Autentyczność twórczości ludowej Lubelszczyzny

Abstract

In times of civilization changes Polish villages lose out on cultural values, especially related to folk culture. Its decline is to a large extend connected with economic progress but also with difficult economic conditions of inhabitants of villages. The above statement applies to Lublin area, one of these regions whose potential is not esteemed, especially cultural heritage. On the premises of the research i.e. districts of Janów, Biłgoraj and Włodawa, the number of folk artists is slowly diminishing, traditions are rarely passed from generation to generation. However, artistic production of the examined area is still authentic. Due to the fact that this region is only sporadically visited by tourists, folk artists create forms in agreement with old tradition, passed from generation to generation, not imitating products of other regions, creating mostly to satisfy their own interests. However, the functions of folk production of this region are gradually changing. Apart from the original functions of artistic production in the past, there appears a desire for getting awards and fame and finally earning money from selling products in towns and to tourists visiting this region. So more and more benefits emerge – folk artists have found some opportunities of getting extra, very often the only income, which is ‘the last resort’ for their tight budget. Despite changes, villages in Lublin area still possess an enormous cultural potential – timbered folk buildings, a dialect, traditional cuisine and also extremely abundant and archaic calendar of rites and customs. All these elements constitute everyday life of inhabitants of the region. Yet, to preserve this cultural potential and to encourage the folk artists to deal with folk craft, it is essential to back up and motivate them. In spite of the fact that the dominating factor is to satisfy their own interests and passions, the number of creating for ‘the sake of creation’ or to satisfy the needs of villagers will be decreasing. The aim to create must be clearly seen and nowadays when the Polish village does not need folk production, such an aim must be introduced. However, it is worth considering not to deprive the Lublin area of its ‘roots’ and may it still be based on traditional patterns, independently of the purpose it will serve.