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Harce z Lajkonikiem - 10 czerwca 2010 r. od godz. 12

On June 10, 2010 we invite you for the Lajkonik march


Each year, on the last day of the octave of Corpus Christi, in the streets of Krakow you can see colourful and loud retinue. The parade is lead by a warrant officer who carries huge standard with white eagle. Just behind the officer there are rafts men walking in two rows, wearing Krakow’s and Tatar costumes and carrying panaches. The parade ends with “Mlaskot” band playing jumping melodies. The most important figure within this colourful, joyful drove of people is Tatar khan called the Zwierzyniec’s Horse (Konik Zwierzyniecki) or just the Lajkonik. He gambols on his steed embellished with bunch of ostrich feathers. He wears high, red boots and he has peaked, ending with a crescent hat on his head. He brandishes a hard mace and “blows” persons walking by what brings luck. He goes around in the crowd, asks ladies to dance, looks into shops and stalls and raises dues from everyone. For many years the same route of the march begins in the courtyard of the Norbertan Sisters convent in Zwierzyniec district. In the courtyard the Lajkonik makes a magic circle, solemnly dances with the standard paying Mother Superior regards. Afterwards he walks through Kościuszki, Zwierzyniecka, Franciszkańska and Grodzka Streets and finally reaches the Main Square. In front of the Town Hall Tower at 7pm there is a finale of the time-honoured ceremony. During the rite the Mayor gives Lajkonik purse full of money as a tribute and they together propose a toast to the city and its inhabitants’ good fortune.

A historical genesis of this extraordinary and beautiful Ceremony has never been fully explained. At the beginning of the 19th century a legend commemorating authentic fact of defeating Tartars in 13th century during the Leszek II the Black reign was created. As per historical sourced the rafts men seemingly featured in this event. This folk tale used to encourage people during the times of captivity, not all of them believed it. However the tradition of walking with a fake little horse – so called Zwierzyniec Horse is even older. Some people trust that the custom origins from Slav ceremonies in honour of Svetovid and Triglav and medieval mysteries. Some bound the ritual with cult of horses of Zeus. Unfortunately none of written evidence saying about the beginnings of the Lajkonik’s frolics have survived, however popular traditions of Europe, Asia and South America have its equivalent. We will never get know what the beginnings of the Lajkonik frolics were. That is why our Krakow’s threatening Tatar, each year traversing a route from the Zwierzyniec to the Main Square will always be shrouded in impenetrable mystery…

This year’s edition of the Lajkonik’s March is connected with the New Zwierzyniec Horse Costume contest. The best works made by students of elementary schools in Kraków and the Little Poland region you will find on the Main Square in special marquee in the nearby of the Town Hall Tower.

Program:

12.00   The Lajkonik together with the retinue set out from the Municipal Waterworks and Sewer Enterprise at 1 Senatorska Street towards the T. Kościuszki Street, goes through the bridge on the Rudawa river and march into the Norbertan Sisters convent.

13.00-13.30  Traditional dance of the Lajkonik in the courtyard of the convent.

13.30-15.15   The Lajkonik goes along the T. Kościuszki Street and visits shops and clubhouses.

15.15  The Lajkonik goes through the underpass under the T. Kościuszki Street, Trzech Wieszczów Avenue and Zwierzyniecka Street crossing.

15.30-16.00  Rest in the “Lajkonik” restaurant.

16.00  Walk along the Zwierzyniecka Street towards the Franciszkańska Street.

Approx. 17:15  In front of the Krakow’s Philharmonic, on the crossing of streets the rafts men describes a circle in which the Lajkonik to the accompaniment of ancient melodies dances with the standard.

17:15-18.30   Walk along the Franciszkańska Street and Grodzka Street do the Main Square.

17:30  A short rest in the “Śródziemie” pub at Franciszkańska Street.

18.00  An openair show by the Open Theatre related to the legend of the Lajkonik.

19.00   Main part of the celebrations on the Main Square in front of the Town Hall Tower. The Mayor of Krakow - Professor Jacek Majchrowski gives Lajkonik purse full of money as a tribute and proposes a toast to the city and its inhabitants’ good fortune.

19.30-20.30  Dinner in the “Wierzynek” restaurant.

19:30   A concert by the Małe Słowianki band at the stage.

20.30-21.00  A walk around the Main Square.

21.00-21.30  Dinner in the “Hawełka” restaurant and the end of the march.