Zielona Góra Wine Festival (Winobranie)

In communist-era Poland a rumour went around that during Winobranie in Zielona Góra you were fed for free and even offered wine — which may explain why crowds poured into town. Today Winobranie, also called Zielona Góra Days, is a 9-day event in September, the biggest wine festival in Poland and the region's most important cultural event. The town turns into one big fair, a parade led by Bacchus winds through the streets, and winemakers from all over the Lubuskie region pour their wines in little wooden huts.

History: since 1842

According to tradition, Zielona Góra's winemaking goes back to settlers from Flanders who are said to have arrived in 1150, and the first documented mention of local winemaking dates from 1314. From 1842 the town council announced the start of the grape harvest in the town and surrounding area, and official celebrations began in 1846. In the past Winobranie usually took place in the first half of October and ended with a parade featuring Bacchus and historical figures. A particularly lavish festival was held in 1900 for the 750th anniversary of Zielona Góra's vineyards, when seven bands and a choir of winegrowers accompanied the parade. The first post-war Winobranie was organised by Polish settlers as early as autumn 1945.

Bacchus and the parade

The most colourful moment is the parade, usually staged by the Lubuski Theatre: several hundred people — stilt walkers, street theatres, pupils and local associations — march along the main street behind the King of Winobranie, Bacchus. Vineyards ride on floats, and winemakers offer wine along the route. According to historian Grzegorz Biszczanik, Bacchus only became the central figure after the Second World War. In communist times the parades used props from historical films — knights from "The Teutonic Knights", warriors from "Gniazdo" and winged hussars in costumes from "The Deluge". After a break of several years the parade returned in 2006, with Zielona Góra's winemakers in the lead.

What happens during the festival

• Wine Village — a zone where regional winemakers present and sell their wines in wooden huts.
• The Winobranie Wine Competition and a home-made wine contest in Zielona Góra's Palm House.
• The Winobranie Fair, concerts and a street-theatre festival.
• A Wine Culture Festival with trips to vineyards, plus cruises on the Oder in a traditional galar barge.

Interesting facts

The festival's anthem is the "Winobranie Waltz" sung by Janusz Gniatkowski, recorded in 1961. In 1942 there was no Winobranie — the town was mourning residents killed at the front. At past festivals people even paid with a commemorative coin known as "one Bacchus".

Tripto tip

Winobranie takes place in the first half of September; the town publishes the full programme each year. The town gets crowded during the festival, so book accommodation early. If you come at another time of year, you can learn about Winobranie in the wine department of the Lubuskie Land Museum, where an information kiosk presents past festivals, including a postcard from 1900.