The song and dance ensemble of the University in Warsaw “Warszawianka” is the representative folk group composed of dancing, singing and playing students as well as graduates from almost all faculties of Warsaw University and other Warsaw universities as well. Lively Polish dances like polka, sztajerka and oberek are performed by students of physics, mathematics, computer sciences, law and administration, management and organisation, economics, history, Polish studies, philology, education, psychology, sociology, etc.
This year the Ensemble will celebrate the 45th anniversary. During all these years they performed in Poland and many countries all over the world. The number of concerts and countries they visited allow us to call the Ensemble the “Ambassador of Polish Culture”. By following the saying “Education by folk” the Ensemble is one of the most active member of the Association the Polish Section of The International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (PS CIOFF). “Warszawianka” enraptures with beauty, youth, professionalism and colour gamut just like a kaleidoscope.
The artistic uniqueness of the Ensemble is composed of values accumulated through ages in the national culture to which folk art largely contributes. The style of “Warszawianka” consists in subtle stylisation maintaining values and qualities of prototypes. The same sources were used by the greatest Polish artists such as Fryderyk Chopin, Karol Szymanowski, Henryk Wieniawski or Stanisław Moniuszko by stressing the essence of Polish identity.
Due to the decades-long hard work, the Ensemble acquired a very unique individual style and character. The repertoire of “Warszawianka” includes a wide range of programmes: national dances, images showing various regions of Poland – based on Polish customs and rites and educational performances and programmes for schoolchildren.
Concert activities include 52 foreign tours, over 1,000 concerts, full concert halls; the Ensemble participates also in the Polish Dances Tournaments – during seventeen editions of the Polish Championships, dancers of “Warszawianka” won 41 titles of the Poland’s Champions, 27 titles of 1st Vice-Champions of Poland and 23 titles of the 2nd Vice-Champions of Poland. Phonographic activity includes, among other things, albums released in recent years: “Warszawianka in symphony” – album with the folk compositions performed by a symphonic orchestra; “Spiewajcie i grajcie Mu….” (Sing and play for Him) – the double album showing the richness and beauty of Polish X-mas carols. Apart from the concert and photographic activity, the ensemble is also engaged in educational, social and charitable activities.
Education: currently the Ensemble teaches 120 children and teenagers Polish dances and traditions. Within the framework of special economic programmes addressed to kindergartens and schools, dancers present Polish customs, and they teach children and young people about Polish national dances. The educational and charity programme addressed to young women at the age of 18-24 years of which culmination is the Debutants’ Ball organised in the Museum of the Palace in Wilanów, is also very interesting. In the seventeen editions of the Polish Championships,
dancers of “Warszawianka” won 41 titles of the Poland’s Champions, 27 titles of the 1st Vice- -Champions of Poland and 23 titles of the 2nd Vice-Champions of Poland.
Social activity consists in the participation in the Nationwide Student Campaign “Cut a caper” having been organised since 2010 to promote the Polish folk culture by encouraging passersby and tourists to dance together in the streets of cities. “Warszawianka” has taken part in this campaign since 2013, and it organises also educational concerts at seniors’ centres. Charity activity: the Ensemble has already for many years organised the Charity Campaign “Podaj Serce” (Give your heart) to raise awareness of problems of persons suffering from multiple
sclerosis and acquire sponsors for them. The Ensemble members are actively involved in the campaign “Noble Parcel”, and they also organise concerts “Students for children” addressed to children with special needs.
The PRO FUTURO 2017 FOR THE FUTURE award for the Song and Dance Ensemble UW
‘Warszawianka’ was received by Director Jan Łosakiewicz, and handed by Undersecretary
of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Marek Magierowski, President of the Chapter
of Awards professor Elżbieta Mączyńska and Janusz Cieślak, President of EBC Poland.
