Concerts and events accompanying the Congress:
The very high artistic standard maintained by the Ensemble has brought it recognition throughout the world, numerous awards and honours. Among others a Silesian Music and Art Award, an Honorary Diploma from the US President and a Diploma of Recognition from the USSR Culture Ministry.
"Śląsk" has performed in such countries as: Algeria, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Greece, Spain, Holland, Hong-Kong, Israel, Yugoslavia, Canada, Korea, Mongolia, Mexico, Norway, Romania, Tunisia, the USA, Hungary, the UK, Italy and the USSR.
Entertainment show: mining traditions and a traditional miner initiation rite (called „jump over a leather apron")
„The jump over a leather apron" is an initiation rite for young miners (foxes) accepted into the Miners' Guild. It took place in a pub during a beer shift. The neophytes were led, singing, by a "fox-major" before a committee of experienced diggers, or "old thatches".
After an examination the candidate performed a jump over a leather apron and was dubbed a miner. He was then led to the feast table by a "beer father". The leather apron was the most important symbol of, and attribute to a miner's outfit. The miner would kneel upon it when he had to work in such a position; he covered himself with it when water poured from the roof; sat on it when he was eating; and even his wages were placed on the leather.
"The leather" became the symbol of the mining profession. The ceremony of dubbing novice miners has always been a very solemn one. The tradition has been cultivated and, nowadays, the rite is performed as part of the St Barbara Day Festivities (their patron's feast day).
In the Copper Basin, the rites are usually performed at Beer Festivals or street performances taking place in mining towns. The ceremony ends with the singing of the Miners' Anthem.
Parade of The Miners Wind Orchestras
The "Mining traditions and a traditional miner initiation rite - jump over a leather apron" entertainment show will be preceded by the parade of the miners' wind orchestras. The miner's work was always accompanied by orchestral music, also played during the important miners' holidays, anniversaries and funeral ceremonies.
fot. Miners orchestra KWK Halemba in Ruda Śląska
(fot. PAP / Andrzej Grygiel)
The idea behind the parade of the miners wind orchestras on the Krakow Main Square is to show the miners' traditions accompanied by the music played by the wind orchestras.
The presentation and parade of the miners' wind orchestras, held on the Main Square is scheduled for the same afternoon. The program of the parade includes the march through the city streets and concerts presenting the achievements of the particular orchestras, held at the stage built especially for the event. The parade will begin at 3 pm and it shall finish by 7 pm. At that time the procession shall leave the Auditorium Maximum and advance to the Main Square, where the "Mining traditions and a traditional miner initiation rite - jump over a leather apron" entertainment show will be held.
Initially we received confirmation from 10 mining orchestras. Those will be the best orchestras of the Kompania Węglowa, Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa, Katowicki Holding Węglowy, ZG „Bolesław", KGHM Polska Miedź SA, Salt Mine in Wieliczka and Salt Mine in Bochnia.
Farewell Concert
