The world of village life, and especially of traditional musical culture, with all its authenticity, simplicity and unique atmosphere, now passing away, inspired Andrzej Bieńkowski to create something that lets us stop the fleeing time for a while and have a closer look at things which are gradually becoming the past. Andrzej Bieńkowski, professor of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, a distinguished artist honoured with many awards (among them Oskar Kolber Award, 1995), presents the world of the past in a truthful and beautiful way.

Paintings by Andrzej Bieńkowski are especially acclaimed. His pictures were shown at 30 individual and over 100 collective exhibitions both at home and abroad.

Films which will be shown at "Mikołajki Folkowe" are: "Ukraine 2006. In search of pagan rites" and "Jewish music in memory of village musicians".

Photographs presented at the festival were taken by Bieńkowski after the year 2000 during field research and recording of village musicians.