WARSAW PILGRIMS IN THE POLISH PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC MEANINGS HIDDEN IN SINGING

The author discusses the musical behaviour and repertoire of the pilgrims of the Warsaw Walking Pilgrimage to Jasna G & oacute;ra, Cz & eogon;stochowa, as a response to the socio-political situation in Poland during the communist period. She starts with Bohlman's thesis that hidden meanings can be found in the music of pilgrims, which can help to understand them at a particular time. First, she looks at actions taken by the communist authorities towards pilgrims in Poland. Then she discusses the ways in which pilgrims reacted to them through singing in three selected periods: during the "forbidden" pilgrimage in 1963, during the 1966 pilgrimage and in the 1980s. The last part of this article reflects on the meanings given to pilgrimage and pilgrimage music in the time in question. The reflections lead to the conclusion that for pilgrims singing during the communist era was a way of expressing feelings and views as well as a means of strengthening resistance against the authorities.