The NAROL.ARTE Festival will be held for the fourth time from 20 to 27 August 2011 in Narol, in the Podkarpackie voivodeship of Poland. It refers to the multi-national tradition of Old Galicia, whilst drawing attention to three sources of culture: the manorial tradition (‘high’ culture), the religious tradition (regardless of faith or rite) and the plebeian tradition (rural and urban).

With interest in artistic events organised by the Narol Academy in Narol growing every year, the need arose for a festival-type event. Hence the NAROL.ARTE Festival, organised at the same time as the NAROL ACADEMY Workshops, which take place in Narol towards the end of August. This annual event, held since 2008, enjoys huge interest among the media and the public and has been very highly appraised. Honorary patron of the festival is the Marshal of the Podkarpackie voivodeship, Mr Mirosław Karapyta.

The fourth edition of the NAROL.ARTE Festival will provide an opportunity to meet at the confluence of the three sources of culture that are the manorial, plebeian and religious traditions. Folk, religious and art (‘high’) culture are often treated separately, as exemplified by festivals and revues of an artificially narrowed profile. In actual fact, these influences penetrate and act upon each other, creating a full and diversified picture. And it is this diversity, allied to high performance standards and complete notional coherence (the three sources of culture), that makes the NAROL.ARTE Festival (‘Lord, Alderman and Vicar’) so attractive.

This year’s edition of the NAROL.ARTE Festival is informed by the aim of presenting early Polish music – from the Middle Ages to the end of the eighteenth century. Works by Polish composers will be performed by leading Polish artists and ensembles specialising in the performance of early music.