The competition is organised by the Municipal Culture, Sports and Recreation Centre in Rudniki in association with the Municipal Office in Rudniki, Marshal’s Office in Opole, District Office in Olesno, Museum of Opole Countryside and the Museum of the Wielu? Region in Wielu?. The submitted works are assessed in the following categories: - decoration of Easter eggs (taking into accounts the techniques used), - Easter palms; - Easter baskets, - harvest festival wreaths, - masks, effigies, costumes, - Christmas decorations (Christmas tree ornaments, crèches), - traditional breads, - traditional crepe paper and paper decorations, including flowers, wreaths, garlands, “spiders”, wedding ornaments and other decorations drawing on the local traditions, - fête and fair crafts and other ritual objects. Tradition is the past present here and now. Customs and rituals passed from generation to generation are a testimony to our roots and links between the past and the present. They demonstrate the continuity of our tradition and to this day give Polish culture its distinctiveness, its unique colours. The International Folk Art Competition confirms the need for such events to be organised, as rural communities continue to cultivate traditional customs and rituals. The competition is a wonderful way to popularise them. This is confirmed by the high number of participants (130 people in 2006) representing 6 Polish provinces (Opolskie, Silesian, ?ódzkie, Lower Silesian, ?wi?tokrzyskie and West Pomeranian) as well as Slovakia and the Ukraine. They presented 186 entries, including 39 joint projects. They were all of high level and that is why so many authors (54 people) received awards.