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At the cultural center in the middle of Bukowina, there was a competition between local schools. The events were all traditional singing, dancing, string instruments, and storytelling. I was really sick the night before so I ended up just sitting, watching, and drawing in the cultural center for hours during the entire competition. A group of older kids (probably high school aged) were a little too loud for the sound system. This girl was one of them.

Everyone in the competition was wearing traditional mountain costumes. The wide leather belts that the guys wear are kind of like corsets and were historically meant to protect the wearer from being stabbed in the guts.

I thought the performances were amazing and kind of wish the whole thing went on longer. The dancing and singing routines were pretty repetitive since each type of routine was done by at least a few different groups of kids competing against each other. It was all really symbolic and I was getting more into it every time I saw another version of the same routine. Some of the youngest kids in the storytelling competition were so animated and emotive that I was impressed without even being able to understand the language. The next time I go, I’ll know enough Polish to get the whole thing.

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