The Polish Festival is coming back to Melbourne for its 22nd year. Head to Fed Square and celebrate Polish culture with a day of folk dancing, traditional costumes, food and a legendary trumpet performance that will take you to the heart of Kraków. The festival will take place on Sunday, November 15 from 10am to 5pm. Entry is free!
Polish Festival in Fed Square
One of the festival highlights is the Hejnał mariacki, or St. Mary’s Trumpet Call. In Kraków, a single trumpeter plays a tune from the tower of St. Mary’s Basilica, overlooking the Main Market Square. The musician plays it every hour, on the hour, facing north, south, east and west. But, the tune stops abruptly mid-note.
Back in medieval times, the trumpet was used to signal the opening and closing of the city gates at dawn and dusk, and was also used as a warning signal. Legend says that centuries ago, a watchman spotted enemy troops approaching the city during the Mongol invasion, and sounded the trumpet as a warning. But, before he could finish, an arrow struck him, cutting the melody short. Today, this unfinished trumpet call has become one of the most recognisable traditions in Kraków.
To honour this tradition, a musician will perform the Hejnał mariacki right here in Melbourne. The trumpeter will perform at the top of Transport, overlooking the Main Stage at 1pm.
More things to do
Listen to live music, and see six folk dance groups perform in colourful costumes. Then, try it out for yourself by taking part in a Polish Dance Workshop at 2:30pm.
Tuck into some yummy Polish cuisine while you’re at the festival, with plenty of pierogi, kielbasa, bigos, cakes, pastries and more. Grab a Polish beer from the Beer Garden and soak in the spring sunshine and the festival atmosphere.
Browse through market stalls, filled with traditional ceramics, amber jewellery and local artisan products, and find fun for the kids with arts and crafts.
To learn more about the festival, click here.
Key details:
📅Sunday, November 15
🕒10am to 5pm
🎫Free entry
📍Fed Square, Swanston St & Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000
