Festival of the Children of Mountains - International Festival of Children’s Folk Ensembles

The main goal of the Festival of the Children of Mountains organized since 1992 is popularization of unique and living elements of traditional cultures on the international area, both by scenic and off-stage form of activities. The Festival’s formula is included in its name. Children’s regional groups from mountain areas of all continents can take part in the event. The choice of mountain cultures determines the fact that the festival takes place in the Polish Carpathian area. Six Polish and six foreign groups are invited to take part in the event, in total of 500 children between the ages of 7 and 14. Polish and foreign children are matched in bilateral partnerships (so-called comrade pairs), they are accommodated together and have integration activities and implement joint stay program. During the Festival week each pair has its “national day,” during which they are the “star” of the concerts . This unique formula makes the Festival of the Children of Mountains a place of having fun together, during which children have the chance to get acquainted with the richness culture and folk traditions of different parts of the world, learn tolerance and respect in relation to cultural, religious and moral dissimilarities of different nations. The festival is also a place of cooperation and exchange of experiences of artistic directors and choreographers, an opportunity to get familiar with different ways of looking at children's folklore and methods of presenting it on the stage.