"Wielkopolanie" in Sri Lanka!
From February 12th to 18th, 2026, „Wielkopolanie” Folklore Ensemble embarked on its 134th artistic journey abroad, with its destination being Sri Lanka. This was the 68th country visited by “Wielkopolanie” dancers, who participated in the SICFF International Folklore Festival, where, alongside artists from India, Thailand, Estonia, Bangladesh, Poland, and Sri Lanka, they had the opportunity to perform for Sri Lankan audiences.
The highlight of the festival was the competition, during which an international jury evaluated the participating ensembles. “Wielkopolanie” achieved another success in Sri Lanka – winning the competition held as part of the festival! This great distinction gave the dancers and the ensemble’s management extraordinary satisfaction and joy, confirming that Polish folk dance is beautiful and distinctive worldwide! In addition to performing on Sri Lankan stages, the band also had the opportunity to experience the culture, natural beauty, and people of Sri Lanka!
On the first day, after a warm welcome at the Colombo airport, the “Wielkopolanie” band traveled to a Sri Lankan school, where the students prepared traditional local dishes and presented an artistic program. The Poznań artists returned the favor by introducing the students to Polish folk dances and songs.
The organizers then invited the group to the zoo and the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, where they had the pleasure of spending time close to Asian elephants.
„Wielkopolanie” Folk Group began their second day in Sri Lanka by visiting a beautiful Buddhist temple, located on a hill, amidst the extraordinary natural surroundings of Sri Lanka. The fact that they climbed the hill and entered the temple barefoot made it even more special. The next highlight of the day was a visit to the Ceylon Tea Museum in Kandy, where they learned about the history of tea production on the island and had the pleasure of tasting it. In the evening, the “Wielkopolanie” performed the first concert of the festival, presenting dances of the polish region of Spisz at the Kandy market.
The next day began with a visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya, where the Poznań artists admired the beautiful flora and fauna of Sri Lanka. They saw countless different species of local plants and animals native to Sri Lanka, such as monkeys and bats. After relaxing amidst the Sri Lankan greenery, it was time for a dance rehearsal before the competition concert, which took place that evening at the NICD Auditorium in Kandy. That evening, the “Wielkopolanie” performed dances from the Krakow region. These dances gave the “Wielkopolanie” victory, defeating 12 teams from around the world. The artists spent their last day in Kandy exploring the city center, and then headed to the Nirmani Shakthi Dance Academy, where, thanks to the kindness of the students and school management, they learned about the vibrant music, dance, and culinary culture of Sri Lanka. “Wielkopolanie” presented their culture to the students of the dance school, dancing Polish folk dances and presenting Polish songs. The mutual exchange of native dances and songs in an exceptionally warm atmosphere will remain a long-lasting memory in the dancers’ hearts. At the end of the day, they departed for their new accommodations – this time near Colombo.
On the last day of the SICFF International Folklore Festival, “Wielkopolanie” performed a suite of dances from Spisz on the stage of the impressive NIIBS Campus theater in Kelaniya Nagananda.
The 134th foreign trip of the “Wielkopolanie” Dance Academy allowed the dancers to showcase Polish folk traditions in yet another global destination. For the group, it was a unique adventure of music, dance, and the encounter of many cultures. Sri Lanka enchanted the artists with its rich traditions, the beauty of its nature, and the extraordinary warmth of its people, leaving them with unforgettable memories that will last for years to come.
KF
