Folk art festival 2025

A year ago, the capital of Podhale – Nowy Targ – came alive to the rhythm of fiddles, the tapping of traditional kierpce shoes, and the sounds of highland dances, dialect, and songs. It was then, on the stage of the City Cultural Centre, that the **Folk Art Festival “Treasures of Podhale – Carlina Acaulis” took place — a celebration of colors, traditions, and stories woven into embroidery, clothing, melodies, handicrafts, and the hearts of people.

The Folk Art Festival “Treasures of Podhale – Carlina Acaulis” is an event that promotes the breathtaking, unique-in-the-world, and colorful culture of Podhale and its creators — artists of various disciplines who were born, live, and create in this region. Deeply connected to their homeland, they carry its traditions across Poland and abroad.

LONG LIVE THE CRAFTSMEN!

This year’s edition of the Folk Art Festival “Treasures of Podhale – Traditional Handicraft Workshops” is a magical journey into the very heart of Podhale, were tradition and culture dance together in perfect harmony.

This year, we continue with the second power of Carlina Acaulis- Dziewięćsił.

During the Festival, we will rediscover the Treasures of Handicraft, the beauty of folk motifs, and the soul of the highland world — from embroidery to music — telling the story of people who have passed their heritage down from generation to generation.

It’s a return to the roots, full of warmth, colors, and authenticity — bringing us closer to nature and our cultural identity.

The festival delivers a powerful dose of tradition and culture from one of Poland’s most expressive regions — Podhale, where respect for language, history, and family values is a sacred treasure handed down through the generations. Here, tradition remains alive.

This year, we are bringing the Treasures of Podhale to Sweden!

The 2025 edition will take place on December 9, 2025, in Stockholm, at the prestigious Gallery Zebra,

Övre Torekällgatan 31, 151 33 Södertälje (https://gallerizebra.se/)

HONORARY PATRONAGE:

Mayor of Nowy Targ – Mr. Grzegorz Watycha, District Gavernor of Nowy Targ County – Mr. Tomasz Hamerski, Deputy District Gavernor – Mr. Robert Furia, Acting Member of the County Board – Mr. Jacek Król

MEDIA PARTNERS:

przedsiębiorcy@eu, Klub Integracji Europejskiej, The Designer Magazine, Art Media Podhale, Tygodnik Podhalański, 24tp.pl, MałopolskaOnline.pl, Góral24.pl, helloarthellodesign, Talents Poland Magazine, Lemou.design

During this year’s edition, the focus will be on traditional handicrafts.

As part of the festival, we will host vibrant workshops dedicated to original, traditional crafts. Participants will gain both knowledge and hands-on experience in various artisan techniques characteristic of the Podhale region.

Under the guidance of expert artists, they will take part in free workshopsin painting, embroidery, and the creation of folk ornaments.

It’s a unique opportunity not only to learn new skills but also to preserve and promote the traditional methods of crafting and decorating works of art that are characteristic of Podhale.

Workshops include:

Painting highland shawls with unique, traditional ornaments (including the Rose and Carlina Acaulis – dziewięćsił motifs).

The workshops will be led by Halina Bartoszek-Rosa – an artist, fashion and textile designer, painter, and researcher of art and design, known as “The Rose of Podhale.”

She combines tradition with modernity, creating one-of-a-kind fabrics and hand-painted shawls inspired by the heritage of Podhale.

A graduate of the prestigious Nordiska Textilakademin in Sweden, she specializes in sustainable and circular design.

She conducts artistic and educational workshops in both Sweden and Poland.

Her art is rooted in the symbolism of nature and cultural dialogue, merging painting, applied art, and fashion into a poetic and cohesive whole.

She is a laureate of numerous national and international awards.

Creating traditional highland jewelry, led by Lucyna Wachnicka – a multidimensional painter and artist.

Lucyna Wachnicka is a versatile artist whose works have captivated audiences for years with their subtlety, rich colors, and emotional depth.

She has participated in over 40 exhibitions in Sweden, actively contributing to the artistic scene there. Her works have also been shown in Poland, with many finding their way into private collections both at home and abroad.

Many of her paintings are commissioned pieces, emphasizing their unique character and universal message.

At the heart of Wachnicka’s work lies humanity, nature, and emotion – delicately intertwined through form, color, and light.

Her art inspires, soothes, and encourages reflection. She is also a curator of exhibitions and art events. Photography is among her passions, especially capturing the beauty of nature, people, animals, and fleeting moments of everyday life.

She also creates regional jewelry, producing unique, handcrafted designs inspired by folk tradition.

Intergenerational workshops of regional dialect, conducted by an expert in Podhale’s language and culture.

The festival continues the initiative launched in 2024 under the title “Folk Art Festival Treasures of Podhale – Carlina Acaulis.”

That event celebrated the rich folk culture of Podhale and featured local artists and craftsmen.

Participants gained knowledge and took part in creative workshops, concerts, and a fashion show promoting the vibrant highland folklore.

The event exceeded all expectations, and the feedback and conversations with participants confirmed the need to continue this cultural tradition.

WHO IS THE CREATOR AND PRODUCER OF THE EVENT?

Agnieszka Knap, M.A. in Cultural Studies (Faculty of Social Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań) and graduate of Strategic Human Resource Management at the Poznań University of Economics.

She is the creator and producer of Europe’s first multimedia fashion show on water, launched at the Bukowina Thermal Baths, promoting the art and culture of Podhale.

A lover of art, culture, history, traditions, folklore, and the mountains – traveler, explorer, cultural animator, and producer of artistic events in Poland and abroad.

A long-time dancer with the Łany Folk Song and Dance Ensemble, and producer of both Folk Art Festival – Treasures of Podhale – Carlina Acaulis – Dziewięćsił and Folk Art Festival – Treasures of Podhale – Traditional Handicraft Workshops.

Agnieszka is a person who embodies the spirit of Podhale with passion and heart.

Her commitment to promoting the Treasures of Podhale and Dziewięćsił is an expression of deep love for the region’s traditions, culture, and beauty.

Her work combines authenticity, creativity, and respect for heritage — inspiring others and transporting us into the magical world of Podhale.