Przystanek Woodstock

Przystanek Woodstock (Polish for "Woodstock Station" or "Woodstock Bus Stop"; English-language materials often refer simply to the Woodstock Festival) is an annual free rock music festival in Poland, inspired by and named for the Woodstock Festival, that has taken place since 1995. Since the 11th festival its organizers have called Przystanek Woodstock "the biggest open-air festival in Europe".

The festival's motto is "Love, Friendship, and Music". It is organized by the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity foundation as a way of thanking its volunteers. Generally a weekend-long event, its two stages are in continuous use from early afternoon to dawn, featuring performances by around 30 bands every year. Many Polish bands have made several appearances, including IRA, Myslovitz, Dżem, Acid Drinkers and 2TM2,3. Foreign bands are also invited every year - The Stranglers, Papa Roach, The Prodigy, Guano Apes, Kontrust, Clawfinger, Nigel Kennedy, Gentleman, Korpiklaani to name but a few appearances. A battle of the bands takes place prior to the festival, and the winners are given a chance to perform. The main musical theme is generally rock, but genres represented run almost a full gamut from folk through experimental to Metal. Recent years has also seen reggae, electronic music and even classical music represented. The name Przystanek Woodstock - "Woodstock Station" refers to peace and friendship symbolized by the Woodstock Festival and the TV series Northern Exposure, aired as Przystanek Alaska (Alaska Station), immensely popular in Poland at that time.

Along with the concerts on two stages there are many other events organized during the festival. The Academy Of The Finest Arts is a place where young people meet with well-known politicians like Lech Wałęsa, a former Polish president, artists, journalists, musicians, actors and religious leaders including Kesang Takla - the Dalai Lama's Northern European representative. In 2009, for the 40th anniversary of the original Woodstock Festival from 1969, Michael Lang, the organizer of the American event, was invited. The Hare Krishna movement also commonly shows up to organize an Indian food cafeteria, yoga classes, meditation exercises or meetings with their gurus.