The concert consists of songs in Yiddish, Hebrew and Esperanto languages from the three albums of Karolina Cicha: “9 Languages”, “Yiddishland” and “Jeden wiele”. Some of them, like “Yedid nefesh” are taken from spiritual culture. Other songs have poetical lirics written by Jewish poets from Podlaskie region: Chaim Siemiatycki, Rabbi Elizer Szulman of Tykocin or Moris Rosenfeld from Sejny. There are also the testimonies of the places: “Bialystok main heim” and other traditional Jewish songs connected with this region, as well as a song, written in archaic Yiddish, by the XVIth century scholar Rivka Tiktiner, whose father was raised in Tykocin. Some of this texts have never seen the light of day – have never left the archives. There is a place for Esperanto – the language invented by polish Jew – Ludwik Zamenhof who was born in Białystok.
‘Cicha’s unique approach to rare repertoire is absolutely compelling, and her artistry on stage, as performer and musician is riveting. I have directed the oldest festival of Jewish music in the U.S for the past fifteen years. In that capacity, I have heard a wide range of artists from around the world who present Jewish music. Ms. Cicha stands out. Her work is original, intelligent, and creative, and makes a strong contribution to contemporary Jewish culture.’
– Eleonor Shapiro / Jewish Music Festiwal, Berkley, California
‘Karolina Cicha is a charismatic singer and a composer endowed with extraordinary sensibility to poetic phrase. The concert is born out of her fascination with musical tradition and brings what is the most precious in it: an element of truth and the roots’ energy. She combines it, in an uncompromising way, with the innovative sound of the instruments and the emotional, filled with passion singing.’
– Miron Zajfert, Artistic Director of New Jewish Music Festival in Warsaw.
Cicha performed at such an international Jewish Centres & Festivals as:
‘Simchat Chaim’Festival in Poznań / Poland (2020)
‘Festival of Jewish Culture’ in Paris / France (2018)
Museum of the History of Polish Jews POLIN in Warsaw / Poland (2020, 2016)
‘Five Temples Fesitval’ in Gyor / Hungary (2016)
‘Singer’s Warsaw Jewish Culture Festival’ / Poland (2015)
‘Klezmore Festiwal’ in Wienna / Austria (2014)
‘Simcha’ Festival in Wrocław / Poland (2014)
‘Zachor’ Festival in Białystok / Poland (2013)
‘New Jewish Music Festival’ in Warsaw / Poland (V 2013)