Spring’25

Spring Discoveries

The symbolic opening of the cultural spring in Kraków is Holy Week and the associated Misteria Paschalia Festival. And as this opening falls on the end of April this year, the further sequence of festivals and events takes on an express pace.

16 stories about Kraków

We set off with the Misteria Paschalia Festival into the land of early music under the watchful eye and artistic direction of Vincent Dumestre. We are connected with the heritage of centuries and sacred music not only by Johann Sebastian Bach (St John Passion!) or Henry Purcell but also by lesser-known composers who undertook the effort of musically arranging the theme of lamentation. We will hear a number of ensembles: Le Poème Harmonique, Graindelavoix or Tenebrae, the presentation of musical gems from the turn of the Renaissance and the Baroque by a French mercenary guild (this is how you should translate the name of the La Guilde des Mercenaires ensemble), and even works played on pre-Columbian instruments from the Americas: it is no coincidence that the festival also includes Winds Days! – an exhibition of early brass instruments and a related programme of meetings.

Although Rękawka is traditionally held shortly after Easter, this traditional festivities recall customs and rituals of pagan origin under the Krakus Mound. This year, on the 1,000th anniversary of the coronation of the first Polish king, we will watch a spectacle – a battle of warriors showing Bolesław I the Brave in martial glory. During the day-long event, we can expect many other attractions accompanied by an arts, crafts and traditional food fair.

Coming back to musical events

The Academy of Music in Kraków is organising an event that is unique on a world scale: the Duettissimo Festival. We will hear music for two pianos and four hands in a wide repertoire, and the whole thing will be crowned by a gala in the Ballroom of the Saski Hotel. The Krakow International Festival of Composers has a much longer tradition – in its fourth decade, it continuously promotes creators of contemporary music from different generations. Held by the Kraków Philharmonic, the 4 Traditions Festival refers to yet another aesthetics from the cultural circles present in the Polish lands for centuries. The Philharmonic also offers the Gustav Mahler Festival, during which we will hear eight symphonies by the Austrian composer. His famous Symphony of a Thousand will be performed at the ICE Kraków Congress Centre!

And among the countless pop concerts, look out for global stars – Tauron Arena Krakow will host such artists as Rod Stewart, David Garrett and Billie Eilish in spring.

Film capital and the theatre of tomorrow

From the end of April till the beginning of June, Kraków also becomes the film capital: Mastercard OFF CAMERA – a celebration of independent cinema, the Krakow Film Festival, which influences the Oscar nominations, or the Krakow Film Music Festival, which hosts Academy Award winners straight from Hollywood, are recognised in the world of the silver screen on both sides of the Atlantic.

The International Festival of Ukrainian Theatre East–West is a testament to the vibrant presence of the new inhabitants of Kraków in the city’s culture: in twenty diverse performances by theatres from war-torn Ukraine, we will hear echoes of the Les Kurbas’s hopeful words: “Theatre is to be today what society is to be tomorrow.”

Kraków’s art venues, in turn, refer to the words of Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz – the motto of this year’s KRAKERS gallery week is: At times I think I am dreaming. Let us see how this thought of an eccentric genius from a century ago can be illustrated and interpreted by visions of contemporary artists. And the motto of the Copernicus Festival, which combines culture and science, is Mystery – the selection of experts with whom we will set off into the micro- and macro-worlds guarantees a wealth of discoveries as usual. We will also discover new worlds during Kraków Nights – on Museum Night, Theatre Night or Dance Night, we can expect presentations, performances, meetings lasting late into the night…

A European meeting will be Three Seas Art Festival 2025: is the first edition of what has been announced as a biennial event, which fits into the priorities of the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union this year. Almost 100 artists and curators from 14 countries, numerous meetings and exhibitions – including the main one at the Bunkier Sztuki Art Gallery. New exhibitions are also being opened by the Manggha Museum, MOCAK (over 20 artists connected with Kraków) and the Wawel Royal Castle (sculptures by Magdalena Abakanowicz in the castle gardens), among others.

Spring in full bloom!

To find your way around through all the regular and celebratory events in Kraków visit on karnet.krakowculture.pl.

Kraków`Culture Team