News

As usual during Wianki we invite you to take part in a contest for the most beautiful garland of 2009. We invite everyone who would like to participate in St. John’s celebrations to come on 20th June 2009 to the Vistula River Bank (Bulwary Wiślane) in the area of St. John’s fair, next to Jock the Dog’s monument (pomnik psa Dżoka). Bring your garland between 12:00 pm and 2 pm. The contest application form can be downloaded here or filled in the place of the contest. The Contest Committee consider the following criteria when selecting laureates: the project’s aesthetics, the originality of the concept with reference to the tradition of the St. John’s celebrations and the artistic means used. The results of the contest will be announced on 20th June at 3:00 pm. The prizes are the following: branded watches, dinner for two in one of Krakow’s restaurants and a set of gadgets and T-shirts.

The night of Kupała is famous for the tradition of throwing garlands into the water, which has survived until this day. Reading the garlands, the symbol of maidenhood, was probably a separate tradition to St. John’s Night and belonged exclusively to maidens and bachelors, as it referred to getting married and long-awaited love. During this magic night girls plaited garlands and let them go on the river - this was an attempt to foresee whether a girl would get married soon or remain a spinster. At first garlands were made from straw adorned with fresh flowers; before they were put into the water the straw was set on fire. Later, girls started to weave their garlands out of herbs and wild flowers and put candles in. A St. John’s bouquet would consist of seven magical plants. sagebrush, sundew, salvia, burdock, rue, Aaron’s rod and St. John’s wort. They were supposed to drive away evil spirits, protect against illness and guarantee good marriage. If the garland floated evenly on the water and the candle burnt with a light flame, or if it was picked out of water by the beloved one, it was a good omen. If the garland spun around, did not float off the river bank, got tangled in water plants or sank, this was a prophecy of love troubles, sadness, misfortune, love’s end or even death. For the young this night was sometimes the only opportunity to choose a partner without matchmaking or yielding to their parent’s will. Today nobody takes the fortune-telling seriously any more and it is treated more like a source of fun.


See the contest regulations.

View also:

• A new record by Pablopavo out in November
  
  Added: Friday, 4 November 2011
• Lenny Kravitz to play in The Hunger Games
  
  Added: Monday, 10 October 2011
• Lenny Kravitz on his new album Black And White America
  
  Added: Monday, 22 August 2011