(ANS – Oświęcim) –  The ”Jackowe granie” (St Hyacinth music festival) was held from 15-17 August in Oświęcim, and on August 16, Don Bosco's 199th birthday, also in Oświęcim, given that Saint John Bosco was named its patron last year. Two occasions framed Province day on August 17: the feast of St Hyacinth after whom the Province of Krakow is named, and the opening of Don Bosco's bicentenary which was taking place at Castelnuovo and Colle Don Bosco.

The music festival, amd more precisely the 7th Małopolski Festiwal (7th Little Polish Festival) “Jackowe Granie”, was held at the market place square in Oświęcim, close to the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians.  The program included many kinds of music, from classic to rock. Featuring this year, amongst others, was Paweł Chustak, solo performer in the ”Stróże Poranka” group.

August 16 saw the first Patron's day, for St John Bosco, celebrated in the city. For the occasion the church of Mary Help of Christians featured a Mass at which Fr Dariusz Bartocha, Provincial of Krakow Province, was the main celebrant, He celebrated the mass of St Hyacinth, bearing in mind that Saint's feast on the following day. After mass, in Jaggiełły street, a mural representing St John Bosco amongst the young was officially opened. There was a range of activities in the afternoon: dances, games, the 2nd “Biegać jest Bosko” race, a concert by “Dzień Dobry” (Good morning), and finally – “Obraz” (Picture), a performance by a Polish and Ukrainian youth group. There was a strong Ukrainian tone to things the following day as well, on the Sunday, with songs about Ukraine's history performed by the Ortohdox Church group known as “Kalophonia”.

The “Jackowe Granie” Festival was organised by the Don Bosco Institute at Oświęcim, and partners in the initiative were  Małopolska local administration and the Oświęcim City Council.

Published 21/08/2014