International Sea Song Festival Shanties 2026

The second half of February will see Kraków turned into a harbour teeming with the music of wind and water. This year, travellers from Poland and every corner of Europe will arrive in the capital of Małopolska a day earlier than usual – the 45th edition of the festival will be inaugurated with a meeting ‘by the Masurian campfire’ at the Radio Kraków studio (18.02). You can expect different vibes at the Żaczek club (19.02) – there will be plenty of dancing and singing thanks to the anniversary of the EKT Gdynia band. From Friday to Sunday (20–22.02), the festival sailing ship will dock at the Kijów Cinema. The programme features eight offerings, including classic shanties with the Sąsiedzi band and friends, songs from below the deck, a trip to the poles, a cruise to the treacherous isles and morning concerts for children. The attendees will also get to go on a journey to the Main Market Square (Open Air Shanties, 21.02) and the Kraków Philharmonic (22.02), where popular soloists of the shanty scene, the ‘Zawisza Czarny’ Male Shanty Choir and a symphony orchestra will present the hits of the 45 years of the festival. During the grand finale at the Kijów Cinema, the sounds of The Leaving of Liverpool will signal that this year’s journey has come to an end. As always, the concerts will be accompanied by a nautical fair, screenings of archive films and exhibitions of photographs, as well night-time musical meetings at the Stary Port tavern. (Bartosz Suchecki, Karnet)