The agreement was ceremonially signed on 20 August 2016 at Bolesławiec Town Hall. In the agreement, the parties declared, among other things, that they would develop partnership contacts between the residents of Zbaraż and Bolesławiec, particularly young people; cooperate in culture, education and sport; and support the development of the economy and tourism by organising seminars and conferences and promoting business and trade events.
The results of the cooperation to date were presented by Barbara Smoleńska, chairwoman of the Society of Friends of Lviv and the Southeastern Borderlands in Bolesławiec. In her speech, she recalled projects that had already been completed. Among the initiatives mentioned, the “Saving from Oblivion – Borderlanders” project and the publication “Saving from Oblivion. Memories of Bolesławiec Borderlanders” are worth recalling. The project was carried out by Municipal Gymnasium No. 2 named after Poles Deported to Siberia, the Museum of Ceramics in Bolesławiec and the Society of Friends of Lviv and the Southeastern Borderlands. The results of the work by young people from Bolesławiec to maintain Polish graves in Ukraine attracted particular interest. Zbaraż is frequently visited by residents of Bolesławiec. Students from Bolesławiec schools, together with their supervisors, regularly maintain cemeteries in the former Eastern Borderlands of the Second Polish Republic. Trips to Ukraine are organised as part of the “Save Your Great-Grandfather’s Grave from Oblivion” campaign.
Young people from Bolesławiec and members of the Society of Friends of Lviv and the Southeastern Borderlands also visit Poles living in Zbaraż and the surrounding area. They are warmly welcomed there and spend time together with both Polish and Ukrainian peers. It is worth mentioning that associations operate in Ukraine that bring together people who preserve Polish culture in these areas. New initiatives are also emerging, such as the Polish Cultural and Educational Society “Zbaraż”. Official statistics indicate that more than 147,000 Poles live in Ukraine.
As part of the signed agreement, Bolesławiec President Piotr Roman and Zbaraż Mayor Roman Polikrowski declared that they would develop cooperation in the following areas:
- economy
- transport
- municipal services
- local government
- nature conservation, taking into account the principles of sustainable development
- culture and education
- youth cooperation.
The declaration concerns the implementation of joint projects, including investment projects, aimed at improving the lives of the residents of Zbaraż and Bolesławiec.
UM Bolesławiec/ii