What is a sound map?
It is an interactive space where a region speaks through its own voice. Before you lies a map of the Poprad Valley — one of the most beautiful corners of southern Poland — where each marked point opens a gateway to a song deeply rooted in the area’s musical tradition.
The map brings together traditional songs performed by local folk singers — custodians and living continuators of the region’s vocal heritage. These are contemporary recordings created especially for this project, capturing the authentic style, distinctive vocal expression, and emotional depth of the Poprad Valley’s singing tradition.
Each piece is accompanied by materials designed not only for listening, but for active participation. Selected points on the map include:
- professional recordings of traditional songs performed by folk singers,
- instrumental backing tracks for learning and individual practice,
- sheet music arranged for solo voice,
- two-part arrangements that invite shared music-making.
The Sound Map is both an educational resource and a creative invitation. It documents a living tradition while encouraging its further exploration and reinterpretation. It is an opportunity to discover the musical roots of the Poprad Valley not only by listening, but by singing and experiencing them firsthand.
Click, listen, sing — and allow the region to tell its story through sound.
The Poprad Valley
The Poprad Valley is one of the most picturesque regions of southern Poland — a place where nature, history, and culture intertwine in remarkable harmony. The Poprad River, winding its way between the ridges of the Beskid Sądecki mountains, shapes a landscape of sweeping panoramas, dramatic gorges, and elegant spa towns. The region is renowned for its unique microclimate, its restorative quiet, and its abundance of mineral springs, which make up a significant share of Poland’s natural resources and have drawn visitors seeking renewal for centuries.
Muszyna, Piwniczna-Zdrój, Krynica-Zdrój, Żegiestów-Zdrój, and Łomnica-Zdrój are places where spa traditions blend seamlessly with tourism and cultural life. Among them, Muszyna stands out for its particularly harmonious fusion of historic charm, landscaped gardens, and welcoming spaces for artistic events. The valley also offers an extensive network of hiking, cycling, and ski trails, while journeys along its scenic railway lines and mountain roads are unforgettable experiences in their own right. The region’s identity is further enriched by its architectural heritage — medieval castles, wooden Orthodox churches, and traces of a multicultural past, including the legacy of the Lemko community.
Music is one of the defining elements of the Poprad Valley’s cultural fabric, deeply rooted in local tradition and naturally woven into everyday life. For generations, it has accompanied rituals, daily rhythms, and communal celebrations, shaping the spirit of the region. While drawing from folk heritage, the music of the valley remains open to dialogue, improvisation, and contemporary forms of expression. In this way, the Poprad Valley becomes a meeting place of nature, history, and living culture — where sound itself serves as a language of connection.