Traditional Rękawka Festival

Since 2000, the ‘Krak’ Vistula Warrior Troop, ‘Podgórze’ Cultural Center and District XIII Council have been organizing Rękawka on the first day after Easter, returning to its Slavic roots.

At the invitation of the organizers, historical reconstruction groups and craftsmen from all over southern Poland come to the Krakus Mound. Thanks to them, one can see what life looked like in early medieval settlements, reconstructions of rites related to Rękawka tradition (lighting a sacred fire, throwing eggs and cakes from the Krakus Mound, warriors’ run around the Mound), genre scenes depicting life in medieval Małopolska, historical crafts demonstrations (blacksmithing, weaving, rope-making, salt brewing, herbalism), early music concerts, shows of strength and fencing skills, spectacular battles.

Traditional Rękawka Festival on Krakus Mound 2023:

On the program:

11.30 | Entry of warriors to the Krakus Mound
12.00 | Rite of kindling fire on Krakus Mound
12.30 | Running of warriors in full armament around the Mound
13.00 | Presentation of arriving teams
14.00 | Staging “The battle of old gods with new ones”.
15.00 | Divination of auspiciousness for the city of Cracow
15.30 | Battle of the warriors: newly arrived Vistula settlers versus the settlers, that is, the duel of the old order with the new (with participation of Slavic gods)
4:30 pm | Staging “The legend about Lech, Czech and Rus – the Krakow version”.
17.00 | Concert of the Give Fire band – medieval music.
17.30 | Staging “Tryzna – early Slavic burial”.

In addition:

– Slavic settlement (historical camp)
– Fair of arts, crafts and traditional dishes
– Palisade building
– Slavic stowaways urging people to settle in the new settlement
– Charms where defeated deities will deceive newcomers
– A pre-Christian temple (Gontyna)
– Children’s play zone “Czędowe igry” (12:00-17:00)
– Sales booth with official Rękawka gadgets
– Podgórze Cultural Center stand
– The XIII Podgórze District Council stand

Thematic booth of the Archaeological Museum in Cracow
– exhibition
– trivia related to archaeological research carried out on Krakus Mound
– activities for children: crosswords, quizzes, educational coloring books, competitions with prizes

Attractions prepared by the Museum of Krakow – Podgórze Museum:
– 12:00 | Guided tour of the exhibition “Exhibition under the Krakus Mound” at the Museum of Podgórze (51 B. Limanowskiego St.) – guided by Anna Warzecha and Jakub Jastrzębski, tour included in the exhibition ticket price (1 zloty)
– 14.00 | “Two Sleeves” walk (meeting at the stand of the Museum of Krakow – Museum of Podgórze at the Sleeve Festival at Kopiec Krakusa), guided by: Melania Tutak (Museum of Podgórze)
– godz. 15.00 | Presentation “Rękawka na dawnej fotografii” (conference room at Podgórze Museum, 51 B. Limanowskiego St.), conducted by: Dr. Robert Gaweł – participation included in the price of the exhibition ticket (PLN 1)

Location: Krakus Mound, Krakow, Poland
Date: 11.04.2023
Start: from 11:30 am to 6:00 pm
ADMISSION FREE

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