Academic Song And Dance Ensemble Kujon

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

The Academic Song and Dance Ensemble "Kujon" has been active since 1987 and is an academic folklore ensemble in Łódź. The ensemble brings together students and graduates of Łódź universities – graduates of the University of Łódź, as well as the Łódź University of Technology, the Medical University, the Academy of Music, the Film School, and other higher education institutions. "Kujon" is an honorary badge of the City of Łódź awarded for promoting folklore and the city. The ensemble's name was inspired by the culture of the nearby Duchy of Łowicz – kujon refers to one of the most characteristic dances of the region, which was one of the first to be experimentally applied. During its 35-year history, the ensemble has performed countless times both in Poland and abroad. "The Nerd's" travel map includes countries such as Italy, Algeria, Russia, Turkey, France, Spain, Scotland, Ukraine, South Korea, Thailand, Belarus, Slovakia, Portugal, Sardinia, Macedonia, Greece, and, in 2025, Chile. Performances with major teams, awards and accolades, and the player's affection. Our achievements include:

Special Prize for Choreography at the Samsun Folklore Festival in Turkey
Grand Prix at the Sidi Bel Abbes Festival in Algeria
Grand Prix at the 6th Castellan Folklore Meetings in Sierpc
First Prize at the 10th National Festival of Folklore Groups "O Kujawski Wianek" in Włocławek
Second Place at the 9th Castellan Folklore Meetings in Sierpc

"Kujon" is a member of the Polish Section of C.I.O.F.F. - International Council of Associations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Art and has a current PS CIOFF verification valid until 2029.

Our ensemble received funding from the 2026 edition of the EtnoPolska program for the project ,,Utkane z tradycji - zakup strojów krośnieńskich" (,,Woven from tradition - purchase of Krosno costumes")

Structure

Association authorities and instructor staff

Association Board:

Marta Kaczmarek - President of the Board
Tomasz Markiewicz - Member of the Board
Marek Bładyko - Member of the Board
Adam Jaśkiewicz - Member of the Board
Michał Bielawski - Member of the Board

Instructor staff:

Marta Papis - Artistic Director, Choreographer, and Dance Instructor for the Representative and Graduate Groups
Anna Telega-Staniszewska - Dance Instructor for the Preparatory and Intermediate Groups

Student council

The Student Council for the 2025/2026 season is composed of:

Lena Owsianka - Chairwoman
Marta Kaczmarek
Gabriela Mikinka
Natalia Machnik
Małgorzata Muskała
Konstancja Tosik-Nowak

Representative group

Members of this group possess the necessary knowledge and skills to fully represent the ensemble at an appropriate artistic level in concerts and presentations both in Poland and abroad. The representative group includes members of "Kujona" with relatively long experience, as well as those qualified from the intermediate group who demonstrate adequate training.

Rehearsals for the representative group take place on: Mondays, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM (led by Marta Papis)

The aim of the classes is to improve dance and vocal skills, perfect dance routines and dance technique, and prepare for participation in presentations, concerts, and festivals.

Intermediate group

Members of this group have mastered the basic knowledge and skills taught in preparatory classes, but they do not yet possess the proficiency required for the representative group classes.

Intermediate group rehearsals are held on: Wednesdays, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM (led by Anna Telega-Staniszewska)

The aim of these classes is to improve dancing and vocal skills, perfect dance routines and techniques, and prepare for participation in presentations and concerts.

Preparatory group (beginners)

The preparatory group consists of individuals who are beginning their folk dance adventure at "Kujon."

Rehearsals for the preparatory group take place on:

Tuesdays, 6:00 PM - 7:45 PM (led by Anna Telega-Staniszewska)

The aim of the classes is to develop aesthetic movement and proper posture, develop musical sensitivity, develop movement habits useful in dance and stage performance, learn basic dance steps and figures with a particular emphasis on Polish national and regional dances, and familiarize students with the ensemble's dance and vocal repertoire. Individuals who meet the above requirements may be accepted into the intermediate group.

By decision of the Rector of the University of Lodz in 2007, participation in the ensemble's classes is essential for passing mandatory physical education classes.

Graduate group

The Graduate group consists of individuals who were members of the representative group during their student years and have returned to dancing with the ensemble after a long break.

Graduate rehearsals are held on: Tuesdays, 7:45 PM - 9:15 PM (led by Marta Papis)

During rehearsals, the alumni group works on their own repertoire, which they perform during the ensemble's major concerts.

Repertoire

National and regional dances

National dances:

Noble Polonaise (music by Karol Kurpiński, chor. by Marta Papis)

Dances of Old Łódź: "Na majówce w Mani - lesie" (chor. by Jolanta Dąbrowska, musical arrangement by Tadeusz Muszyński)

Regional Dances:

"^uOd Sieradza płynie rzyka"- Dances and Songs of the Sieradz Region (chor. by Marta Papis, musical arrangement by Stanisław Wojtczak, Konrad Sosiński)
Dances and Songs of the Spisz Region (chor. by Maria Kuśnierz-Skonieczna, musical arrangement by Ryszard Kruszyński)
Dances and Songs of Rzeszów (chor. by Marta Papis, musical arrangement by Konrad Sosiński)
Dances and Songs of Krosno (chor. by Anna Telega-Staniszewska, musical arrangement by Konrad Sosiński)
Dances and Songs of the Beskid Śląski (chor. Anna Telega-Staniszewska, musical arrangement: Konrad Sosiński)
Academic Polonaise (music: Włodzimierz Nowak)

Ritual medleys:

Midsummer Songs (Wiązanka pieśni sobótkowych) (chor. Marta Papis, musical arrangement: Konrad Sosiński)

Vocal repertoire

Polyphonic works:

Nasiałam se rutki" - a song from Biłgoraj
"Krywaniu" - a highland song
"Kare konie" - a song from the Lublin region

Songs from various regions of Poland:"Jadą goście", "Jedzie Jasiu", "Kochanie, kochanie", "Kukułeczka", "Mateusz", "Świeci miesiąc", songs from Spisz region

Known and popular songs:"Czerwone jagody", "Zachodzi słoneczko", "Prząśniczka"

Patriotic songs: "Pałacyk Michla", "Pieśń konfederatów barskich", "Modlitwa obozowa", "Już dopala się ogień biwaku", "Legiony", "Szara piechota", "Przybyli ułani pod okienko"

Christmas carols and pastorals:"Dnia jednego o północy", "Gore gwiazda", "Łokarynki, fujarecki", "Pastuszkowie, bracia mili", "Kołysanka wigilijna", "Pastorałka od serca do ucha"

Concert offer

Our artistic programs can enhance many events artistically. To date, we have had the pleasure of performing at harvest festivals, Midsummer's Eve concerts, and Christmas wafer gatherings, among others. We are open to performing at various special events, conferences, product and service promotions, anniversary celebrations, official meetings, and the opening of new facilities and institutions.

The fee for performances is negotiated individually with the client. The price depends on:

the type of performance,
duration,
participation of dancers or musicians.

The program presented during the performance is tailored to the client's preferences – it can be a song concert, a dance performance, or a long-form performance featuring a significant portion of the repertoire. We approach each event individually to meet the organizers' expectations. For more information about the concerts, please contact the Ensemble's management. Interested parties are asked to contact us by email or via private message on our social media.