Events in Zakopane – important and interesting in October.

Anyone who thinks that Zakopane is dying immediately “after the season” when the crowd of holiday guests leaves the city – is wrong. Admittedly, children must go to school, students to universities, the day is shorter and temperature lower – the summer is definitely over. But, in Zakopane there is no season boring or ugly and many events are organized especially in autumn, which creates a beautiful background for the unique buildings and streets and puts people in a good mood with their beauty.

In Zakopane, one of the facilities playing a big role of a cultural center is Kino Sokół. (Cinema Sokol). Not only film screenings take place, but also concerts. An investment aimed at improving acoustics for concert purposes has been considered for years, and it would be a significant step in the cultural development of the town.

Let’s take a look at the most interesting events that await guests in Zakopane in October. Maybe one of them will be an impulse to spontaneously pack and go to the Tatras? Or maybe it is worth planning the next year’s holiday just at the turn of summer and autumn? This year autumn is exceptionally beautiful and warm, but it is a rule at all, that the same as the Zakopane people have to wait long for the arrival of spring, then they enjoy almost summer weather when in other parts of the country rain and wind become everyday life.

Of course, not the full offer is available in English or other languages (excepting Polish). But still it is worth to go to a concert, to see an exhibition or movie with English subtitles.

October 18-21. Maciej Berbeka Festival “Inspired by the mountains”.

The seventh edition of the festival – established to celebrate the granting of municipal rights to Zakopane in 1933 – takes place under the slogan “mountains.” It parades the creativity of artists from various fields – poetry, painting, film, music – who are inspired by the mountains, their mysticism and beauty.

The first day will begin in Czerwony Dwor – at 4:00 pm there will be a vernissage of the painting exhibition of the Konsuela Madejska-Turska, at 5:00 pm a lecture by Adam Brzoza and Julita Chudko entitled “Highlights of the mountains” devoted to mountain photography. At 7:00 pm, an outdoor exhibition of Marek Kalmus’ paintings “Tibet painted” will be opened on Krupówki next to a water hole. At the end of an eventful day, it is worth going at 8:00 pm for “Dreamland” to “Kino Miejsce” (Cinema Place) at 2 Orkana Street. This is a document shot by Staszek Berbeka about his father Maciej – the patron of the festival, a well-known and liked person in Zakopane. The show will take place with the participation of the creator, who will certainly not avoid, like during the premiere, talks with the spectators. This is a must for all those who love the mountains and that were devastated by the untimely death of our excellent climber on Broad Peak. Also for those who would like to learn more about this wonderful family form Zakopane, presented in a warm and engaging way in the movie.

The Witkacy Theater attracts not only with wonderful performances, but also with a unique atmosphere that we feel when approaching the building. It is a true temple of art, known to all Zakopane people, also as a venue for concerts.

On the second day of the festival, quite interesting may be participation in the outdoor artistic photography workshops led by the authors of the lecture from the previous day – the start is at 8.00 am. From 5:00 pm the festival moves to the Witkacy Theater. At the beginning will take place a presentation of the reprint of the chronicle of Zakopane in the theater café. Then you will be able to admire an exhibition of works by a recently deceased artist connected with the theater as a stage designer for many years – and privately Maciej Berbeka’s wife – Ewa Dyakowska Berbeka. The exhibition is entitled “Ewa on the way”. At 7:30 pm the spectacle “Wanda” will be performed by the Polish Theater from Bielsko-Biala. Free invitations can be downloaded at zakopane.pl/zaproszenia.

The third day of the festival takes place at the “Sokol” Cinema in Zakopane. At 4:00 pm, a summary of the project “Zakopane yesterday, today and tomorrow” of the Pura Vida association – for those who are interested in the development and transformation of the city. And at 5:00 pm performance of the band Carrantuohill, which will present the music and dance program ‘In Irish rhythm’. The band was already a guest in Zakopane and was warmly welcomed, so it is a next opportunity to see and hear it. You should also download free invitations for this concert.

Plac Niepodleglosci (Independence Square) – located in the very center of the city. Summer cinema shows, festivities, flea markets, parades, open-air performances – there is no better place for them. An additional attraction is the beautiful view of mountain range Orla Perc.

The last day is a traditional Holy Mass for the residents of Zakopane, which traditionally graces
celebrating of the important ceremonies. It will start at 3:00 pm and will be followed by a recital of soprano Joanna Albrzykowska-Clifford, accompanied by Andrzej Guziak. Mass and concert will take place at the Sanctuary of the Holy Family on Krupowki Street.

October 12-16. Another edition of a regular event at the Witkacy Theater, Zakopane Artistic Presentations “Pepek Swiata” (“The Navel of the World”).

Numerous events, connected by a question about the meaning of creativity, which is the theme of this year’s edition. Apart from the hosts, the Witkacy Theater, performances will be presented by: Mogilev Theater, Belarussian Theater, Plexus Polaire Theater from France/Norway and the Capitol Musical Theater from Wroclaw. Lectures related to the theme of the festival will be given by dr Michal Klinger, dr Rafal Czekaj, Paula Milczarczyk and a special guest – Jerzy Skolimowski.
During “Navel of the world” also concerts will take place. Emilia “EMiliYAH” Witkiewicz & The MightyZ All Stars, as well as Teresa Mirga and Kałe Bała will sing. In addition to the theater, at “Kino Miejsce”, Orkana 2 Street, the movies by Ingmar Bergman, Stanley Kubrick, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Jerzy Skolimowski will be presented. All days of the Presentation are held workshops: “Vibrational Nature of the Universe” conducted by Dr. Sylwia Nadgrodkiewicz, as well as “Workshops of creative creation through movement and body awareness”, whose coach is Anita Podkowa. In the foyer of the Theater you can admire the collages of Ewa Dyakowska-Berbeka.
Traditionally, part of the presentation is a trip to the mountains, this year you can go with a guide to the Zielony Staw Kiezmarski. Details of the whole event, participation conditions – can be found on the website http://www.witkacy.pl/aktualnosci/archiwum/187-program-pepek-swiata-2018

17-31 October. Destination – Restauration!

