It’s become a tradition in Kraków that August provides a welcome break from the intensity of festivals. This summer month is the best time of year to recharge our batteries during holidays or day trips with its enticing sunshine and greenery. And even though the pace of cultural events slows down somewhat, many of them move to the great outdoors. Kraków’s parks come to life: under the banners “Green Kraków”, “Kraków Picnic” and “Boulev(Art)” we can discover their charms and contemplate nature, as well as partaking of leisure activities, concerts and food tastings.
The most important event of August – the star-studded Kraków Live Festival – is held outdoors in the beautiful setting of the former airfield. This massive attack of pop music is balanced by concerts held in often unexpected places: Wawel Castle courtyards host the “Wawel at Dusk” Festival, and the Basilica of St Mary opens its doors to fans of organ music. The celebrated “Music in Old Cracow” Festival captivates with its repertoire, performers and treasures of old music, while the Pierogi Festival and the Folk Art Fair take us to the roots of local culture with plenty of delicious flavours and colours! And will there be time for a little madness? Not just a little – Capella Cracoviensis has had the crazy idea to perform all of Beethoven’s symphonies in just one day.
August: lush greenery and plenty of music!
In this issue:
- The event recalls and co-creates the city’s great musical traditions. The 41st “Music in Old Cracow” Festival is here! read more
- This year’s Kraków Live Festival is a perfect opportunity to spend time with top performers from the scenes of alternative rock, electronica, pop and reggae. On 19 and 20 August, many musical dreamliners land at the Polish Aviation Museum airfield. read more
- Concerts, dances, walking tour, outdoor activities, cross-training, workshops, picnics and many other attractions - parks in Krakow holiday will become a real center of fun and relaxation. The campaign “Green Kraków”, inaugurated in July, continues on all Saturdays throughout August. read more
- Were he still alive, he would be turning 70 this year. His music continues to captivate with its virtuosity, depth and intensity. Born in Kraków, Zbigniew Seifert quickly joined the pantheon of world jazz stars. The 2nd International Zbigniew Seifert Jazz Competition pays homage to the “Paganini of jazz”. read more
- This month we let ourselves be seduced by the alluring habanera, the passionate Argentinian tango and the fiery flamenco! The 17th "Cracovia Danza" Court Dance Festival takes us on a journey beyond the ocean, to South America. read more
- Traditional – with potato and cheese, cabbage and mushrooms or strawberries – or something more exotic? During the Pierogi Festival, we’ll discover this year’s contenders for the statuettes of St Jacek with Pierogi and King Casimir the Great. read more
- “Until now, no orchestra working today has taken on a challenge on this scale and engaging the musicians and the public to this extent,” admits Capella Cracoviensis. Get ready for Beethoven Extreme: one day, one genius and nine symphonies! read more
