„BENE MERITUS” (HIGHLY DISTINGUISHED) 2015
“for exceptional and long-term achievements in promoting Polish folk culture in the country and abroad”
Śląsk Song and Dance Ensemble in memory of Stanisław Hadyna is one of the biggest Polish folk ensembles, established on July 1, 1953 by Stanisław Hadyna and Elwira Kamińska. In their repertoire there are songs and dances from all Polish regions, as well as operas, oratories, and pieces of sacral music. Śląsk Song and Dance Ensemble, fulfils also a culture-forming role by carrying out the project “The Silesian School of Arts” (Śląski Ogród Sztuk) launched in 2010, which aims at creating an active cultural centre at the seat of the Ensemble. In the summer, the Ensemble organizes a summer dance camp. People like Wojciech Kilar, Ireneusz Łojewski, Czesław Płaczek or Ryszard Pierzchała cooperated with the Ensemble.
During its existence, the Ensemble was staged in all parts of the world, promoting Poland and the Polish culture. In 2007, Śląsk Song and Dance Ensemble obtained the status of the national cultural institution.
