NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGION edited by Zakopianski Dwor

The Tatra Sheep's Bells

All those visiting the Tatra region this summer will have a chance to experience some of the most attractive regional events of the year. Starting early in July, the Tatrzanskie Wici (The Call of the Tatras) series of events will spoil you for choice as far as the outdoor attractions go. From regional food festivals, through highlander bands performing live, to bonfires in the valleys of the Tatra Mountains, the festival gives you an unforgettable chance to get some first-hand knowledge of this unique culture.

Commemorating hundreds of years back traditions, the festival expresses the enjoyment of the summer days in the mountainous region and the end of the sheep grazing period - the times of unique harvest and celebration as with the sheeps the fathers of the house and the helping sons used to return to their wifes, mothers and daughters. Actually, this kind of a lifestyle is still practised by a few shepherds in the Tatras, although it is much easier to contact them on an every day basis.

The Zakopane Manor would like to invite you to enjoy the happy moments of this special celebration time. Although not all the events take place in Zakopane itself, we will show you around or even provide a means to get everywhere you want this summer. Some of the festival events are not so much tourist oriented, but this is even a better reason to be a part of it and see the heart of it all. A very pleasant, original, and full-of-energy heart taking your breath with each Highlander beat.

The IX Call of the Tatras

in the Tatra District Region

the 3rd of July - the 12th of September

3- 4.07 – „Freedom Bell” – „Highland Robber Chiefs' Parade” – the opening ceremony of the

IX Call of the Tatras  - Zakopane, Plac pod Gubałówką (the square at the bottom of the Gubalowka Hill)

11. 07 – „The Cutiest Highlander Girl Pageant” – Biały Dunajec

17. 07 – „The Dunajec River Melodies” – Biały Dunajec

18. 07 – „Tatra Racing” – Zakopane – Plac pod Gubałówką

18. 07 – „The Dunajec River Melodies” – Biały Dunajec

18. 07 – „The Brzegi Hummings” – Brzegi

25. 07 – „Hunter's Day” – Jurgów

25. 07 – „The 10th Grand Witow Bonfire” – Witów

25. 07 – „The Day of the Trout” – Biały Dunajec

31. 07 – „2010 Non-Native Miss and Mister Pageant” – Białka Tatrzańska

01. 08 – „Highland Robber Chief Pageant” – Białka Tatrzańska

01. 08 – „The 3rd International Roller Ski Tournament” – Poronin

01. 08 – „Dog Champions Show” – Kościelisko, Kiry

05. 08 – „The European Fair of Regional Products” – Zakopane

06. 08 – „ The European Fair of Regional Products” – Zakopane

07. 08 – „ The European Fair of Regional Products”

„The Oscypek and All Cheese Festival” – Zakopane, Plac pod Gubałówką (the square at the bottom of the Gubalowka Hill)

08. 08 – „ The European Fair of Regional Products”

„The Oscypek and All Cheese Festival”, „The 2nd Highlanders' of the World Meeting” – Zakopane,  Plac pod Gubałówką (the square at the bottom of the Gubalowka Hill)

14. 08 – „The 7th Harenda Customs and Traditions” – Harenda, Zakopane

14. 08 – „Horse-Drawn Vehicles Driving Championships” – Ząb, Jarosze

14. 08 – „The Forest Day” – Siwa Polana

15. 08 – „MTB Harenda Grand Prix Zakopane” – Harenda, Zakopane

15. 08 – „Firemen Jokes, Tricks, and Games” – Ząb (Jarosze)

22. 08 – „The 9th Bear, Honey, and Beekeepers' Day” – Poronin

29. 08 – „The End of the Sheep Grazing Season and Feast in Nowe Bystre” – Nowe Bystre

05. 09 – „Meadow Feast” – Kościelisko – Kiry

12. 09 – „Shepherd's Feast” – the closing ceremony of the IX Call of the Tatras – Leśnica Groń

Gone with the flood.  --Tuesday, the 18th of May, 2010

It is likely the government and local authorities will have to pronounce a State of Emergency as the flood threat is reaching its worst case scenario.

Due to a vastly increased waterfall during the last two weeks it is now clear that the region of Malopolska (Little Poland) and its capital city – Krakow – are dealing with a serious natural disaster crisis.

Little has been done as far as the anti-flood protection goes since 1997 when the most devastating flood destroyed the regions of Silesia and a huge part of South Poland. With excessive rainfall occuring back to back in recent years, it’s the poor management on the side of local authorities that are to blame. Yesterday, the chief of the Internal Affairs and Administration Ministry admitted to not having completed a long expected official flood prevention plan, which makes all the local authorities unable to employ their own local solutions.

Zakopane has not been affected unlike the region of Podhale where the rivers have burst their banks and caused some initial destruction. It has been reported that there have already been casualties and hundreds of people have been evacuated.

Krakow itself has prepared a major plan to secure the lives of its citizens. Redirecting all traffic from the Debnicki bridge caused a minor paralysis to the city. The Vistula River, a serene and romantic stream that usually invites the lovers and poets to enjoy some sunny moments on its banks has shown its most uninviting face. A few more inches and it will surge over the bridge – a nightmare coming true to each Krakow citizen.

It’s a time that affects everyone, let alone the tourist industry. Have we reached the point where disasters like this will be present in this part of the world regularly now?

If the blame is on the local authorities, are they allowed to pass the responsibility onto the most developed countries claiming it has happened due to the climate change they have caused? Among the countries affected even to a larger scale are Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria and Hungary.

Looking from a mountaintop it’s not hard to come up with some predictions. It hasn’t ceased to rain and there’s plenty of snow up in here. Prepare for worse. And let’s hope for a few dry days with no sun in the Tatras. Suddenly very few elements are on our side.