Each of us has a passion—yet we rarely have the opportunity to meet someone whose hobby is climbing the highest peaks in the world. The Bolesławiecki Ośrodek Kultury – Międzynarodowe Centrum Ceramiki is giving us that opportunity. On October 21, the Centrum Integracji Kulturalnej “Orzeł” will host a lecture combined with an exhibition opening featuring photographs from the mountain expeditions of Andrzej Kaczmarek, a mountaineer and passionate traveler.
We have been learning about the highest peaks on our planet since childhood—but how much do we really know about them? Even identifying Europe’s highest peak may divide some of us. It is hardly surprising: for years, the issue has been debated by geographers and mountaineers alike. Regardless of which side we take, the meeting with Andrzej Kaczmarek will be an excellent opportunity to learn about both Mont Blanc and Elbrus, as these mountains compete for the honor of being called the highest peak of the Old Continent.
Mont Blanc and Elbrus are not all. Andrzej Kaczmarek has also climbed Großglockner, Austria’s highest peak; Kilimanjaro, one of the world’s highest freestanding massifs rising above Africa; Aconcagua, known as the stone guardian of the two Americas; Pico de Orizaba, a stratovolcano and Mexico’s highest peak; and Jabal Tubkal, the highest peak in North Africa.
High-altitude climbing also involves facing enormous dangers. Everyone who attends the meeting with Andrzej Kaczmarek will have the opportunity to learn about the details of his solo climb of Pico de Orizaba, find out what the so-called “rolling stones” are in the couloir of death on Mont Blanc, and hear about the expedition to Großglockner, which the presenter managed to climb only on his third attempt.
The meeting will not only allow us to see the world from the summits of the Seven Summits through photography. Event guests will be able to experience the hardships of expeditions to such places firsthand: in addition to the exhibition and lecture, the organizers have prepared a tasting of the dishes eaten by people on this type of expedition. The event will also offer an opportunity to learn about specific countries, their culture and traditions, as well as things that will surely prove useful to every traveler.