This is one of the oldest of Kraków’s tradition, recalling pre-Christian times. Written accounts of the Rękawka festivities, which take place on the first Tuesday after Easter at the foot of the Krakus Mound, go back to the 16th century, but they echo considerably older customs – quite possibly relating to All Souls’ Day, which the early Slavs celebrated in spring. Christianity adopted this custom and – even though All Souls’ Day was moved to November and the ceremony at the foot of the former pagan burial mound was turned into a fair – the celebrations at this place survived in folk tradition. This custom even survived the period in the 19th century when the Austrians commandeered the land for military purposes and built a fort around the mound. The fair was simply moved to the vicinity of the neighbouring St Benedict’s Church and has remained there until today.
Rękawka recently returned also to its original location. Thanks to the events organised at the foot of the mound by the Podgórze Cultural Centre, this year’s motto being “In the Shade of the Sacred Oak” – On Pre-Christian Beliefs, we will be transported into the early Middle Ages.

Rękawka festival programme and more information at:

http://www.dkpodgorze.krakow.pl
http://en.karnet.krakow.pl

Related video:

Battles at Rękawka Medieval festival in Krakow 2009

Rekawka Pagan Festival

Rękawka 2008

• Prev
• Next