Pojechalimy

Pojechalimy is a fictional traditional festival described in the imagined cultural landscape of Lyria. The term is presented as a compound derived from Slavic linguistic roots, interpreted within the setting as meaning “let us go together.” The festival centers on communal travel, performance, and shared feasting, emphasizing cooperation across generations and villages.

In its most common framing, Pojechalimy takes place each spring when participating communities assemble in a starting town. Delegations form caravans, incorporating horse-drawn wagons, traditional carts, and, in modern depictions, bicycles and motorized vehicles. The route follows a fixed circular path through a series of villages, with planned stops for performances, markets, and mutual aid activities. A key ritual is the opening procession, in which banners are displayed and participants pledge to assist others along the journey.

Cultural elements include a distinctive repertoire of songs and dances performed at each halt, craft stalls that showcase local making, and shared meals that culminate in a large communal feast. Attire features regional fabrics and color-coded sashes intended to symbolize solidarity and the passage of seasons. The event is organized by a council of participating communities, aided by volunteers and local institutions, and is often linked to agricultural calendars and harvest celebrations.

Today, Pojechalimy is presented as an intangible cultural heritage of the imagined region, valued for social cohesion, intergenerational learning, and regional identity. Critics in the setting note its potential commercialization, while supporters argue it preserves tradition in a changing world.