries past but also shared stories about the instruments’ origins and cultural meanings.

A Dance That Connects Generations

A special highlight of the evening was the folk dance workshop led by members of the ensemble after their performance. Guests of the museum — including locals, tourists, and folk enthusiasts — had the chance to learn the basic steps of the wiwat, oberek, and polka. Participants described the experience as unforgettable — full of joy, laughter, and a sense of togetherness, dancing hand in hand to the rhythm of traditional instruments.

A New Museum, A New Perspective

The opening ceremony marked a milestone in the museum’s long history. The new name and mission — to tell stories about the diversity of cultures and the people who create them — reflect a broader, more inclusive vision. Located in the beautifully restored 19th-century building at Grobla 25, the museum now offers two permanent exhibitions: “Creations: Folk Costumes Drawn to Measure” and “EXotica?” Together they present over 600 artifacts from around the world — from Greater Poland to the Amazon.

The Wielkoplanie performance perfectly embodied this spirit, reminding visitors that Greater Poland’s folk heritage is part of the global cultural mosaic — equally alive, evolving, and full of emotion. Their presence turned the museum’s inauguration into not just an official event, but a heartfelt celebration of community and shared tradition.

Wielkoplanie – Ambassadors of Tradition

The Wielkoplanie Folk Ensemble is composed of passionate musicians, singers, and dancers devoted to preserving and sharing the region’s folk traditions. They regularly perform at national and international festivals, proudly representing Greater Poland. Education is also central to their mission — they lead workshops, museum lessons, and interactive sessions for both children and adults, showing that folklore is not a relic of the past, but a living part of culture.

Their participation in the opening of the Museum of World Cultures was both natural and symbolic — a bridge between local heritage and global openness. As the organizers noted, it is precisely such encounters — of sound, movement, tradition, and shared joy — that best capture the spirit of the new museum.