Reggae Nad Wartą 2008: Jafia Namuel, Maleo Reggae Rockers and Jamal in Gorzów

Twenty years have now passed since the first legendary edition of Gorzów’s Reggae Nad Wartą festival at the municipal amphitheatre. It is safe to say that this is one of the most important places, if not the most important, in the history of Polish reggae. It was here in 1986 that the first festival took place, with revolutionary ideas voiced to Caribbean rhythms, challenging the ruling party’s single, supposedly “correct” worldview. The stage welcomed the country’s finest bands, including Izrael, Daab, Gedeon Jerubbal and R.A.P. During those two days, something magical happened, something that matters more than anything in life: every one of the many thousands attending could feel truly free for a moment.

Reggae Nad Wartą’s history has seen many highs, but also some lows. In the mid-1990s, the event ceased for financial reasons. Fortunately, in 2005, the organisers made an entirely successful attempt to revive it. With each subsequent edition, the line-up becomes more interesting. This year, the promoters have firmly backed Poland’s younger generation of musicians, although that does not mean artists with much longer histories will be absent. After all, the festival’s aim is to champion the home-grown reggae scene, since it is primarily thanks to that scene that this music has become so popular in Poland.

Over two days, 25 and 26 July, Gorzów’s festival will welcome a varied range of artists to the legendary amphitheatre stage. The first day features Jafia Namuel, Maleo Reggae Rockers and the innovative Ruta & Inity Dub Mission project, created by musicians from Gedeon Jerubbal. On the second day, Jamal, Managga and Tumbao Riddim Band, supported by one of Poland’s finest singers, Bob One, will showcase their skills, among others. The festival’s special guest will be Wayne McArthur, an exceptionally talented MC who has been part of the British reggae and dub scene for around thirty years and has recently caused a great stir in England and beyond.

Of course, the attractions do not end there. Once the amphitheatre concerts finish, the party moves to MCK’s performance hall and the eMCKa Magnat club, where leading Polish sound systems will perform. Dreadsquad, Tisztelet, LSM and many others will keep the party going until morning. A special campsite, Reggae Camp, will be prepared for visitors to Reggae Nad Wartą, giving every festival participant a place to rest and recharge.

Reggae Nad Wartą is an event you should attend, if only for its historical significance. Many young people forget a very important past, but for three years the Gorzów festival has given everyone an opportunity to reflect on earlier times, on what happened in the amphitheatre in 1986, and on the events without which our present would look very different. Let’s not forget our roots!

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