Promoter Piotr Kolaj (right) and veteran reggae artiste Max Romeo.

THE Ostroda Reggae Festival, an offshoot of the 1980s Ost-Rock Festival, has been held annually in that Polish town since 2001.

Promoters say this year’s show (August 9-11) will be its biggest.

“We are moving to a new place, also in Ostroda town. We were already very limited by the original spot, turning from an empty military base to a developed neighbourhood and too small to fit our needs,” Piotr Kolaj, the festival’s director/producer, told the Jamaica Observer.

The 2013 festival has U-Roy, Busy Signal, Luciano and Don Carlos as headliners. American band Groundation, Blue King Brown from Australia and Dubmatix out of Canada are also among the international lineup.

Last year’s performers included Peter Metro, Rootz Underground, Morgan Heritage, Tanya Stephens, Baby Cham, RDX and Anthony B.

The Ostroda Reggae Festival has grown in recent years, becoming one of the most recognised on the packed European live circuit.

Kojal says that reputation makes it easier to book artistes.

“When you already have a strong recognition and reliable reputation, that counts. We just feel pity we cannot book everyone we would like to, due to financial and time limitations,” he added.

Located in northern Poland, Ostroda comes alive at festival time. Kojal says the town’s commercial district (shops, hotels, etc) experience strong returns during the week.

“There are thousands of people staying in their town and enjoying it. Due to all these guests and serious national media promotion, it also creates a strong image for Ostroda as a peaceful reggae town.”

In addition to live acts and sound systems, fans attend seminars, film screenings, workshops and the annual Young Polish Reggae Band Contest.