Kutno Land Song & Dance Band has been founded in October 1968 at the Children & Youth House of Culture in Kutno. The founder and first manager and choreographer of the band was Kazimierz Jóźwiak - former member of "Mazovia" band. The following person were cooperating with him: Mirosław Przybył (chorusmaster), Henryk Wesołowski (music band manager), Jerzy Czechowski (accompanist), Edward Pągowski (choir and music band consultant) and Janusz Nachrzter (dance consultant).

On 20th October 1968 was published an announcement about recruitment of candidates to the newly created band. For 153 submitted candidates in age 16-18 years, 65 were accepted to dance group and choir. Simultaneously has been created a folk band mainly consisting of local music school students. Costumes for country group (Kujavian) has been manufactured by Folk & Artistic Industry Centre in Warsaw. For city group costumes has been manufactured by Kutno Clothing Producer's Cooperative "Diana" according to artist Stanisław Kurman's project.

The first seat of the band was premises of Intercooperative Club in Sienkiewicza Street 2. After a few months of rehearsals the band prepared an 80 minutes long, full spectacle folkloristic program consisting of 3 stage pictures titled: „Suburban party", „Marriage desire", „Matchmakers”.

The premiere concert took place on 6th June 1969 on "19th January" cinema's stage in Kutno. Simultaneously with development of dance, music and vocal skills and enrichment of program, the sets of costumes were being complemented: Lublin, Cracow and completely original, previously unrecorded in etnographic catalogues, regional Kutno costume. It's worth mentioning that Kutno region is not separate historic territory, nor geographic and etnographic. It basically always been situated in Łęczyca folkloristic tradition, although was receptive to Kujavian and Masurian influences, due to its location. It is mentioned by Oskar Kolberg in XXII volume of „The People”, which was fully dedicated to Łęczyca land. "The outfit of local people was slightly different from costumes of Rawa and Łowicz Masurians. Only in the area around Krośniewice the outfit was similar to Kujavian costumes from Kowal. The women's outfit differed only in differently perked up bonnet and slightly shorter top coat”.

When in May 1972 Kutno House of Culture was opened, the band moved to the modern building and functional rooms. The new seat had a rehearsals hall, big stage scene and full social and technical facilities. At that time the band numbered 50 people.

In June 1979 died the director of Kutno House of Culture Kazimierz Jóźwiak - band's manager and choreographer.The new manager became Jerzy Papiewski. The squad of teaching personnel was also changed. The artistic manager and choreographer became Edward Batarowicz, music band manager - Lechosław Stelmaszewski, chorusmaster – Ildefons Łaszewski, dresser – Barbara Sakson.

The band has been praising Kutno in Poland and abroad. It performed in Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, the Soviet Union and repeatedly in Yugoslavia. The band presented eight programs based on Kutno folklore, which was represented on many domestic and foreign scenes. The participation in festivals and reviews, records for the Polish Radio and TV is one great success streak of the band. High artistic standard, rich costumes and wonderful choreographic arrangements were also noticed by national government.

Unfortunately, due to unfavourable events and political and economical transformations there was made a hard decision on ending of the band's activity. This happened in 1990, and was followed by 18 years period of hibernation. In June 2008, as a result of talks between Krystyna Korkus and Małgorzata Wielkopolan, there arose a plan to organise the meeting of former member of Kutno Land Song & Dance Band and the performance at Rose Holiday. Iwona Frontczak, Agata Wielkopolan and Andrzej Śnieć were invited to cooperation. Thanks to expeditious and far-flung action were found the former dancers, singers, musicians, chorusmaster and choreographer. Good will, trust, support and great favor which Teresa Mosingiewicz, the director of Kutno House of Culture endowed us with caused the band to start rehearsals. There were only two vacation months left to the Rose Holiday. Worn-out and too slim costumes has been refreshed using band's own means, some shoes has been repaired, some were borrowed.

The first concert after years of silence was broadcasted on 14th September 2008. It proved to be a hit of Kutno Rose Holiday. Band reactivation has turned out to be unavoidable.

Contact:

Kutno Land Song & Dance Band
Chairwoman: Krystyna Marianna Korkus
99-301 Kutno
Chrobry Street 10/7
phone: 695 732 549
zespol@folklor-kutno.pl

source: www.folklor-kutno.pl