Monument of King Wladyslaw Jagiello. Located on Independence Square. On the occasion of celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Independence of Poland, it is worth mentioning old history in which Poles lost their sovereignty and had to fight for it.

For the very first time, Podhale and Zakopane will participate in the project “Destination – Restauration!” which gives an unusual possibility to visit 8 among the best restaurations of the region in Zakopane itself and in 4 other next to the town. The idea of the festival is to discover various corners of the world through cuisine and culinary traditions. You need to book a table earlier. Every details and profiles of restaurants you can find on website: https://restaurantweek.pl/. The site unfortunately is only in Polish but using web translator you shouldn’t have serious problems. Here you will find a short explanation of the rules of Festival taken from website of organizers:
Online reservation on www.restaurantweek.pl
The highest level of restaurations
Three-course experience. A spectacular festival menu: starter, main course, dessert.
Festival price PLN 49. The best opportunity to try new tastes, cuisine and restaurants with your friends.
Eight guest gratis. Sociability is healthy! Invite your friends – celebrate together at an even better price!
90 minutes – that’s the time of reservation! Your time is 90 minutes. After your time the next guests will be waiting. It’s equal opportunity for your dream restaurant experience, opportunities for everyone.
To find restaurant first you need to choose the region “Podhale” and then use the function in menu “Wyszukiwarka restauracji”( restaurant search engine).

By taking part in the project you can also win valuable prizes. For instance fly tickets and dinner in Los Angeles, in three-stars restaurant in Michelin rank. All you need to do is go to Restaurant Week and put the photo in accordance with the instructions waiting in the restaurant.
About restaurants in Zakopane – also those that were not selected to participate in the above project, but recommendable – you can read in the article “Zakopane – bon appétit!”

19-27 October. Jubilee 20th edition of the Zakopane Academy of Art.

Established by Marek Markowicz 20 years ago, master courses dedicated to classical music, today, after his death, are organized by his wife Barbara Markowicz and son Marcin Markowicz, excellent violinist, Artistic Director of the International Chamber Music Festival in Ksiaz, composer, concertmaster of the National Forum of Music in Wrocław. Courses, this year conducted by excellent pedagogues and artists – violinists Szymon Krzeszowiec, and Marcin Baranowski, as well as cellist Tomasz Strahl – each year attract to the Tatras a group of exceptionally musically talented youth, people who want to work on music interpretations but also familiarize themselves of highland music, traditions, architecture and of course with mountains. There would be no courses without the participation of special guests, chummy with the festival – an outstanding composer Krzysztof Meyer and his wife, well-known musicologist Danuta Gwizdalanka. They will give lectures, the same like the regular academy guest, physiotherapist Krzysztof Gieremek. A special attraction will be a meeting with the Austrian pianist, Paul Gulda, a long-time lecturer of Zakopane courses. Although you cannot attend masterclasses with professors, it is worth going to the concerts – a part of the Academy. The inaugural concert will take place on October 21 at the Miejska Galeria Sztuki (Municipal Art Gallery) at Krupowki Street. The Silesian Quartet will perform, one of the best chamber ensembles in the country, with the participation of prof. Tomasz Strahl. From 24 to 27 October the concerts will be held every day at 6:00 pm in various locations – the Karol Szymanowski Museum in the Villa “Atma”, the Gallery of Wladysław Hasior and the Municipal Art Gallery. Admission to concerts is free. A detailed program of the Zakopane Academy of Art can be read at the following link: http://zakartacademy.info/program-edycji-2018/

Not everybody can get to the Municipal Art Gallery without any difficulty. In the middle of Krupowki street, on the right side, looking down the promenade, on the corner next to the Zapiecek restaurant there is a building visible in the picture. The entrance to the Gallery, the place of many exhibitions, meetings and concerts, is on the side of the tenement house.

October 27. Relay Race. 100 km for the 100th of Independence.

Stadium race of 10-people relay on a distance of 100 km, and the course of the open relay race with the flag for all those who, together with their runs at a distance of at least 400 m, celebrate the 100th anniversary of Polish independence. It is also a promotion of the idea of a healthy lifestyle, family sports activity and integration – that is so present in the life of city residents. The organizer is the HANDICAP Foundation in Zakopane. Information is available at www.mosir.zakopane.eu. Registration of children, young people and adults for “relay with a flag” on a regular basis, before the race. Organizer’s page: https://www.handicap-zakopane.pl

October 31. Theater Staging “The Republic of Zakopane”.

On Plac Niepodleglosci (Independence Square) in the center of Zakopane, directly at noon, an outdoor theater staging will be commemorating the event in the history of the town – the proclamation of independence in Galicia, which took place exactly 100 years earlier, on 31.X 1918. According to this document, on November 1, the National Council composed of representatives of all social strata, headed by great Polish writer Stefan Zeromski, was constituted in Zakopane.