28th Mragowo Country Picnic music festival took place over the weekend

Joanna Najfeld reports

Over the weekend, thousands of country music lovers arrived at Mragowo in the beautiful great lakes region of Mazury, for the 28th Mrągowo Country Picnic music festival.

Thousands of people come there with their families, summer after summer, for the three magic days of American country culture in the heart of Central East Europe. 

Some years back festival managers decided to broaden the scope of music types presented on the stage in Mragowo, to attract wider audiences. This decision is perceived as controversial by many. 

The absolute legend of Polish country music, Michael Lonstar, strongly criticizes mariginalizing country music at the country music festival, in favor of pop singers performing pop or quasi-country acts. For the country music to survive, Polish country musicians and events have to be more country than American ones and proud of it, too, says Michael Lonstar.

Click on the audio icon to listen to the report.