Elwira Kamińska’s contribution to the establishment of The Stanisław Hadyna Song and Dance Ensemble ‘Śląsk’. The attempt at an anthropological reconstruction of the biography

Abstract

This article is devoted to the choreographer and educator Elwira Kaminska, one of the key figures in the history of The Stanisław Hadyna Song and Dance Ensemble ‘Śląsk.’ It presents a comprehensive biographical overview of the choreographer, providing an insight into the most significant stages of her life and highlighting the defining characteristics of her work, both artistic and educational. The article attempts to analyse Kamińska’s contribution to the establishment and activities of the ‘Śląsk’ Ensemble, as well as to the formation of the ensemble’s artistic image. Showing that, in co-creating cultural performances, Kamińska combined professional stage choreography with traditional elements of folk culture, thereby reinterpreting folk culture, which in turn ensured its enduring relevance within a broader cultural context.