This permanent exhibition, 'Time of Celebration,' explores rituals, customs, and festive objects from various religious traditions and rites across Poland and Europe. Spread over 850 m², it uses thousands of exhibits, presented in a modern style reminiscent of retail galleries, to re-examine traditional folk culture.
The permanent exhibition 'Czas świętowania' (Time of Celebration) delves into the world of rituals, customs, and festive objects central to various religious traditions and rites observed in Poland and Europe. Occupying over 850 m², the exhibition employs a contemporary design, drawing parallels to modern shopping galleries with spacious interiors and displayed mannequins, to present its vast collection of thousands of exhibits in a fresh light. This approach aims to reposition traditional 'folk' culture in a new context.
The exhibition's core is the concept of 'folk costume,' understood as special attire worn for various celebrations, intrinsically linked with dance, music, and ritual. It highlights this diversity through 100 festive outfits from Poland and Europe, alongside related ritual artifacts. Detailed displays of jewelry, woven bands, and traditional embroidery showcase the variety of Polish and European traditions, while adjacent rooms feature festive interior decorations connected to the traditions of religious minorities.
The visual narrative of the rites is further enhanced by a collection of valuable votive paintings, folk sculptures, Easter eggs, paper cutouts, Christmas tree ornaments, and carnival props. 'Czas świętowania' not only presents tradition but also engages with contemporary issues, questioning the role of folk style in mass culture and revealing the influence of folklore on fashion, applied art, and music from the 1930s to the present day.
