There is an amphitheatre on the slopes of Hedgehog Mountain (Góra Jeżowa) where the Appletree Blossom Feast has been annually organised since 1947. As the name suggests, the Feast is organised in May when orchards are in bloom, changing the land of Łącko into the stuff of which fairytales are made.

Early events were organised in the picturesque setting of apple orchards owned by residents of Łącko or Czerniec. In the years 1949-69, the Feast was held in Stanisław Sopata’s orchard in Czerniec. Already then, guests used to arrive from all over the country, the event usually stretched over two days.

What it used to be...
This is how representative of the Municipal Centre of Culture in Łącko Bernadetta Wąchała-Gawełek describes former Feast celebrations:

“On day one, conferences and horticulturists’ meetings with scientists and local authorities would be held. Horticultural and garden appliance shows would be organised, dovetailing with the finale of a tourist rally. Day two, Sunday, would be all about artistic recitals, including performances by regional ensembles from across the Małopolska voivodship. The Feast would be a backdrop for folk poets – such as Stanisław Klimek from Zabrzeż and Stanisław Wąchała from Łącko – reciting their works. Ensemble performances were accompanied by air shows put together by the Podhale Aeroclub, and by gymnastic routines presented by pupils of the Agricultural Accounting School in Marcinkowice. Street runs and firefighter contests were introduced in later years. People would swarm in for evening folk dances.

…and what it is now:

The event at the woodland amphitheatre has been organised since the 1970s. Just like in the early days, it is a two-day programme, Sunday considered the main day. The Apple Blossom Mountain Run, angling contest on the River Dunajec, firefighter shows, flower and shrubbery shows, horticulture conference, and General Assembly of Friends of the Land of Łącko are all held on Saturday, a famous artist or cabaret arriving that evening. The day closes with a dance.

Sunday begins with celebratory church service. After mass, regional ensembles and brass bands gather near the church with their beautifully dressed horses and carriages. The colourful parade then proceeds to the Amphitheatre on Hedgehog Mountain, to the accompaniment of marching bands and folk ensembles. When asked to comment on their impressions, tourists attending mass expressed their delight with “the celebratory service, magnificently dressed horses and carriages, and people in regional attire”.

Once the parade reaches the amphitheatre, the artistic part of the agenda begins, the house full of people from the region and more distant locations, and some from all over Poland. Master of Ceremony for the entire two-day Feast Bernadetta Wąchała-Gawełek begins by introducing special key guests, to then announce performances by regional ensembles and bands. The event traditionally opens with the Bugle Call of Łącko played by the Tadeusz Moryto Brass Band directed by Stanisław Strączek, Ph.D. Hab. A unique concert by the Band follows, their repertoire extraordinarily varied: folk and classical music as well as popular tunes, the performance world-class. Recitals by regional ensembles follow, musicians – mainly children – hailing from i.a. Maszkowice, Łącko, Zagorzyn and Czarny Potok. They deliver artistic programmes each year, invariably moving their audiences who applaud the small fry and their wonderful dance and instrumental delivery. “I am thrilled that regional traditions are kept alive in our area, and that children are brought on board,” said a woman loudly applauding the performance of a regional ensemble including five- and six-year-old artists. The Appletree Blossom Feast welcomes many ensembles and bands with older performers as well.

