In the former Eastern Bloc countries, including Poland, folk ensembles were extremely popular during the communist era. Membership in a song and dance ensemble offered both artistic development through learning and performing songs and dances from various regions and opportunities for international travel, including trips beyond the Iron Curtain, which were otherwise difficult to achieve. These ensembles operated under state patronage, belonging to workplaces, company clubs, and cultural centers.
The fall of communism and the 1990s, a period of nascent democracy in Poland, cast doubt on the continued existence of these groups. The opening of borders expanded opportunities for artists who had grown weary of folklore after years of communist dominance. Ensembles faced financial, staffing, and infrastructural challenges.
Currently, there is a resurgence of interest in folklore, especially among youth who are joining these groups. Folklore among contemporary adolescents, raised in a democratic, capitalist society, is experiencing a sort of renaissance. Teenagers not only develop their artistic passions but also forge friendships and build a sense of identity while showcasing Polish culture. Song and dance ensembles are now one of the most refined educational tools.
During the conference, I aim to present this cultural phenomenon as a pathway to defining identity. Membership in a folk ensemble represents a response to globalization and the quest for personal identity among 21st-century youth, raised away from communist associations. My goal is to present my PhD research findings on the internal motivations and identification with folk ensembles among adolescent members on the international stage.

Authors:
Izabela Andrzejak, University of Warsaw, Poland

About the Presenter(s)
Izabela Andrzejak, PhD Student. The title of my PhD Project: "Folk Song and Dance Ensembles as an Interpretation of Poland's Musical and Dance Heritage - Historical, Social, and Cultural Conditions Ilustrated by Selected Formations"

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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