The photography exhibition "The Beauty of Bolesławiec and Its Surroundings Through a Senior's Lens" by the FotoX photography club and a presentation of the literary work of the “Oksymoron” literary club were the highlights of this particularly pleasant visit.
The Zielona Góra University of the Third Age was established in 1992 and is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, but its ties with Bolesławiec date back to a social visit by residents of Zielona Góra to Bohdan Pieliński, founder and editor-in-chief of Telewizja Lokalna Bolesławiec, local government official and collector of antique devices.
“During that first visit, Bolesławiec was an ordinary city; now it is a gem,” praised the development of our city Roman Czarnecki from Zielona Góra.
The initiative to present part of the achievements of the Zielona Góra University of the Third Age arose during last year's Bolesławiec Ceramics Festival. Wiesława Olczyk, president of the University of the Third Age in Bolesławiec, invited seniors from Zielona Góra to Bolesławiec's most important celebration. The stay was very successful and resulted in an exchange of experiences.
At the Orzeł Cultural Integration Center, the guests were warmly welcomed by deputy mayor Kornel Filipowicz and BOK-MCC director Ewa Lijewska-Małachowska.
“Thank you for being with us today, because we have a great need to exchange experiences and seek common ground,” said Kornel Filipowicz. “Our fundamental goal is cultural and civilizational development, so that citizens can live comfortably and the city can be welcoming.
Ewa Lijewska-Małachowska emphasized the role played by the Bolesławiec Cultural Center for seniors and spoke about free classes for residents, as well as its broad range of activities, including those for seniors.
Wiesława Olczyk recalled that the event was inspired by the desire to show seniors in Bolesławiec that seniors from nearby Zielona Góra have equally broad interests in photography, painting and literature. They make excellent use of and cultivate these interests, proving that everything depends on us.
Our members also presented their activities: a choir led by Dorota Straburzyńska and oriental dancing, performed by female members.
The aim of the University of the Third Age in Zielona Góra (ZUTW), which operates so dynamically under the leadership of president Zofia Banaszak, is to undertake and develop social initiatives in science, education, culture and ecology, as well as physical culture and sport, by conducting educational, health, cultural, creative, local-history and tourism activities for older people. Social activation and improving the quality of life of older people means creating conditions for ageing well.
The ZUTW members, currently numbering more than eight hundred, come from various backgrounds and social circles and differ in age, education and interests; they are all united by a desire to continue learning, develop their interests, broaden their horizons and achieve self-fulfillment.
The event was organized by: Bolesławiec Cultural Center – International Ceramics Center, Zielona Góra University of the Third Age and the University of the Third Age in Bolesławiec.