[UPDATE] 2,2 million viewers watched Conchita’s performance in Kielce during “Coven” Festival. 

The fabolous winner of Eurovision 2014 – Conchita – visited Poland for the first time this weekend. She arrived in Warsaw on Friday afternoon and started her previously scheduled interview session with most important Polish media such as TVP (national broadcaster), TVN (main private broadcaster) or TVN24 (main news television). She also appeared in famous internet show “20m2” by Lukasz Jakobiak (internet-premiere on 5th July) and met “Unstoppable” fans who followed her every step during this weekend. She arrived with small team, but everything was well-organized by Sony Music Poland. During interviews Conchita promoted her debut album, spoke about Eurovision, her life, career and LGBT comunity. Unfortunately due to the busy schedule singer was not able to do sightseeing and feel the spirit of Warsaw nor meet Polish people, but she promised to come back.

On Saturday morning she came to the city of Kielce, where “Coven – Sabat Czarownic” has been held. As we reported before, her arrival was criticized by some right-wing politicians and catholic representative, but the whole story received huge mass media attention and helped to promote the show broadcasted by TVP2. Even if it was sixth edition of “Coven” Festival already, the show was considered as local event, but now more viewers discovered it and even decided to wach previous editions to learn more about this project. Thanks to the Eurovision winner “Coven” became popular national music enterteinment show and hopefully will remain on this position for years. Some Eurovision fans will suggest organizers to invite Loreen, Eurovision winner from Baku 2012 to the next Coven.

The city of Kielce celebrated not only “Coven” show but also it’s local fest and the city was full of local inhabitants and tourists with many attractions, stage performances around the town, traditional cuisine and colorful stalls with folklore souvenirs. Conchita had her first rehearsal just after arrival, she took part in photo session and did some interviews for local press. Kadzielna Amphitheater opened it’s gate almost 2,5 hours before the show and 6.000 people filled it very fast, waiting for the concert to begin with witch-styled hats, drinks and snack – ready to have fun. Worth to mention, many policians and local officials attended “Coven” and watched the performances from the first row. Before the concert organizers once again reminded about tolerance and respect to every single artist perfoming on stage (not mentioned Conchita by name).

Conchita Wurst performed in the end of first part of the show, right after pop-singer Ewelina Liszowska and band Afromental (Polish NF 2008). She showed up on stage in black costume, which some media considered as too “conservative” for her. First song was the Eurovision entry “Rise Like a Phoenix” which actually didn’t received any points from Poland in Copenhagen final, but worth to remind that it was juries fault, as Polish viewers ranked her 4th in televoting. After first song the singer already received big applause and her fans gave her standing ovation. As the second song Conchita performed Tina Turner’s “River Deep, Mountain High” and presented fantastic and strong voice. Last but not least – her anthem-song “We are unstoppable” which was already played very often in local radio stations before the show. At the end of her performance Conchita thanked the people with big smile and the public once showed Polish hospitality and respect once again. After that Conchita left the stage and because she was supposed to go back to Warsaw, she was not able to meet press on the backstage. You can watch her performance below:

From my personal point of view:

Thanks to Conchita I’ve started to focus on “Coven – Sabat Czarownic” and I think many people will do the same which was actually the organizers goal. We are waiting for official tv-ratings but we can expect very good results and hopefully next “Coven” will also include some Eurovision acts. Conchita’s short stay in Poland was huge tolerance lesson for Poland but we’ve made it and the singer received wonderful reception not only by the public in Kielce but also from mass media which released she is not only controversial but also talented, intelligent and very warm person. Many internet users, which were against Conchita, admit they were impressed with her voice. I think it was a huge step for organizers and they will follow that way to make “Coven” bigger and more glamorous but also the sign of changes in Polish mentality in their way to be a part of European open-minded nation.

One more thing: Tomasz Kammel (Eurovison Young Dancers 2013 host) and Justyna Steczkowska (Eurovision 1995 Polish entry) did fantastic job as they hosted the show with a lot of funny jokes (also about themselfs) and very nice contact with the public. Justyna, the frequent guest of “Coven”, performed on stage with “Karuzela z Madonnami” – the song demanding excellent vocal and interpretation skills. Justyna did it! Maybe she should go to Eurovision next year? You can watch her performance below:

Special thanks to Mariusz Kowalczyk for his help during “Coven” in Kielce.