The celebrations of Firefighters’ Day began with a formation on Piłsudski Square. In addition to officers of the State Fire Service in Bolesławiec, representatives of both the city and county authorities, as well as firefighters from Volunteer Fire Brigades from throughout Bolesławiec County, arrived at the square.
The celebrations on 4 May were also attended by guests from the partner county—firefighters from Bautzen. The musical accompaniment was provided by a brass band from Nowogrodziec.
Those gathered on Piłsudski Square marched to the Sanctuary of the Assumption of the Mother of the Church and St. Nicholas, where a solemn Mass began at 6:00 p.m. Its main highlight was the unveiling of a statue of St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters. In accordance with iconography, St. Florian holds a vessel of water in his hands, with which he extinguishes a burning building. The statue of the saint was unveiled by Bishop Stefan Regmunt.
Zbigniew Bożęcki, President of the County Association of Volunteer Fire Brigades, said that the idea of commemorating the many years of service of Bolesławiec firefighters without any fatalities arose a year ago. Dean Andrzej Jarosiewicz thanked all the donors who made it possible to create the sculpture. The statue was created by Andrzej Walijewski.
(GA report, photos by MZ)