The Bolesławiec Ceramic Festival (BŚC) is the largest event in the region, promoting the city and Bolesławiec ceramics not only in Poland, but also throughout Europe and the world. The jubilee twentieth edition of the festival has been prepared on a grand scale, with an exceptionally rich program.
Ceramic fair – one of the largest in Europe
One hundred exhibitors from Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Lithuania will take part in one of Europe’s largest ceramic fairs. In the Market Square from August 20 to 24, visitors will be able to purchase functional and decorative ceramics as well as jewelry. Ceramic necklaces, cups and planters—every item is handmade.
Once again, in the beautiful setting of the historic Market Square, visitors will be able to watch the construction, lighting, firing and extinguishing of a spectacular outdoor kiln.
From August 22 to 24, a range of clay-related activities and a rich, attractive artistic program will take place. The Ceramic Animation Town will be created for families with children and clay-modeling enthusiasts, giving everyone the opportunity to try their hand at making clay products and painting ceramic forms.
The workshops run by the Konopczyński family and the National Association of Natural Building’s Olympics will provide plenty of fun, featuring activities such as a clay relay race and mixing clay plaster against the clock.
It is worth attending the pottery demonstrations by the Arkuszyński Workshop and the Historical Pottery Workshop Loricamos. Potters dressed in medieval costumes will create ceramic vessels using tools from different eras and talk about traditional techniques for making, glazing and firing vessels.
Masters of the potter’s wheel from Bassano del Grappa, Italy, will also demonstrate their craft. The Potter’s Wheel Throwing Championship will be held, with professionals—ceramic artists and potters—taking part. In September, the winner will participate in the World Championships held in Faenza, Italy.
50th International Ceramic and Sculpture Symposium
An exhibition following the 50th International Ceramic and Sculpture Symposium in Bolesławiec will be presented at the Gallery under the Dome in the Market Square. The jubilee symposium took place in June and was attended by fifteen ceramic sculptors from Ukraine, Italy, Spain, India, Lithuania and Poland. The artists worked at three Bolesławiec ceramic plants: Zakłady Ceramiczne „Bolesławiec”, „Ceramika Artystyczna” Spółdzielni Rękodzieła Artystycznego and Fabryka Naczyń Kamionkowych „Manufaktura” Sp. J. Smoleński & Zwierz.
To mark the jubilee, works created during the Bolesławiec symposiums will also be presented at the Museum of Ceramics in the exhibition “50 Years of Ceramic and Sculpture Symposiums in Bolesławiec” and in an exhibition at the Town Hall. Contemporary functional ceramics will be on display at the BOK-MCC Gallery, where Bolesławiec manufacturers will present vessels in the exhibition “New Design in Bolesławiec Ceramics”.
Ceramic parade and street theater
On Friday evening, August 22, a colorful “Ceramic Wave” parade will pass through the city streets, preceded by the ceremonial opening of the Ceramic Festival by Mayor Piotr Roman. The keys to the city will be handed over to the Ceramic Brotherhood. The highly popular competition for the most interesting parade presentation will be decided.
In addition to the ceramic fair, workshops, competitions and ceramic sculpture exhibitions, outdoor performances will be held. Dariusz Miliński’s Pławna 9 Group will present the show “The Three Lives of Salvador Dali”. Żywy Teatr will perform “Cabaret”. On Sunday, the youngest visitors will see “A Trip to the Mysterious Land”. That day, TIK-TAK and Fasolki will perform for them on the small stage.
Rock, jazz, funk and ethnic pop on the small stage
For music fans, concerts will be held on two stages. Music and dance workshops from BOK-MCC and groups from MDK will perform.
Freak Out and PoweRebel will deliver a rock performance. Tres i Przyjaciele will perform jazz, blues and funk. GaDMu Trio will play with vocalist Michał Gasz, a “Szansa na sukces” winner and soloist with Piotr Rubik’s ensemble. Our hometown star, Bolesławiec native Agnieszka Musiał, will also perform, presenting pop music with elements of jazz and ethnic music.
Silent disco at Popiełuszki Square
Late on Saturday evening, a one-of-a-kind Silent Disco party will be held under a tent at Popiełuszki Square. Each participant will receive wireless headphones, allowing them to listen to music on one of the selected channels. Everyone will be able to choose the music they feel like listening to at that moment. Three different DJs will play three different music genres.
Stars of the main stage
Polish music stars will perform on the main stage. On Friday, the popular rock band Bracia, whose music draws on classic rock. On Saturday, Marika, who performs music combining reggae, dancehall, soul and funk. She is also known as the host of “The Voice of Poland”. Then Loka, a rock’n’roll group combining dance rhythms with catchy melodies and creators of the hit “You Are Real Air to Me”.
On Sunday, the Ceramic Festival will conclude with a concert by Ewa Farna, a star of the Polish and Czech music scenes. The popular and widely admired singer has received countless awards for her work and is appreciated for her great talent and personality.
T-Mobile Truck at BŚC
During the festival’s last two days, August 23 and 24, visitors to the T-Mobile Truck mobile showroom, located in the BOK-MCC parking lot on the Bankowa Street side, will be able to explore the capabilities of the T-Mobile network using state-of-the-art smartphones. The program includes games, activities and competitions, with modern mobile devices to be won.
This year’s Ceramic Festival is being held as part of the Arginet project, co-financed by the European Union through the Culture program. Five European cities known for their ceramic industries are participating: Argentona (Spain), Gmunden (Austria), Aubagne (France), Faenza (Italy) and Bolesławiec. The project’s main objective is cooperation among the partners, the exchange of experience, and participation in the annual events and ceramic fairs organized by the partners, transforming them from local events into European events.