Rękawka (or actually “Rękaw” ) means sleeve. The Rękawka or “Sleeve” Festival is a tradition that has been celebrated in Kraków, Poland, for centuries. It always takes place after Easter, at the foot of Krak`s Mound, which is one of four artifical mounds in Kraków.

Krak`s Mound, which is the most ancient of all, is situated in the southern part of the city. Legend says that the pagan subjects loved their ruler Krak so much that after he died, they built an enormous burial mound for him, carrying earth in their sleeves.

In the early Middle Ages (Średniowiecze), Rękawka was a religious festival (religijny festiwal) connected with the cult of the dead (kult zmarłych). Sword (miecz) and axe (topór) fights took place to honor the memory of the dead and scare away demons (demony) that could threaten good souls. People lit fires on graves and offered food to the dead.

In the real Middle Ages fairs were a very important part of economic life. This is when people came from all over to trade and do business. It was a precursor of the Market. It was a place where goods were exchanged by tradesmen.  Remember there was no China, everything from candles to rope had to be produced locally so every town had its specialties. Fairs from the Dark ages to the High Middle ages were economic based as well as for other reasons.

Today the festival is no longer a religious event. Its aim is to demonstrate what life and work were like in the early Middle Ages. During the festival, the area around the mound is supposed to look like an old Slavic settlement from the past, with primitive tents and workshops demonstrating barrel making, blacksmithing, ropemaking, and other trades.

It is the people who make this festival so attractive and colorful. Mostly university students, they impersonate pagan Slavs (pogańskich Słowian): those dressed as peasants wear light flaxen shirts and trousers, women wear colorful robes and dresses with jewelry, while warriors have helmets, swords and iron or leather armor.

The festival starts at 8 am has of course dancing, Medieval music and a battle at 3 pm.   The festival has a lot more of course including a unusual ending at 5:30 that I will not tell you about in case you ever go. It looks like some of the renactors actually might sleep there overnight.

Take a look at this 360 degrees image:

http://www.360cities.net/image/sunset-at-rekawka-festival-near-to-kopiec-krakusa-in-krakow#-455.98,5.48,110.0

As well as the video:

Anyone attended the festival?

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)