The application to grant Krystyna Gay-Kutschenreiter the title of honorary citizen was submitted by the Museum of Ceramics. The profile of the outstanding artist was presented by Bolesławiec Deputy Mayor Kornel Filipowicz: – The figure of Ms. Krystyna Gay-Kutschenreiter is widely known. She is a longtime mentor associated with the ceramics plein-air workshop. The multitude of her exhibitions and her unquestionable achievements may already be reason enough for us to recognize that she is someone who should be included in this pantheon. I would add that she is an exceptionally warm and kind person who, despite the passage of time, remains active and continues to promote the city in many places across Poland and beyond its borders.
The application to grant the title to Rev. Józef Gołębiowski, the longtime parish priest of the Parish of Christ the King in Bolesławiec, was submitted by parishioners and activists of Bolesławiec’s Solidarity movement. The applicant, Józef Pokładek, spoke: – The biography of the Reverend Prelate is filled with extraordinary courage, diligence, charisma and responsibility for what he did over 35 years.
The former head of the City Council recalled the history of the church with which the retiring priest had been associated for so many years: – We know that, because of defective cement, we had to demolish this church and build it again from scratch. The claim for damages went through the courts for two years. Rev. Józef Gołębiowski traveled to courts and ministries until the case was concluded. At that time, it was exceptional, because winning compensation from the State Treasury in court seemed virtually impossible, yet that is exactly what happened.
– The church became an opportunity to manifest one’s faith, patriotism and resistance to the communist authorities. Through his attitude and commitment, Rev. Józef Gołębiowski gave the parishioners strength and energy – J. Pokładek continued. – The Reverend Prelate not only directed the construction work on the church, but also worked himself as a laborer, bricklayer, plasterer, carpenter and reinforcing-steel worker. He devoted his whole heart and soul to the construction. From the very beginning of the Bolesławiec Solidarity movement’s activities, he became its unofficial chaplain. He is a great patriot for whom the idea of a free and sovereign Poland was, and remains to this day, a paramount value.
The councillors adopted both resolutions unanimously.