Since the quarter of a century, the People's Team “Bolechowiczanie” has continuously maintained the musical, ceremonial and culinary heritage of the Świętokrzyskie region, becoming one of the most recognizable ambassadors of local culture. The band was formed on 11 June 2000 at the initiative of the ladies: Grażyna Tosnowiec and Jolanta Pyk, who invited to cooperate a member of the existing since 1973 Rural Housewives Circle in Bolechowice. From the first attempts, they were accompanied by the esteemed accordionist Tadeusz Krzysztofek, who was not only responsible for the musical side, but also taught voice issues, rhythmics, intonation, working with the microphone and dealing with stage fright.
The debut performance took place during the “Goodbyes of Summer” in Nowiny. In simple, white-black outfits and with great anxiety, “Bolechowiczanie” then opened a new chapter in the cultural life of the municipality. The band then counted 12 people – today it operates in a 16-member line-up and can boast numerous awards, hundreds of concerts and a permanent presence at artistic events in the region and beyond.
Here tradition has a voice
Over the years, the team's managers have changed, with Eugenia Lange, Wiesława Janus, and now Krystyna Barycka. Since 2007 music management belongs to Krzysztof Korban – from a family with musical, folk traditions distinguished accordionist, graduate of the Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw. He is the recipient of prestigious international and nationwide accordion competitions, including. in Castelfidardo, Italy and Sanoku, Gdańsk, Szczecin, Chełmie, Bydgoszcz and Przemyśl. Korban was also Minister of Culture and National Heritage scholarship in 1997, 2000 and 2005. In addition, as a soloist, he performed with the Baltic Opera Symphony Orchestra, the Świętokrzyska Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra and the Warsaw Young Orchestra “Sinfonia Artis”. His demanding yet inspiring approach led the band to develop repertoire and artistic level while maintaining an authentic, Świętokrzyski character.
“Bolechowiczanie” perform both traditional folk songs and forgotten Marian songs, Lent songs, canteens and carols found in old family hymn books. The band regularly performs during reviews of sacred songs, and also sings fixed parts of field mass in Tokarni. In addition to vocal repertoire, the band has its own ceremonial program “Cooking Bread”, which was developed as “Traditional bread baking rite” and was presented, among others, in the Kielce Village Museum (in Tokarnia in 2021 and 2021) and in cultural institutions (e.g. DK Piekoszów).
Popular not only in music – also in taste and crafts
“Bolechowiczanie” are also known for their crafts and culinary activities. They create traditional ornaments from crepe, flowers and decorations, and their regional dishes receive distinctions – including during Pieroga Festival in Bobrzy or competitions accompanying the Tokarni Farm Fairs. The team communicates knowledge of past customs to younger generations, conducting meetings in kindergartens, schools, social services and sanatoriums.
The team also actively participates in numerous festivals, fairs or fairs and charitable actions. It also works with Foundations. They can most often be found at the Kielce Village Museum and Dworku Dziszczyków, where many events, celebrations and events are celebrated with their presence.
The presence of “Bolechowiczan” is a permanent element of events organized by the commune Nowiny, the Kielce district and cultural institutions of the Świętokrzyskie voivodship, but also festivals throughout Poland and abroad.
A team that “saves from forgetting”
The mission of “Bolechowiczan” from the beginning is to preserve and spread what is most valuable in regional culture – music, noise, songs, culinary traditions and rites. 25 years of activity is not only a beautiful story, but above all a lively passion that inspires subsequent generations.
🎥 We encourage you to watch the film prepared by Przemysław Harczuk, showing the team's activities from the perspective of stage, stage and daily rehearsals.