In many parts of Eastern Europe, especially Poland, Belarus, and Ukraine, autumn was a time for remembering loved ones who passed away. People gathered, shared food, sang, told stories about the past, and made their offerings to the ancestors. Around the beginning of November, when the boundary between the living and the dead was believed to be especially thin, communities marked this time through rituals and celebration. This event draws inspiration from those traditions and reimagines them through singing, listening, and connection.
The evening begins with a song. There is no clear separation between audience and performers; everyone is invited to settle into the space and become part of the atmosphere.
Through songs, we will gradually create a shared space for reflection, connection, and participation. No singing experience is needed. Some songs will be repeated several times, making it easy to join in if you wish, or simply listen.
During the evening, we will move into a short guided voice meditation in the dark, using sound, breath, and listening as a way of slowing down and staying present.
Afterwards, you will be invited to leave a small symbolic offering on a shared table. It can be dedicated to a family member, a friend, or anyone who is no longer here.
We invite everyone to stay for tea, snacks, and conversation.
This gathering is loosely inspired by Dziady, a traditional autumn ritual of remembrance practiced in different forms across Poland, Belarus, and Ukraine. It is not intended as a reconstruction of the tradition, but as a contemporary gathering that brings on some of its themes: memory, community, song, and making space for those who are no longer with us.
We invite you to spend this evening with us.
– Dead Collective
