Mazovia in Rome after 60 years

Polish vivacity, dynamism, charm, and attractiveness of male and female dancers, modern arrangements of folk compositions, fascinating costumes, exciting dances, and music… not even all these terms fully reflect the beauty of the sensational performance of the Mazovian Song and Dance Ensemble in Rome. After 60 years, Mazovia returned to the Eternal City in a full composition of 160 members and delighted the Roman audience.

The concert, held on November 18 in the Sala Santa Cecilia of the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone, with excellent acoustics, brought together two thousand spectators, among whom the community of Polish immigrants in Italy prevailed, but also came numerous numbers number of Italians interested in culture.

The first concert in Rome after 60 years

The event was unique for several reasons. First, it was organized as part of the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino, which had a strong resonance during the concert, when the Mazovia choir sang “Czerwone Maki” (“Red Poppies”) in the presence of the entire Polish Necropolis of Monte Cassino group.

The hearts of people connected with Warsaw were probably touched by the song “Warszawskie dzieci” (“Children of Warsaw”), composed to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising. Like Marta Przepiórkowska, a translator from Warsaw who has been living in Rome for six years. – I came to the concert because I was homesick for the country. Besides, I have never been to a Mazovia concert in Poland – says Marta Przepiórkowska. – My boyfriend, who is Italian, and I like the program very much, although on a different level. I recognize certain melodies, but he doesn’t – she adds.

“I like not only singing, but also dancing, costumes, music. Everything about it,” says Marta’s boyfriend Emiliano Viziganella. “The whole show is beautiful and gives great emotions,” confesses Emiliano.

Adding to the uniqueness and historical importance of the event is the fact that it was the first performance of Mazovia in 60 years, since the group performed in the Italian capital in its entirety, with more than 160 members. On stage was an entire dance ensemble, choir and orchestra of the Mazovian Song and Dance Ensemble. Jacek Boniecki, conductor and at the same time head of the orchestra, did not hide his joy and pride immediately after the concert.

“It’s fantastic to have the feeling of performing here 60 years after the famous great Mazovia concert in Rome. It’s an incredible feeling. After all, six decades have passed!”, says Jacek Boniecki. We feel a breath of history, of being in an important place and, above all, that the audience welcomed our performance with such enthusiasm. It is a great honor, a great joy for the whole team. “We are very happy,” he added

A special program for a lively audience

The team’s director acknowledged that the artists also felt the emotions flowing from the lively audience. Mazovia, moreover, prepared specifically for a performance in Rome, for example, preparing several pieces specifically for this occasion. First, the mazurka “Strasznego Dworu” (“The Haunted Mansion”) by Stanisław Moniuszko was introduced into the repertoire only for a performance in Rome.

“So this is a historic moment for us. I think the audience felt it too and people knew why they were here,” added the team’s director.

The almost 3-hour show brought together not only the Polish audience, but also Poles, Polish emigrants and people associated with our country. Anna Stryjska from Poznań studies communication at the American University in Rome. “This concert was an opportunity to reconnect with Polish culture, because I miss it a bit, and this is my culture that I grew up in,” said Anna.

She came to the show with her friend, Alejandra Cueliar from Corumbà, Brazil. Alejandra studies international relations at the same university. “It is a beautiful concert, and for me, it is also an opportunity to get to know Polish culture, which is unknown to me,” said Alejandra.

Three other young students and scholars: Francesca Musso, Alessadra Vapin and Ludovica Proietii came to the Mazovia concert on the recommendation of their friend, a Polish woman. “We like it very much!” said the girls. “Anyway, we have been to Poland twice, so we already have to know a little bit of Polish culture. And here are the dances, the costumes, everything is delightful, even though we only understand a few words in Polish,” says Francesca.

During the concert, there were also Italian elements: the song “È primavera, svegliatevi bambine” made especially for the Italian friends and the information that the Mazovia ensemble includes an artist born in Rome: Olaf Tchaikovsky.

Tears of emotion and pride from Mazovia

For Poles who lived in Italy for many years, the Mazovia performance was primarily a return to their childhood years. “I am from Przemyśl, but I have been living in Italy for 25 years,” confessed Maciej Korpal, who came to Rome for this evening. “At this concert, I felt like I was in Poland. When I was younger, I used to go to games, these kinds of rhythms were played. And I really like Mazovia. It completely reminds me of Poland,” says Maciej.

Gennaro Caruso, 50, from Rome, who has Polish roots, came to the concert with his mother Jolanta, as well as his wife and daughter. After the concert, he did not hide his delight. “The concert was sensational,” he says. “And especially the mountain dances. I was stupefied! My mother asked me if I understood when they sang in the highland dialect and yes, I understood it!” Gennaro rejoiced.

Mrs Jolanta, who emigrated from Italy 50 years ago, did not hide her emotions either. “It reminds me of Poland. And when they played the anthem, I cried,” admits Jolanta Caruso.

In addition, the ambassador of the Republic of Poland, Ryszard Schnepf, did not hide that for him, too, the Mazovia performance was a sentimental journey to his childhood, but above all he was happy that the Polish and Italian audiences could experience Polish folklore performed at its best and in a modern style. “I think we can be proud, because the Italians, who were very numerous at the concert, also liked it very much. We could see the enthusiasm with which they welcomed the team, which was simply wonderful, professional, radiating energy, youth and beauty. We would like to say that Mazovia says: this is what we are,” Ambassador Schnepf summed up.

The organisation of the concert, 60 years after the previous great performance of Mazovia in Rome, could not have taken place without the support of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Rome and the Polish Institute.

Many presents expressed the hope that the next performance of Mazovia in the Eternal City would take place much sooner than in the next 60 years.