Traditional highlander sheep grazing season starts in Poland

Highlander families are gathering in a church to receive blessings as the sheep grazing season begins with traditional folklore and religious celebrations, called locally Redyk, in Ludzmierz, Podhale, Polish part of Tatra mountains, on April 27, 2025. Redyk traditionally begins around April 23, a time when shepherds, locally called Baca, are taking flocks of sheep from villages uphill, away from civilization for the grazing season, which lasts about half a year. The beginning of the season is a festive time for the highlanders from Tatra. The celebration is starting with Holy Mass, blessing, and folklore parade. In this part of Karpaty, sheep farming is historically a major source of income for the region.