For a quarter of a century, brass band music in Ruda Śląska has provided more than entertainment, bringing generations together through a shared local tradition.
On Saturday, August 22, Kozioł Park in the Ruda district will host the 25th Augustyn Kozioł Wind Band Festival, an anniversary gathering centred on music, majorettes and community. The programme begins with a march of bands and majorettes before moving into a series of performances, with singer Teresa Werner among the day's headline acts.
The festival's 25-year history is closely connected with a much older musical tradition in Ruda Śląska. Local brass bands have played an important role in community life for generations, appearing at celebrations, holidays and gatherings across the city.
Mayor Michał Pierończyk describes the anniversary as an opportunity to continue that tradition and pass it on.
"25 years of the Wind Band Festival is a beautiful anniversary and proof that there are traditions worth cultivating and passing on to future generations. In Ruda Śląska, the music of wind bands is part of our identity – it resounds during important celebrations, holidays, and community gatherings. I am delighted that once again we will be able to meet in Kozioł Park and celebrate this special anniversary together. I invite everyone – there will be lots of good music, but above all, it will be our shared, Ruda celebration," emphasizes Mayor Michał Pierończyk.
A festival rooted in a much older musical history
The Ruda Śląska Wind Orchestra Festival was initiated in 1999 by councilor Jan Konieczny as a tribute to Augustyn Kozioł, one of the city's most distinguished bandmasters. The park in which the festival takes place also bears his name.
Kozioł Park itself has a history reaching back to the 1880s, when it was established at the initiative of the Ballestrem family. Its bandshell was built in 1930, creating a setting that has long been associated with outdoor music.
The city's brass band tradition is still older. The Brass Band of the KWK "Bielszowice" Coal Mine has been active since 1919, while the Brass Band of the KWK "Pokój" Coal Mine dates from 1922. The Brass Band of the KWK "Halemba" Coal Mine has been playing for 66 years.
These ensembles form part of the musical heritage that the festival continues to place in a contemporary community setting.
Remembering the bandmaster behind the festival
Augustyn Kozioł was born in Ruda on August 4, 1902. An electrician by profession, he studied at the Zabrze Conservatory of Music while working, and between 1920 and 1926 completed a bandmaster's course with Cieplik in Zabrze.
From 1926, he led the brass band founded in 1922 at the Brandenburg mine, alongside conducting the "Bzel" and "Lutnia" choirs from 1927 to 1939. Under his direction, the band gained recognition during the 1930s, supported by miners who pledged regular contributions from their earnings.
Following the Second World War, that tradition continued. The orchestra's achievements included first place in the 1948 National Review of Mining Bands, which earned it the title of Representative Orchestra of the Ministry of Mining. It went on to receive regional and national awards.
Kozioł was also a composer and received numerous distinctions for his long service and contribution to the promotion of music. He died on October 2, 1984.
For Krzysztof Piecha, head of the Department of Culture, Social Communication, and City Promotion, his legacy illustrates the wider role of brass bands in local life.
"The story of Augustyn Kozioł demonstrates that the brass band was more than just a musical ensemble. It brought people together, built bonds, and was an important part of local community life. This heritage is still alive in Ruda Śląska. The best example is the festival, which for 25 years has allowed us to gather around music and remember the people who created this tradition," says Krzysztof Piecha, head of the Department of Culture, Social Communication, and City Promotion.
The anniversary programme reflects that continuing connection between generations. Alongside established brass bands, the "Akcent" majorette ensemble will perform, while attractions for children and a varied repertoire add to the afternoon's community focus.
Vice Mayor Anna Krzysteczko describes that intergenerational quality as one of the festival's defining features.
"The Brass Band Festival has something special – it connects generations," notes Vice Mayor Anna Krzysteczko. "Some come here because they've been listening to Ruda orchestras for years, others are discovering this music for the first time, and still others simply want to spend a good weekend afternoon with family and friends." The anniversary edition will be an opportunity not only to listen to great music, but also to gather together and have a good time. Of course, there will be orchestras and majorettes, attractions for children, a diverse repertoire, and a performance by Teresa Werner," he adds.
After 25 years, the festival therefore represents more than an annual programme of performances. Its significance lies in the continuity it creates between the city's musical past and its present, keeping a distinctly local tradition visible and audible for another generation.
Visitor Information
Event: 25th Augustyn Kozioł Wind Band Festival
Date: Saturday, August 22
Venue: Augustyn Kozioł Park, Ruda district, Ruda Śląska
Start: 3:30 PM
3:30 PM: March of bands and majorettes from in front of the St. Joseph's Sanctuary to Augustyn Kozioł Park
3:45 PM: Brass Band of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Katowice
4:30 PM: Teresa Werner
5:30 PM: "Halemba" Brass Band
6:05 PM: "Pokój" Brass Band
6:40 PM: "Bielszowice" Brass Band
Throughout the programme: Performances by the "Akcent" majorette ensemble
