– We decided that the ranking of expenditure on culture would cover five years—from 2010 to 2014. We wanted the results to be as objective as possible and to also include larger investments carried out by local government units. In addition, this was the period of the previous term of local-government authorities. The financial data were collected and compiled for “Wspólnota” by the Cultural Statistics Team of the National Centre for Culture, based on budget reports submitted by local government units to the Ministry of Finance. Both current and capital expenditure were taken into account—we included the total amount for 2010–2014. Expenditure was calculated per capita (the population figures for individual regions come from Central Statistical Office data as of the end of 2014), included under section 921: Culture and Protection of National Heritage, and divided into five categories: voivodeship cities, cities with county rights, urban municipalities, urban-rural municipalities and rural municipalities,” the ranking’s authors announce.
In Bolesławiec, expenditure on culture in 2010–2014 amounted to PLN 79,216,880.98, expenditure per capita PLN 2,007.32. Expenditure accounted for 11.89% of the entire budget. Bolesławiec’s investments in culture and the protection of national heritage are an important element of the city’s broadly understood revitalisation, aimed at improving residents’ standard of living and increasing the city’s appeal.
In September 2010, the International Ceramics Centre was established in Bolesławiec—a modern cultural infrastructure facility. Its rich programme supports the development and promotion of artistic creativity in many areas of cultural and artistic education in Poland and abroad. The total value of the investment exceeded PLN 22 million, with 85% of eligible costs financed by funding from the EEA Financial Mechanism.
In 2013, the adaptation of the former Orzeł cinema for the purposes of the Cultural Integration Centre was completed. The construction work involved rebuilding the Orzeł cinema facility to introduce new functions and adapt it to the needs of people with disabilities. After the reconstruction, the former cinema took on a new face. The interior wall arrangement was changed and the adjoining courtyards were rebuilt. The facility includes, among other things, an auditorium with an additional cinema function, as well as photography and film studios. The renovation of the former Orzeł cinema was subject to conservation protection. The total value of the investment exceeded PLN 8 million and was co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the Regional Operational Programme for the Lower Silesian Voivodeship for 2007–2013, amounting to 69.99% of eligible costs.
Both facilities are managed by the Bolesławiec Cultural Centre–International Ceramics Centre. In recent years, more than 960,000 participants have used BOK-MCC’s diverse programme. These are only some examples of investment in culture in Bolesławiec.
– In Bolesławiec, spending on culture is high because we focus on creative development. Year by year, we try to expand the programme and create places where Bolesławiec residents can spend their free time attractively and pursue their passions. It is worth mentioning that the amateur arts movement offers classes in more than 50 forms of activity. Children, young people and adults take part in them. All classes are free of charge. Individual cultural institutions prepare their programmes so that they can be enjoyed by both younger and older people, including those with very high expectations,” says Bolesławiec mayor Piotr Roman. And he announces: “We do not intend to stop there. The next cultural investment will be the adaptation of the premises of the Mieszko department store into a Knowledge Centre. We intend to rebuild the existing retail and service building as the headquarters of the Municipal Public Library. As a so-called third place, the library is to symbolise public space understood as a place for social meetings, communication and spending free time. It is also to be a place for learning, relaxation and cultural activity.
It is worth recalling that Bolesławiec also makes use of foreign funding. In “Wspólnota” magazine’s October 2015 ranking, Bolesławiec placed an excellent 12th in the category of county cities—the highest among county cities in Lower Silesia. The ranking concerned the effectiveness of obtaining European Union funds in 2004–2014, calculated per resident.
UM Bolesławiec/ii