The first Festival of Spring was held in Poznań in 2006 as a one-day event. Since then it has evolved into the only festival in the world that builds its programme upon a single piece, Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.

How is this possible?

Since its world première in 1913 as a ballet developed by Vaslav Nijinsky, The Rite of Spring does not cease to fascinate the representatives of all areas of art: musicians, dancers and choreographers, as well as theatre and visual artists, in addition to those working in the realm of various artistic genres. It is a challenge for the most brilliant among them and every year some two hundred different interpretations of the piece are created worldwide.

Every March (since 2006) Poznań becomes a venue for presenting the most interesting Polish and international projects related to The Rite of Spring. So far we have seen the performances (often the first ever shows in Poland) of Emanuel Gat, Sylvie Guillermin, Klaus Obermaier, Xavier Le Roy, Daniel Léveillé, Compagnie Ariadone, Raimund Hoghe, Heddy Maalem and Societas Raffaello Sanzio (with their very own rendition of Stravinsky’s piece developed by Claudia Castelluci). There have also been strictly musical interpretations, for instance Strawinariada A2 by Krzysztof Majchrzak’s A2 quartet, Marek Tomaszewski’s piano transcription, An On Bast’s electronic version and a jazz-based one by the Jerzy Mazzoll, Cezary Ostrowski and Rafał Zapała trio. Within the field of visual arts we have had the opportunity to see Katarzyna Kozyra’s work, in addition to several dramatic productions including the show Niżyński directed by Waldemar Zawodziński. The festival is also accompanied by educational workshops for children and discussion panels regarding provocation, nudity, genius…

The 7th edition of the Festival of Spring: 18 to 21 March 2012

Its major event is Stravinsky Evening (Petrushka and HUNT) by Tero Saarinen and his Company (Finland). The festival’s significance is also confirmed by the presence of the Polish National Ballet of Warsaw (director Krzysztof Pastor) performing Święto Wiosny – Niżyński, Béjart. Furthermore, the programme features Bóg Niżyński by Teatr Wierszalin and electric concert by Dj Qlhead. The discussion panel is dedicated to Vaslav Nijinsky and includes the presentation and promotion of Dzienniki (Vaslav Nijinsky’s Diaries which, for many years, have been out of print and have now been especially republished to accompany the festival). Finally, there is also the Young Festival of Spring, a series of film and art workshops for children, in addition to a workshop for professional dancers conducted by Tero Saarinen who is regarded one of the most significant choreographers in the world.

The encounter with Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring is not only a tribute to history and tradition, but also a discussion about the future of art, its development trends and exploration pathways; about contemporary communication, language, aesthetics and emotions. It is a meeting point for different approaches and, owing to its international character, an intercultural dialogue.