Poland hosts a staggering 20 shanty festivals every year and the largest of these is held in Kraków. Last year the festival held its 30th jubilee edition and over the years it has grown to become one of the most important shanty events in the world, mentioned alongside those in Liverpool, Karlskrona or Rotterdam, the fact that Kraków is 500km away from the sea doesn't deter 10,000 people from regularly attending.
This year the theme is 'Polish Tall Ships' as 2012 is a big date for Polish sailing and sees a host of anniversaries. For example the 'Dar Młodzieży' tall ship and the 'OSP Iskra' are 30 and the recently renovated 'Fryderyk Chopin' is 20. Tribute will also be paid to the memory of Stan Hugill, the 'The Last Working Shantyman'. He served on the Garthpool, the last British commercial sailing ship,and visited this festival twice. 2012 marks 20 years since his passing. There will be presentations of classic shanties, songs of the forecastle, ballads and sea poetry. The programme could also never miss out the ever-popular concert for kids. For fans of something more modern and heavier the organisers have prepared a concert presenting shanties played in rock form. Another new element is the exploration of the musical relations between shanties and other genres not seen so far. As always 'Shanties' is being organised in several venues, the main ones are CK Rotunda, H-3, ul. Oleandry 1, where the festival had its beginnings, Stary Port, B-3, ul. Straszewskiego 27 (entrance from ul. Jabłonowskich) and the club Studio, G-2, ul. Budryka 4. During the concerts in the Rotunda Cultural Centre you will be able to take part in knot making workshops titled 'Takler - return to tradition' and visit a sailing articles and services fair. The programme goes like this.
22.01 Wednesday
19.00 - From Petersburg to New Orleans
Rotunda Cultural Centre
23.02 Thursday
19:00 - Concert of the band PACKET and friends
Rotunda Cultural Centre
23:00 Port Tales part I
Stary Port Tavern
24.02 Friday
19:00 - Roads to the Horizon
20:00 - It was 24th February - Rock Shanty Concert
Studio
23:00 - Port Tales part II
Stary Port Tavern
23:00 - Joyful life in a Sailing Town - Forecastle song concert
Rotunda Cultural Centre
25.02 Saturday
12:00 - Concert and Show for Children
17:00 - Sailor and Tourist Song Concert
Studio
22:00 - Sea Song Concert
Rotunda Cultural Centre
23:00 - Port Tales part III
Stary Port Tavern
26.02 Sunday
12:00 - Traditional Sea Songs Concert dedicated to Stan Hugill
17:00 - Final Concert Polish Tall Ships
Rotunda Cultural Centre
23:00 - Port Tales part IV
Stary Port Tavern