It is possible that we do not value ceramics or Gliniada that much, even though they are valuable things; it is possible that the Napoleonic stories connected with Bolesławiec do not matter to us as much as we think, and that something completely different does. What? A group of researchers and specialists from the University of Wrocław will seek the answers.
— I became interested in the project because I am looking for new cultural proposals for residents — says Ewa Lijewska-Małachowska. — During a meeting with directors of cultural institutions from Lower Silesia, we talked about what we can offer residents and what they need: what kind of performances, concerts and entertainment. It was also important to me to include Bolesławiec in the activities of European Capital of Culture Wrocław 2016 — adds the head of BOK-MCC.
The first meeting of the researchers with selected residents will take place this Saturday, 12 March. Among others, female students of the University of the Third Age have been invited to the meeting. The project will also involve Irmina Nowak, a teacher at I LO, as well as Alicja Wiaderna and Jolanta Rzeźwicka from Primary School No. 4. Animators from Bolesławiec—pedagogy students Dominika Majewska and Paulina Kida—will also work at both schools.
— Bolesławiec joined the project involving six cities at the last minute, thanks to the efforts of director Ewa Lijewska-Małachowska — says Kamila Kamińska, coordinator of “Reading the City.” — You are a challenging, rich city with your own ceramic identity; reading your space can be very interesting — the coordinator adds.
The “Reading the City” project combines the worlds of academia and animation. As part of the project, an interdisciplinary research team learns about the history and character of a place, analyzes the city, and discovers and listens to its stories. The result of these activities—research reports—will be presented during a seminar held as part of an international conference of the UNECC network (the network of European capitals of culture). Based on them, in spring and summer 2016, animators will undertake artistic activities in the urban spaces proposed by the researchers, using original forms adapted to the urban text and the expectations of residents.
The main operator and organizer of the activities is the Impart Wrocław 2016 festival office. The partners are the University of Wrocław, the international UNECC network, the Society of Polish Urban Planners and the Association of Polish Architects. The Studio for Research on the Audiosphere is also actively cooperating in the project. The project coordinator is Dr. Kamila Kamińska, a lecturer affiliated with the University of Wrocław.