Some 14,000 fans are expected at the Jarocin Festival, central Poland, which also celebrates 30 years since it kicked off in 1980.

The three day event will see over 26 professional bands and 16 amateur groups, which had been selected to the Competition of Young Bands.

Some of the greatest names of the Polish rock scene are to appear at the festival, including Hey, T.Love, Dezerter as well as a huge number of foreign artists like the American group “Flogging Molly” or the British “Gallows”.

Jarocin is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Founded in 1980, it was one of the biggest music festivals in Europe and the largest event of its kind in the whole Soviet-dominated Eastern Bloc.

The idea of Jarocin was based on Woodstock, hence its moniker as the “Polish Woodstock”.
In 1980, the festival lasted three days and attracted thousands of fans who came to listen to music which was rarely played by public media.

The Festival was called the “Rock Musicians Festival”, but the music differed – it ranged from rock through punk and heavy metal, to reggae and blues.

The participants often attended the concerts with tape recorders which they held above their heads to record music not distributed by media.

Jarocin was a window to the world, it allowed to shake off the drab reality of Communist-ruled Poland, but it was still heavily scrutinised by the Communist authorities, which, under the smallest of pretexts, would detain culprits in militia stations.

The festival was the starting point for many Polish formations like Dzem, TSA, Armia and many others.

With the fall of Communist rule in Poland Jarocin lost its message and in 1994 was suspended after several clashes between police and the audience.

It was revived by the local authorities and the 30th anniversary is an excellent opportunity for memories which made Jarocin and its performers so special for the music market of Poland.

The Jarocin experience brings together many fans, now in their thirties or forties who go back to the music and atmosphere of yesteryear.

Jarocin organisers still pride themselves in that they are in opposition to the commercial trends and have their own vision of music and the world. (ab/jb)

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