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A couple in costumes from the Łowicz region takes a walk through the palace grounds
Karolin – Centre for Polish Folklore
The Centre for Polish Folklore in Karolin was born out of passion and respect for traditional folk culture. The education centre in the restored palace is a continuation of the mission of the founders of Mazowsze National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble. Renowned composer, conductor and educator Tadeusz Sygietyński, and Mira Zimińska, star of screen and stage, pledged over seventy years ago to create an ensemble inspired by Polish regional songs and dances.

Today, Mazowsze is one of the biggest folk-inspired artistic ensembles in the world. In its historic home –  Karolin Palace – visitors are invited to view its collections and to share in its knowledge and experience.
The exhibition at the palace. Visible are costumes inspired by traditional dress from the Kurpie region. The wooden decorations represent paper cut outs from the Kołbiel region
The Exhibition
Two themes run through the permanent exhibition in the restored palace. The first is the presentation of the colourful and diverse folklore of Polish regions, including Pomorze, Warmia and Mazury, Eastern Mazowsze and Podlasie, Western Mazowsze, Wielkopolska and Kujawy, Śląsk and Małopolska. As well as showcasing folk song, music dance and traditional dress, the exhibition gives visitors the opportunity to explore the Polish national dances: the polonez, mazur, kujawiak, oberek and krakowiak, which have their roots in traditional folk dances.
The exhibition at the palace. Visible are folk costumes based on traditional dress from the Opoczno region. The quotation on the panels reads: “Music is never ending” Jan Gaca/ fiddler
The Exhibition
The second theme centres on the unique style of Mazowsze National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble, and its approach to the adaptation of Polish folklore for the stage, in which features of regional culture form the basis of intricate, evocative choreographies and musical compositions. The Jewel in the Crown of the Republic of Poland and the Ambassador for Polish Culture document the ensemble’s colourful and unique history, and its journey onto the stages of the world.

The permanent exhibition at the Centre for Polish Culture constitutes a colourful and musical journey through Polish culture, which inspires the work of Mazowsze National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble.
The foyer. Visible are ‘Mazowsze’ Ensemble’s costumes from the Napoleonic Era and those of the Polish nobility, a light fixture with folk art motifs and poufs for visitors
Exhibition Design
  • Conception, detailed design and designer’s supervision of the permanent exhibition was carried out by Mirosław Nizio’s studio, Nizio Design International.
  • The permanent exhibition was constructed by MWE Sp. z o.o.
  • Exhibition text: Dr hab. Tomasz Nowak, Małgorzata Orlewicz MA, Dr Jacek Jackowski
  • Graphic design, user interface design, user experience design, animations: Monika Tomaszewska MA, Dawid Kozłowski PhD
        Materials on display include:
  • Photographic materials from the collections of the City Museum of Tychy
  • Film footage from the Polish Television Archives (TVP S.A.) and the Documentary and Feature Film Studios (WFDiF)
  • Materials from the Phonographic Collection of the Institute of Art of the Polish Academy of Sciences © Instytut Sztuki PAN
    Selection of archival recordings: Dr Jacek Jackowski
    Preparation and editing of video recordings: Maciej Królikowski MA
    Reconstruction and mastering of archival recordings: Anna Rutkowska MA