The recital programme ends at noon, the afternoon schedule including shows by music bands, a cabaret, and popular Polish artists. Just like on Saturday, a well-known band or singer appears on stage later in the evening. “I have been coming here regularly for seven years now,” said Anna from Wrocław. “I was originally told about the Feast by my daughter-in-law Marysia who visited the region. She attended the Feast once, and praised it to high heaven. I decided to find out whether it is as wonderful as she claimed – and it was! This is why I always come here in apple blossom season.” Another tourist told us, “These two-day celebrations are a great incentive to visit your region and enjoy local landscapes not only during the event, but year-round. When I came here for the first time, I quickly found out what’s worth visiting, and all about the interesting things your town and neighbourhood have to offer.”. Józef, a tourist from Silesia we talked to during the event, said: ”I have been coming to the region in other seasons with my grandchildren, and I adore the place. We sightsee and marvel at landscapes. I simply love coming here. The Feast is the very essence of the region, a great opportunity to learn a lot about local highlander culture”. Józef’s wife, who had been standing next to him and listening, added, ”I had no idea that highlander culture was so varied. I really like seeing it continued and presented during these days in May. Though originally from Silesia, I know little about Silesian traditions or customs. Few people remember. Here, the municipality and people are making sure that highlander culture doesn’t vanish altogether. It’s a great initiative.” The whole event closes with a dance, people dancing to highlander tunes as long as legs carry them.

Guests arriving from other regions admired regional Łącko highlander attire. Most folk costume owners wear them on Feast day. Notably, local folk dress has been evolving over time. Performers usually appear on stage in more recent costume. Men’s attire includes i.a. a shell-adorned hat. Shirts are made of homespun linen cloth. Trousers with parzenica embroidery and stylised moccasins made from a single leather piece (kierpce) are indispensable to White highlander regional attire. Women’s costume includes a bodice, skirt, shirt, kierpce, and the obligatory red beads.

Foreign guests on the Łącko stage

Inviting befriended foreign regional ensembles to the Feast has become a tradition. Łącko has already welcomed ensembles from Denmark, Russia, Slovakia, Estonia and Hungary. The event itself is organised by the Municipal Centre of Culture, with backing from local authorities of the Łącko municipality. The Feast itself is hugely popular, not only with local residents. I have seen people arrive from all over Poland – and from abroad. Japanese tourists were the ones joining us from the farthest corner of the world.

For years, these two days in May have been an excellent opportunity to promote the lands of Łącko and Nowy Sącz, their culture and produce, Łącko slivovitz included. The event includes exhibitions of art by folk artists – local painters, embroiderers and sculptors – the beauty of their art irresistible to the gaze. Regional dish stands are abundant at the foot of Hedgehog Mountain. They offer traditional specialties, including cabbage mushroom buns, prune dumplings, and pea-and-cabbage stew. A small fair with fun rides awaits the youngest fry.

Orchards in legend

Where have all the orchards come from? Legend has it that a former Łącko parish priest came up with the idea of his parishioners planting one apple tree for each of their sins, rather than rattling off a string of Hail Marys. Obliging congregants kept planting fruit trees, trusting that each tree would count as a good deed. Thanks to the resourceful priest, Łącko has gained hundreds of thousands of fruit trees.

Appletree Blossom Feast guests have been arriving to Łącko in ever-growing numbers. Early attendance counts suggested between five and seven thousand – this year, we hit ten thousand visitors. The Feast is becoming increasingly popular over the years, and we have not heard a single negative comment so far.

Most of our stage performers attend a regime of year-round preparations. Children’s regional ensembles at schools in the Łącko municipality are learning to dance, sing, and play musical instruments, planning the following year’s recital.

Everyone, regardless of age, can find something at the Feast to call their own. It is also a great opportunity to promote the region, and get to know it better. The event offers better exposure to our culture to people flocking in from distant parts of the country, as proven by conversations we have had with aforesaid interlocutors, all of whom charmed by the Feast.

The Feast is a major item on our municipality’s calendar of traditions, one of the many events keeping our folklore alive and beautifully cherished. Its importance is enhanced by the fact that people across Poland are unfamiliar with their local dialect and heritage – and have no idea what their folk attire looks like.

Tourists enjoy the event’s ambience, and feel good at the Feast. They claim that the locals are frank and friendly, making for a cosy – some even say “homey” – atmosphere. It is also a great family time opportunity.

“I really hope to see you at our next Appletree Blossom Feast edition,” says Bernadetta Wąchała-Gawełek, “So that everyone can experience it for him- or herself.”

- Kamila Tomasiak