A concert on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Zofia Stolarzowa Folk Artistic Group “Promni” took place on the 12 January 2013 in the Congress Hall of the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw. The President of the Republic of Poland, Bronisław Komorowski, took the honorary patronage over the concert. The Congratulation Letter was read by Jacek Michałowski, the Head of the Chancellery of the President of Poland The media patron of the concert was TVP S.A.
The Marshal of Mazovia Voivodship, Adam Struzik, awarded the Artistic Folk Group PROMNI with the Pro Masovia commemorative medal. The rector of WULS-SGGW, prof. dr hab Alojzy Szymański and the manager of the group, Radosław Puszyło, were decorated with the medal for promoting folk culture in Mazovia.
The folk richness
Promni have for years found inspiration for their programmes in the folk tradition. Their repertoire is rich and varied. During their performances, one have the possibility to see Polish national dances such as polonaise, mazurka, kujawiak and obertas. In the repertoire of the group, there are also performances that present the polish folklore. These are: “Z pamiętnika tamtych lat 1815-1830″ (“From the diary of these days 1825-1830”), “Wesele łowickie” (“The Łowicz Wedding”) and “Comber Babski” (“Feast for women”). There are songs and dances from the region of Kraków and central and south-eastern part ofPoland. Promni also represent scenes from the region of Opoczno, Kurpie,Lublin, Gorlice, Rzeszów, Cieszyn or the Silesia Beskid and Podhale. During the performances of the group, there is also the possibility to see occasional programmes, e.g. in the period close to Christmas, Christmas carols and nativity plays are presented. It is worth noting that the group included also the standard social dances in their programmes. The members of the group prepare also educational programmes for children and youth.
Travelling around the world
Since the beginning of its existence, the group functions at the WULS-SGGW, which is its most significant patron. Over hundred students and graduates of theWarsawuniversities, mostly of the WULS-SGGW, sing and dance in the group. Musicians of the music band are mostly students and graduates of the Fryderyk Chopin Academy of Music inWarsaw. Since 1972, Promni representPolandat numerous concerts and festivals abroad. The beauty of the Polish folklore was presented i.a. in theUK, inBelgium, inCzechRepublic, inDenmark,France,Greece,Japan,Korea,SyriaandNorway.
Awards and distinctions
Promni are award winners of many folklore festivals inPolandand abroad. For their artistic activity, they were rewarded many times. They have received i.a. the diploma of the Minister of Culture and Art of theRepublicofPoland. During the Student Song and Dance Groups Festival Katowice –Sosnowiecin 1981, they won the “Golden Artemida”. They also managed to get a reward during the Folklore Festival inDijoninFrance. They received the Golden Badge “For Merits for WULS-SGGW” in 1985. Their performance during National Folk Music and Song in Jaśle in 1987 turned out to be a great success – they won the main price. In 2004 the band received the main prize during the third National Folklore Meetings “O Łowicki Pasiak”.