A traditional Polish band will be one of the highlights at an evening to celebrate the cultural of Poland which is scheduled for this Friday at 7pm in St Macartin's Cathedral Hall. The event is free and everyone is welcome.

The programme will include an opening address; traditional folk dance by primary school children ; modern dance by secondary school children; Highlander's folk music, song and dance performance by a professional band from Zakopane, Poland; accordion music performed by a Fermanagh school student; and a singing and dancing session.

There will also be a display of tourism; books and albums in Polish and English; a selection of souvenirs from Poland; a children's corner; and a chance to sample some Polish cuisine, sweets and drinks.

The band will present folk art of the Polish Highlands 'Podhale' in its authentic form.

Its repertoire mirrors the richness of this region.

The music, dance and singing are rooted in multigeneration tradition of local people and create an independent and original part of the cultural heritage of the Carpathian Mountains. Podhale's music is full of vitality and temperament.

Fiddles and highland bass are main instruments. The tunes handed down to succeeding generations, keep their characteristic melodic motives.

Highlander's dance is similar to the music: it is dynamic and full of vitality.

The basic dance is performed by a couple of dancers and consists of few different steps, interrupted by short songs performed by a male dancer. The characteristic variant of the dance is 'zbójnicki' (robber's) a male group dance performed in the measure of march.