This weekend, Bielsk Podlaski will become a major destination for those seeking an encounter between contemporary art and archaic roots. At the free Barn+Field festival in the historic Studziwody neighborhood, Belarusian Kasary will perform traditional songs, while the Swåda x Niczos duo will “ignite” the barn with a new version of their set. Here is why it is worth visiting Studziwody on Aug. 28-29.
The event organizers place particular emphasis on local heritage and borderland culture, reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. On Friday, the program will open with a performance by Żemerwa at the Museum of the Little Homeland in Studziwody, after which the artists will proceed in a festive procession from the museum directly to the main festival venue.
As has become a good tradition, Swåda x Niczos will perform in the barn in the evening — a duo that sets trends in the region, is returning to Barn+Field for the third consecutive year and will present an updated version of its #InDaChata Set program this year.
On Saturday, the Belarusian male traditional singing group Kasary will take the stage, alongside representatives of the young alternative wave: Jann, Baasch, Dominika Płonka, Mandzik, Fiołek & Aleksandra Łapińska, Świtała & DJ CBH and other artists.
Between concert sets, visitors will be able to explore local history and crafts. The festival program includes walks around Studziwody with Museum of the Little Homeland founder Darafiei Fionik, pottery and weaving workshops using traditional looms, film screenings at the museum and even a special food venue featuring Iranian cuisine.
As one of the festival organizers, Maksim Fionik, notes, Barn+Field is a space where contemporary art meets the living folk traditions of Podlasie.
Admission to the event is free. Details here.
