Kapela Batareja (from “batarejka” – flashlight) was founded in 2017 in Bialystok. Its members are fascinated by traditional music from various parts of Poland, but most often reach for the repertoire of its eastern part – melodies from Suwałki, Podlasie, Lublin, as well as the eastern borderland. The group’s repertoire includes two- and three-dimensional dances, such as polkas, waltzes, obereks, as well as dances with figures, such as the chodzony, Ukrainian “hrechanyki,” Belarusian “wasadula” and Jewish dances. Batareja plays at festivals, village and city dances, weddings and outdoor events (including Midsummer Night in Zamosc, Siabrouskaja Biasieda in Grodek, Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity in Bialystok), conducts musical games for young and old. It has conducted a series of classes for entertainers as part of the “Little Kolberg in Podlasie” project (2017-2018) and workshops for children and young people, among others, as part of the “EtnoPodlasie” project (2018-2021). The band initiates dances in Bialystok, caroling actions and “playing under balconies,” because what it enjoys most about playing and singing is living and direct contact with people and experiencing music together.

Band composition:

Julita Charytoniuk – hoop drum, baraban, singing

Magdalena Dąbrowska – violin, dance

Mateusz Tymura – accordion, singing

Zbyszek Rusiłowicz – dulcimer, double-barreled dulcimer