🔴 Maniuch and Ksawery in concert
Maniucha and Ksawery represent a dialogue between two musical worlds that find a common language in tradition and improvisation. The foundation of their work lies in the songs of Polesia – stories passed down through generations about the rhythms of nature, everyday life, love, work and rituals. This material stems from Maniucha’s many years of field research, during which she documented the singing and memories of the oldest women in Ukrainian villages, whilst also drawing on archival records from the Polish-Ukrainian borderland. The duo’s repertoire includes spring songs, harvest songs, wedding songs, love songs, beggars’ songs, Christmas carols and lullabies. Taken together, they form a musical narrative about the cyclical nature of human life and the natural world. Maniucha Bikont and Ksawery Wójciński are winners of the ‘True Musicians’ Competition and the Czesław Niemen Special Prize at the Polish Radio ‘Nowa Tradycja’ Festival. Their debut album, *Oj borom, borom*, reinterprets archaic songs from western Polesia, blending tradition with the contemporary language of improvised music.
🔵 Discussion: ‘Silesia through the eyes of its residents’
How does the younger generation view Upper Silesia today? Are industry and mining still an important part of the region’s identity? What does the future hold for the Silesian dialect, and how can we rediscover Silesia? During the meeting, we will discuss the region’s contemporary face, the changes it has undergone, and the places which – though often overlooked in everyday life – shape its unique character. Miners’ houses, slag heaps, mine shafts and post-industrial landscapes will serve as a starting point for a discussion on memory, identity and the future of Upper Silesia. The discussion will feature Mateusz Ledwig (Roobens from Bytom) – an online content creator who promotes Silesian culture and dialect, Kamil Nowak and Zuzanna Czyż – the presenters of the programme ‘Mikrokosmosy’ broadcast on TVP Katowice, dedicated to exploring the region’s extraordinary places and history. The event will be moderated by Kamil Iwanicki, author of the books *Familoki. Silesian Microcosms* and *The Silesia That Isn’t There*, who is affiliated with the Victoria Cultural Centre. The discussion will provide an opportunity to talk about contemporary Silesian identity, local heritage and new ways of telling the region’s story.
7 August, Ruins of the Victoria Theatre in Gliwice
6.00 pm – opening of the summer terrace with the Stary Kufel bar area
7.00 pm – Concert by Maniuch and Ksawery
8.30 pm – Discussion: ‘Silesia through the eyes of its residents’
The event is part of the Festival of Cultures
. FREE ENTRY, but places are limited – the maximum number of participants allowed at the Ruins is 300. No tickets are required and we do not take bookings.
FULL PROGRAMME FOR THE TAURON CULTURE FRIDAYS SERIES: CLICK
The event is organised by the City of Gliwice and the Victoria Cultural Centre.
TAURON is the title sponsor of the event.
The event is being held as part of the TAURON Gliwicka Energia Kultury project.
Partners: Silesian Metropolitan Network, Hotel Qubus Gliwice