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Christmas is just around the corner. Soon we’ll be baking gingerbread, wrapping presents, and celebrating with our loved ones. For years, this joyful season has been accompanied by Polish carols or foreign secular hits. But what if someone wants a break from carols and isn’t keen on listening to songs in another language? Krystyna Prońko offers her 2023 album Pora Wesołych Świąt. Is it worth adding to your holiday playlist this year?
Krystyna Prońko, one of the most respected Polish jazz and pop vocalists, gained popularity thanks to her unique voice. She has been active on the music scene since 1966. Among her most famous songs are Jesteś lekiem na całe zło and Deszcz w Cisnej. She has been awarded the “Distinguished Cultural Activist” badge, the Silver Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis, and the Medal of the Centenary of Regained Independence. She is an icon of Polish music with an exceptionally rich artistic legacy.
Her first encounter with Christmas music dates back to 1984 with the album Kolędy, where she performed the most popular Polish carols that have echoed in Polish homes during the holiday season for years. In 1999, she expanded the original album with well-known Christmas songs not directly related to religious themes, naming the project Kolędy i piosenki świąteczne. Even then, we could hear Prońko performing festive songs beyond traditional carols. However, it wasn’t until 2023 that the renowned singer shared her own original, secular Christmas songs.
Pora wesołych świąt – Krystyna Prońko
In 2023, Krystyna Prońko released the album Pora Wesołych Świąt, with the main idea of creating a collection of secular Christmas music. The artist noticed a lack of such songs on the Polish market and decided to fill that gap. The album includes nine holiday tracks with a total runtime of about thirty minutes—good news for those who prefer shorter listening experiences in this genre.
The album premiered on December 4, 2023, becoming a perfect Christmas gift for Prońko’s fans. But she didn’t stop at just releasing the record—almost immediately, she embarked on a concert tour, performing songs from her latest work. For those who couldn’t attend, the album is available online. Pora Wesołych Świąt can be purchased both on CD and vinyl. Interestingly, although both versions contain the same songs, their order differs due to the structure of vinyl records. Prońko herself admitted in an interview with Polish Radio One that the CD tracklist was arranged more harmoniously. Each song captures the holiday spirit perfectly and can also be enjoyed independently, making the album a versatile companion for the festive season.
Krystyna Prońko – Magia świąt
The secular nature of the songs
What makes Pora Wesołych Świąt unique is its focus on secular Christmas songs. These are neither traditional carols nor pastoral songs. This is important because Polish homes during Christmas are usually filled with religious music. When people want a break from carols, they often turn to international hits like Last Christmas or All I Want for Christmas. With her experience and keen understanding of the market, Prońko recognized the need for Polish holiday songs that are secular yet still capture the true spirit of Christmas.
And she delivers brilliantly. Pora Wesołych Świąt is an album that can appeal to everyone. Its joyful melodies transport listeners into a world of snowy landscapes, children building snowmen, delicate snowflakes falling from the sky, and a warm, family atmosphere. Prońko achieves this through her extraordinary voice, high-quality music, and the positive energy present in every track. She proves that you can create a festive mood without singing traditional carols.
Importantly, she does not forget about Polish culture and traditions. Her songs don’t revolve around a cookie-eating Santa Claus in an American style. Instead, she focuses on the joyful nature of Christmas while still acknowledging its Christian roots. This is reflected in titles such as Okruch opłatka and Dobranoc Aniele Stróżu. As a result, the album has the potential to resonate with everyone—both those who celebrate Christmas in a religious way and those who focus more on its family-oriented and peaceful aspects.
Style
The album should appeal to all fans of Krystyna Prońko. Although it is a Christmas record, it clearly bears her artistic signature. The songs are rooted in her characteristic blues and soul style, featuring many instruments typical of these genres. This makes each track both pleasant to the ear and warm to the heart.
Krystyna Prońko – Dobranoc Aniele Stróżu
At times, the musicians showcase their skills—such as Przemysław Raminiak’s keyboard solo in Święty nieświęty—but these moments never disrupt the overall cozy atmosphere. The music is of very high quality, yet the artists don’t try to prove anything. The priority remains the warm, family-oriented mood rather than technical virtuosity. This works strongly in the album’s favor—the songs are not overloaded with instrumental show-offs, making the whole experience cohesive and easy to enjoy.
Pora wesołych świąt – Opinion
Pora Wesołych Świąt is a genuinely successful project. Krystyna Prońko strikes a perfect balance between the secular character of the songs and Christmas tradition. Listening to this album is a truly pleasant experience. You can either focus on her beautiful voice and the masterful instrumentation or simply let it play in the background while decorating gingerbread or preparing for the holidays.
If you’ve never spent Christmas with Krystyna Prońko’s voice before, it’s definitely time to change that. I’m convinced you won’t be disappointed.
Tracklist – Pora Wesołych Świąt
- Dotyk świąt (3:08)
- Święty nieświęty (3:42 )
- Leć kolędo ponad światem (3:37)
- Pora Wesołych Świąt (2:51)
- Gloria In Excelsis Deo (3:41)
- Magia świąt (3:14)
- Okruch opłatka (2:54)
- Kolęda samotnych (3:20)
- Dobranoc Aniele Stróżu (3:54)
Review: Paweł Skarzyński
Photos: Aleksandra Martysz
