KrakowInformer.com

Lajkonik

If one doesn't wander around Nowa Huta at night, or meet a particularly dissatisfied group of Cracovia or Wisla fans, it is not likely that one will get hit with a bat or a club in Krakow. A mace – that's a different story. If you're hit – don't be mad, be grateful, as it will mean you've been blessed by the Lajkonik, one of the most distinguishable figures of the Krakow folklore – and one of the most loved ones. To commemorate Poland's victory over the Tatars, in 1241, the Lajkonik Parade is held each Spring in the Market Place of Krakow, Poland. The Lajkonik is the main character of a parade, taking place each year on the Thursday after the holiday of Corpus Christi.

A man in traditional LajKonik costume on the Rynek Glowny. (Main Market Square)

Who is the Lajkonik?

The Lajkonik is a bearded horseman, dressed in red, wearing a pointed hat and carrying a mace in his hand. Instead of galloping on a real horse, the Lajkonik uses his two feet – and a wooden horse is attached to his waist. The Lajkonik's red, rich attire clearly has something eastern in it – and indeed, it is modeled after a Tartar Khan's robe. The Krakow Lajkonik's outfit changed several times throughout the centuries, and the current version was designed by Stanislaw Wyspianski himself. If you can't make it to Krakow for the Lajkonik Parade, you can look for the Lajkonik's image on packs of salty sticks (yes, this legend, too, has been sold!).

The History of the Lajkonik

Although some claim that the Lajkonik tradition comes from pre-christian times, when Krakow was inhabited by the pagan Slavs (who left behind two of the Krakow Mounds), the more commonly believed story situates the parade's origin somewhere in the 13^th century, when Cracow was harassed by the Tartars. One day, some Tartars got close to the Polish capital, but decided not to attack until the next day and pitched camp near the Vistula river. The Tartars were seen by a couple of rafters from the Zwierzyniec (now a Krakow District), who managed to pull off a surprise attack and thus save the city. The victors, however, were not without a sense of humor – they took their victims' clothes and marched right into Krakow, making its half-asleep inhabitants think, that the gates have been breached and the Tartars are inside. After a while, they figured out what happened, and thanked the brave rafters and he Mayor of Krakow conceived the idea to commemorate them with an annual feast.

The Lajkonik Parade

In June each year, the Lajkonik Parade repeats the possible steps of the dressed-up rafters from the 13^th century, starting from the St. Norbert's Convent in the Zwierzyniec/Salwator district, and going all the way to the Krakow Main Square. On the way, the Lajkonik (gently) hits people with his (soft) mace, which is supposed to bring good luck. Once on the Krakow Main Square, the Lajkonik raises a toast, and drinks with the Mayor, to assure that the city of Cracow is once more free from the Tartars.

This Year's Lajkonik

In 2009, the Lajkonik parade will take place on Thursday, June 18^th – so be sure not to miss it if you're in Krakow at the time!