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From the Alps to the north slopes of Carpathian Mountains the sound of trombita can be heard wherever shepherds spend months with their flocks in high mountains. It is an unusual instrument: a hard to play, few meters long pipe (still, the Beskidy highlanders know haw to do it!). However its prolonged, low tone could be heard for centuries in the mountains informing fellow-shepherds of each flock’s whereabouts. As we can hear, trombita did not disappear from the mountains after mobile phones were introduced.
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Trains of Gypsy wagons have roamed Poland since the Middle Ages. Officially, their main occupation in the south of Poland was smithery and music. Vita brevis, ars longa: most of the Roma people have been compelled to settle, smithery sank into oblivion, but the music still remains the community’s living culture and pride. Today, when Gypsies are once again able to travel their endless routes, their music can be heard everywhere. And even though the violin is no longer popular in musicians’ hands, its wistful sound and frantic virtuosity conveys the archetypal soul of a Gypsy lifestyle.
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Although the Krakow district of Kazimierz, for centuries a separate Jewish town, reigns over all places related with Jews, Malopolska abounds in former sztetlech, some of which, like Bobowa, due to their schools, synagogues and eminent members of the Chassidic movement, forever remain part of history of Jewish culture and religiousness. Music is the most popular part of this culture today, as it speaks to everyone, regardless of their knowledge of Jews. The clarinet is one of its most traditional instruments; however, contemporary Jewish music takes on various sound forms, such as jazz and even rock. Kazimierz, a fantastic district full of bars and colourful tenements, is again its European capital. Once again we can meet Chassids with their black coats, hats and sidelocks (even if just visiting, they feel at home here); tourists also wear yarmulkes which they forgot to take off after leaving one of the synagogues, and crowds of multi-lingual guests enjoy themselves most by listening to the sounds of klezmer music.
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Highland folklore has fascinated lowland Poles for over a century. Szymanowski’s music as well as Zakopane style of architecture and ornamenting were born out of this fascination. Even today the highland culture remains the most unique and alive folk culture in Poland. Every second mountain village has its own festival, all of them have traditional music bands and dance groups, and keep forming new ones! Highland world displays no signs of dawning; highlanders remain proud and show it in songs such as the one sung by Krościenko inhabitants. The rapid river of Dunajec flows by this town, rinsing the foot of proud tops Trzy Korony, which is where highlanders provide tourists with unforgettable rafting adventure.