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Like in the past, wandering comedians will come to Krakow soon, tumblers, troubadours, loiterers, merchants and stall-keepers from distant lands to take part in St John’s Fair organised within the domain of Wianki [Midsummer’s Night] in Krakow. A journey to the medieval town, its customs, traditions, craft, dances and revelry await all those who come from Wednesday (23 June) to Sunday (27 June) to the Czerwieński Boulevard.

Merchants will spread their goods at Wawel in wooden stalls or thick canvas tents. The guests will be greeted by the city’s host with a pageant of pages and ladies, and nuns from Tyniec will arrive on raft boats with beer and honey.

World famous artist Lenny Kravitz will perform in Poland on 20th June in Krakow. The musician, who promotes his (eighth studio) album It is time for love revolution will perform on stage by the side of the Vistula river during Wianki – a traditional open-air event referring to the celebration of St John’s Night. Admission to the concert will be free.

The 2008 Edition was exceptional. The audience gathered on Vistula Boulevards listened to the concert of the outstanding British band Jamiroquai, which was the main star of the evening. Polish performers also appeared: Smolik, Novika, Bisquit, Mosqitoo, Loco Star and June. It couldn’t go without a spectacular pyrotechnical show.

For one, inimitable night, Krakow lived on the music from the 80s, and the Vistula Boulevards by Wawel transformed into the largest disco of the world. Stars from that period appeared – both Polish and international – with their greatest hits.

The star of Wianki was the legendary British group Marillion. Established in 1979, Marillion is a band representing the genre of progressive rock. It created its own, original sound, at the same time becoming an inspiration for other musicians. The band has recorded over 20 albums, among which, its most popular hits are Kayleigh, Lavender and Incommunicado.

The stars of the event, which broadcast was conducted by TVP 2, were musicians from the band Budka Suflera and their guests: the band Bracia, Krystyna Prońko, Izabela Trojanowska, Patrycja Gola, Felicjan Andrzejczak and Sebastian Riedel.

The audience could listen to the concerts of De Mono and Reni Jusis. The main attraction of the event was the dance show Opentaniec.

The form of the event has been extended – shows last from the morning also encompassing the space of the Old Town, Nowa Huta (a block of events by the bay) and going outside Krakow (fair in Tyniec). From the afternoon hours, historical streets around Mount Wawel (Grodzka, Kanonicza, Senacka, Poselska, Podzamcze) have been seized by merchants, students and artists. The artistic fair, medieval market, holiday of Poselska Street – these were only some of the attractions. An entire block of events, called St John’s Fair, went on for two days.

During Wianki 2002, there were fireworks, but also real fire, as it was the main motive of the great show directed by Jerzy Kalina. The band Myslovitz and Renata Przemyk performed.