The Choir of Salesians Society and Józefowe Kwiatki are the festival winners

The music assembly of Salesians Society which works at the Świętokrzyskie Jan Bosco Oratorio in Kielce is the first prize winner of the jubilee, 11th edition of the Festival of Religious Songs in the age category of over 13. The festival was held on 14th June in Kielce Culture Centre as the accompanying event to the SACROEXPO fair. The winner in the category of below 13 y.o. is Józefowe Kwiatki (Flowers of Josef) from the Kielce parish.

For eleven years during the SACROEXPO fair, the most beautiful religious songs reverberate in Kielce Culture Centre. Young artists and composers present their achievements and the professional jury panel selects the competition winners. Over 700 participants from Kielce Diocese HAD been qualified for this year’s finals.

The Festival of Religious Songs is the endeavour initiated by Father Jerzy Ostrowski – the Director of the Ministerial Department at the Diocese Curia in Kielce, Father Stanisław Kiśmierczyk – the priest who works in the Cathedral Parish in Kielce and Mr Stanisław Jurkowski – a musician, sound engineer and the manager of the “Fema” and “The Stanley’s Band” music ensembles. The last mentioned is also the host of the festival.

The idea to hold the was put forward when “The Stanley’s Band” was created in the Academic Ministry Centre “Odnowa”, the group which works in the Cathedral Basilica and was at that time supervised by Father Stanisław. The band was responsible for song animation during the liturgy and other ministerial meetings. The band creation was the result of Father Stanislaw’s prior analysis which indicated the demand for this form of cultural activity among young people and their search for a new form of the Gospel presentation. Music appeared to be the best form of communication with young people.