6 - 31 May: 6th Photography Month

The 6th Photography Month in Krakow, a festival of photo art, takes place May 6 through May 31 with some fifty shows and other events in Krakow’s galleries, clubs, and other venues.

22 May: Corpus Christi procession

Corpus Christi procession from the Wawel Cathedral to Krakow’s central Grand Square gathers vast crowds of the faithful, led by the Krakow archbishop, as Our Lord’s statue is carried to four street altars among a shower of flower petals.

29-31 May: 1st Film Music Festival

The first musical score for a motion picture in the history of cinematography was written exactly 100 years ago by the Frenchman Camille Saint-Saëns. Since then, the imagination of directors has gone hand in hand with that of composers, which can be best seen in "The Mission" (dir. by Roland Joffé) with music by Ennio Morricone. The mutual interactions of these art forms suit the two great events planned for May: The 1st Film Music Festival in Krakow and the Krakow Film Festival. Sinfonietta Cracovia, directed by the Swiss conductor Kaspar Zehnder, will inaugurate the former (Krakow Philharmonic, 29 May, 8pm). During the gala entitled "100 years of Film Music", we will hear many well-known themes recurring in the cinema, both in Poland and worldwide (e.g. the above mentioned "The Mission", fragments of "The Godfather" by Nino Rota and "Star Trek" by Jerry Goldsmith).

Events planned for the other days of the Festival will be held on Krakow's Błonia. The presence of some extraordinary guests will add splendour to the occasion. On 30 May (9pm), the composer Eric Sierra will appear on stage. His works are mainly known from productions by Luc Besson (e.g. "The Big Blue", "Nikita" and "Leon"). The concert on Friday night will present pieces composed for the French director. Eric Sierra will come to Krakow accompanied by RXRA Group, a pop-rock band created by himself.

However, the hit of the evening will be the performance of pieces by Howard Shore (31 May, 9pm). The Canadian artist, with 70 film music projects created thus far, occupies a significant position on the list of film music experts. Suffice it to say that he is the author of the soundtrack to such blockbusters as: "Seven", "Silence of the Lambs", "The Aviator" and "Gangs of New York". However, the Finale has a special treat in store for the enthusiasts of J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy, brought to the screen by Peter Jackson. An open-air stage will accommodate the musicians of Sinfonietta Cracovia, the Pro Musica Mundi Choir and various boys’ choirs. They will be directed by Ludwig Wicki (Switzerland) and they will perform the Oscar-winning score of "The Fellowship of the Ring" for the first time in Poland. The film itself, with Polish subtitles, will be shown simultaneously.

The organizers of the Festival are: Krakow Festival Office and RMF Classic.

TICKETS
On sale from 5 May.
Ticket prices:
29 May (Philharmonic) – I: PLN 80, II: PLN 50
30 May (Błonia) – free
31 May (Błonia) – sectors A1 and A2 – PLN 50,
sectors B1 and B2 – PLN 30
Tickets available from:
Tourist Information Network points in Krakow:
- ul. Św. Jana 2, phone 012 421 77 87
- Town Hall Tower, Rynek Główny 1, phone 012 433 73 10
- Wyspiański 2000 Pavilion, pl. Wszystkich Świętych 2, phone 012 616 18 86 and at: www.ticketonline.pl

29 May: Lajkonik Procession

Lajkonik, also called “konik zwierzyniecki” (Zwierzyniec Horse) or “tatarzyn” (Tartar), is one of the official symbols of Krakow. Who is not familiar with the small, swift stallion carrying the bearded rider in a characteristic pointed hat in its saddle? We owe its current appearance, designed at the beginning of the 20th century, to Stanisław Wyspiański.

Lajkonik has its special day only once a year. This is a specifically determined and observed date – the first Tuesday after Corpus Christi. The course of the procession has not changed for over 100 years. About 1pm, Lajkonik appears in the courtyard of the Convent of Norbertine Sisters in Zwierzyniec, to perform a traditional dance with a flag, but above all, to pay respect to the Convent’s Mother Superior. Then, Lajkonik walks along Kościuszki, Zwierzyniecka, Franciszkańska and Grodzka Streets to the Main Square. Accompanied by old-time melodies, it prances, visits shops and restaurants, generously patting people with a mace and collecting donations in a basket.

The event usually reaches its climax about 7pm, on the stage in front of the Town Hall Tower, where, watched by crowds of Krakow's residents, the City's Mayor pays the traditional tribute to Lajkonik, and they both drink to the well-being of Krakow and its inhabitants.

30 May - 5 June: 48th Krakow Film Festival

The 48th Krakow Film Festival takes place May 30 through June 5.

10-11 July: Puccini's 'Tosca'

On Thursday and Friday, 10th and 11th of July the Krakow Opera Company will perform the first act of Giacomo Puccini's 'Tosca' in the church of Niepolomice and the second and third act in the courtyard of the Castle in Niepolomice. Both performances start at 7 p.m.

Niepolomice Castle, situated some 20km from the centre of Kraków, used to be a refuge for the royal court during the time of plagues. Built in the 14th century in the late Gothic style, it was renovated centuries later and turned into a beautiful Renaissance residence. Although damaged during the 17th century wars and used as a military camp by the Austrians in the 19th century, it was restored after World War I. 

It's definitely worth a visit since the Renaissance courtyard, gate and some of the chambers have remained practically intact.