If you’d told a Varsovian or Cracovian ten years ago that within a decade Katowice would become the centre for innovative and trend-setting cultural festivals in Poland, they would probably have scoffed and rolled their eyes...
The tipping point came in 2010 when the Off Festival officially moved its location from Mysłowice to Katowice and with it came tens of thousands of festival goers from all over the world. In the same year the Tauron Nowa Muzyka won the prestigious award for Best Small European Festival. Suddenly, Katowice was cool! Every year since, festival line-ups have gotten bigger and better and the city, along with its many cultural organisations and residents, has wholeheartedly embraced the influx of culture and visitors. Now instead of rolling their eyes at the mention of Katowice people roll out!
Here’s a quick rundown of the best festivals to check out throughout the year:
STREET ART FESTIVAL
May
The newest festival on Katowice’s rapidly expanding cultural calendar. Started in 2011 it features a wide range of interactive events, mural installations, exhibitions and concerts.
www.katowicestreetartfestival.pl
CROPP Cult Film Festival
May
Originally just the 'Cult Film Festival', this quirky event was started in the late 90’s and celebrates everyone’s favourite ambiguous film genre: Cult Films! So strap on your lightsaber, brush up on your Romero and head to one of the hundreds of screenings scattered all over the Silesian METROPOLIS.
