The Midsummer Night Celebration
Our Association, WICI, is dedicated to strengthening local bonds through activities inspired by folk and traditional culture. This summer, we were invited by the Okiem Kobiety Association to co-organise the Midsummer Night celebration, which showcased ancient traditions to the residents of Koluszki. This event provided an excellent opportunity to share stories about customs and rituals, while also creating a space for communal celebration.
The official opening of the Midsummer Night was led by the Mayor of Koluszki, Waldemar Chałat, alongside MP Małgorzata Niemczyk. They were joined by Anna Raczkowska from the WICI Association, Bogna Stawicka from the KobieTy Łódź organisation, Mariola Garnys from Okiem Kobiety, and Adrian Kut from historiakoluszek.pl. The event was made possible through the Civic Budget of the Koluszki municipality.
A Journey into Tradition
As WICI, we guided participants into the world of the ancient Midsummer traditions. At dusk, our master of ceremonies, Anna Raczkowska, assisted by our new members, Katarzyna Deka and Paulina Górniak, led a procession to the water’s edge. Carrying torches, representatives from local organisations followed the WICI banner to gather around a bonfire, where we created a circle and began the festivities using elements such as salt, flour, and herbs. The attendees joined in dances around the fire, setting a local record for the number of people dancing together.
One of the evening’s highlights was the release of wreaths, crafted by the local Women’s Cooperative from Redzeń Stary, which were historically interpreted as a prediction of future marriages. The event ended with a night torchlight walk around the Lisowice Project, illuminating the path while members of the History of Koluszki Association shared mysterious tales about the palace and the ruins of the chapel.
This year’s Midsummer Night was a remarkable blend of ancient traditions and modern forms of community integration. We take great pride in contributing to the revival of these traditions and providing an opportunity for collective celebration, enriching the lives of the residents of the Koluszki municipality.
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