Bogusław Nowak, a Bolesławiec restaurateur and former mime actor known as Papa Glinolud or the creator of Gliniada, accused Piotr Roman at the end of the wedding ceremony of never having covered himself in clay. Nowak publicly asked the president whether he wanted to be a Glinolud and part of the community marching in the parade, and whether he wanted to stand with the residents or against them. Nowak also had a bucket of clay slip ready to pour over the president. However, he did not do so.
Piotr Roman responded to the provocation: “I am always with the residents, and I think this is the moment… We have just had a wedding, and I wish the newlyweds all the best.”
Gliniada is sponsored largely by Marshal Cezary Przybylski of Platforma Obywatelska, who allocated 40,000 złoty to the parade. Cezary Przybylski will probably run in the election for president of Bolesławiec, and will certainly support Platforma’s candidate for the position. During Gliniada, Papa Glinolud warmly invited the marshal onto the stage to present awards for the best costume. Papa Glinolud also suggested that Przybylski and the newlyweds take advantage of the helicopter flight, which was one of this year’s Gliniada attractions.
Apart from this unpleasant incident, Gliniada proceeded normally. Residents of Bolesławiec came to see and photograph their relatives and neighbours dressed in interesting costumes and covered in clay. The Glinolud parade, organised for the eighth consecutive year, fit wonderfully into the atmosphere and programme of the Bolesławiec Ceramics Festival. The front of the parade consisted of distinctive vehicles, and the Gliniada anthem composed by Tomek Wachnowski was also sung.
The ship created by the Nibylandia preschool made a great impression on spectators. The spectacular construction also delighted the jury, which awarded Nibylandia first prize for its costume and 500 złoty. Second place and 300 złoty went to people dressed as ancient figures with interesting moving pedestals. Third place and 200 złoty were awarded to a Bolesławiec resident dressed as a commando. The best-costumed group was the people who created the octopus construction.
