Spring’24

Springtime Secrets

In springtime, Kraków brings us surprises, takes us on excursions, hosts meetings and reveals some of the city’s secrets.

16 stories about Kraków

Kraków’s cultural spring kicks off with the Misteria Paschalia Festival, traditionally linked with the period of Holy Week and Easter. This year’s events of one of Europe’s most important celebrations of early music were prepared by Vincent Dumestre; the French musician and leader of the Le Poème Harmonique ensemble takes over as the festival’s artistic director for the next three years.

As well as presenting concerts reaching for the treasure trove of European Baroque music, this year’s festival is the perfect opportunity to discovery the mastery of early constructors of keyboard instruments – and contemporary musicians who play them. The festival culminates with a concert by none other than Jordi Savall, leading his ensembles La Capella Reial de Catalunya and Le Concert des Nations in J.S. Bach’s St John Passion as part of the ICE Classic cycle.

April sees the start of a sequence of three festivals…

…which make Kraków a European capital of cinematography. Mastercard OFF CAMERA is a celebration of independent cinema, the Film Music Festival intertwines major Hollywood productions and live music (The Lion King!) with educational and promotional events, while the Kraków Film Festival – the longest-running of the three, now in its 64th edition – presents a panorama of documentaries, short films and music films. The prestigious awards, acclaimed guests from all corner of the globe and (of course!) film screenings of all three festivals provide cinephiles with a true feast running until early June. The Studio Cinema Night – a celebration of intimate cinemas presenting ambitious repertoires beyond the commercial mainstream – serves as something of a prologue.

Springtime paths lead us to exhibitions and many great discoveries.

The exhibition Wyspiański’s Wawel explores the imagination of this extraordinary artist, dramatist and visionary. Cricoteka presents a portrayal of Jerzy Bereś, pioneer of Polish performance art, while MOCAK explores Food in Art. Bunkier Sztuki showcases the extraordinary art collection of Teresa and Andrzej Starmach, recently donated to the city. Odesa. A Long 20th Century in Art at the International Cultural Centre and Rebellion in the System at the Museum of Nowa Huta, as well as the recently-launched KL Plaszow Museum, turn our attention to some of the more difficult periods in Polish and European history.

The Cracow Art Week KRAKERS showcases Kraków’s artistic circles and local art galleries. Municipal institutions are just as busy: this year’s Kraków Museum Night stresses the importance of education and academia. And of course the International Print Triennial, dating back to the 1960s, makes a welcome return in May.

Let’s also not forget myriad concerts including classical, pop and rock music, held at Kraków’s largest venues (Tauron Arena, ICE Kraków) and in small clubs and outdoor spaces throughout the city. Stellar! The Copernicus Festival ponders the concept of machines, introducing us to mediaeval warriors and featuring a parade of dragons.

In springtime, Kraków brings us surprises, takes us on excursions, hosts meetings and reveals some of the city’s secrets. Find your way around all the regular and celebratory events on karnet.krakowculture.pl.

Kraków`Culture Team