Culture and Diplomacy at the 74th Humanum Mazurkas Forum – Meeting of the Chinese Ambassador with Polish Folklore

The artists captivated the audience with two spectacular concerts "Z tańcem po kraj" and "Folk Solution".

The first part of the performance "Z tańcem po kraj" is a colourful spectacle that took the audience on a magical journey through the most beautiful dances from the band's repertoire in the artistic arrangement of Elwira Kamińska, Hanna Chojnacka, Władysław Stefanik and Juraj Kubanka. The band performed both regional dances with the representative "Trojak" or "Tańce podhalańskie", as well as Polish national dances, led by "Krakowiak" which concluded the entire concert. The artists performed in costumes from various regions of Poland.

The second part of the performance "Folk Solution" is a modern look at folklore, which is an attempt to answer questions about the position of folklore in the contemporary world. It was an extraordinary spectacle that combined electronic music and modern dance with Polish music and dance folklore. The premiere of "Folk Solution" directed by Michał Zubkov took place on July 31, 2021 during one of the largest and most popular electronic music festivals in Poland - Tauron Nowa Muzyka in Katowice. The concert was presented by the Band, among others, during performances in Japan.

In addition to unforgettable musical experiences, the participants of the event had the opportunity to admire inspiring painting exhibitions, which complemented the artistic atmosphere of the evening.

"My delights in nature" by Maria Dziopak - a series of landscapes reflecting the beauty of Polish nature, painted with extraordinary precision and sensitivity to detail. Maria Dziopak's work is appreciated by many art collectors. The artist has always been very active in exhibitions. She has participated in exhibitions in Germany, Egypt, Jordan, Portugal, Great Britain, the USA, Turkey, Russia, Norway and Italy, as well as in several exhibitions in Poland.

"Stairs" by Janusz Błaszczak - a metaphorical story about life's paths, climbing towards dreams and reflecting on transience. We will see a donkey, a rabbit, and an elephant's trunk. Good fun for kids. The author of the exhibition called it "Stairs" probably because each new painting is a proverbial staircase to climb. Janusz Błaszczak's paintings are decorative, they harmonize with modern design and contemporary architecture. The author presented them at many exhibitions in Poland, as well as in Hanover, New York, Johannesburg and at the Art Fair at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, in Trieste, Cologne and Stuttgart.

74 Forum Humanum Mazurkas was graced by the presence of exceptional honorary guests, including representatives of the world of diplomacy and culture: His Excellency Mr. SUN Linjiang — Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Poland, as well as Mrs. Bożena Żelazowska — Secretary of State in the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage

Forum Humanum Mazurkas is an original cultural initiative, organized since 2012, whose mission is to make art available to a wide audience on the principles of pro publico bono. Official website of the event: https://www.forumhumanummazurkas.pl

The initiators of the series are the presidents of the Mazurkas Group: Andrzej Bartkowski and Andrzej Hulewicz, laureates of, among others, the Honorary Badge "Meritorious for Polish Culture", awarded by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage Małgorzata Omilanowska for their contribution to the promotion of culture in Poland. Andrzej Bartkowski himself was awarded the Golden Cross of Merit by the President of the Republic of Poland Bronisław Komorowski for his contribution to the promotion of culture and the Silver Medal "Zasłużony Kulturze Gloria Artis" by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz.

The project, which takes place in the elegant interiors of the MCC Mazurkas Conference Centre & Hotel**** in Ożarów Mazowiecki, is a platform for promoting various forms of art - from music concerts, through theatre performances, opera performances, dance shows, to visual art exhibitions. All events are free and open to the public (over 700 seats), which distinguishes FHM on the cultural map of Poland.

"We would like to sensitize the authorities, local governments, priests and also mature entrepreneurs to these issues. Working for the benefit of art can be a great satisfaction, as well as a driving force for business. Let everyone do it as they can and as they know how - but let them try. This is a noble goal. This is a great value of our professional fulfillment. A cultural and humanistic challenge." - says the President of the Mazurkas Group, Andrzej Bartkowski.