In March, we reported that the Building Supervision Inspector had closed the Old Theatre because of its deplorable technical condition. The building is owned by the County Office. At the beginning of this year, efforts were launched to enter the building in the register of historic monuments.
“It seems that the chances of obtaining money for the theatre as a historic monument are not very high. There are many other historic monuments in Lower Silesia that are more deserving of such support,” explains Dariusz Kwaśniewski, Member of the Board of Bolesławiec County. – “Talks with representatives of, among others, the Marshal’s Office led us to conclude that the greatest chance of obtaining funding for the renovation and modernisation of the theatre is the European Territorial Cooperation Poland–Saxony operational programme.” ETC is scheduled to begin at the start of next year.
To obtain the funds, the county authorities must present at least a two-year cultural and artistic cooperation project between Bolesławiec County and Bautzen County. “We want to create, based on the Community Cultural Centre and the Old Theatre, something called the International Children’s and Youth Culture Centre in our investment plan,” says Dariusz Kwaśniewski. – “I have held talks twice with various representatives of the German side. I will soon be making another visit to Bautzen, perhaps the last one.” During this visit, the schedule of work on the Polish-German project will probably be established.
The county has already secured PLN 1 million for the first stage of renovation work. The theatre must first be brought into a condition that will allow it to be modernised. However, for the work to begin, complete design and construction documentation is needed. Two tenders have already been announced. But... not a single company submitted an offer. “No one wants to undertake this task. We have announced a third tender and hope that this one will be successful,” says Kwaśniewski.
If it proves impossible to obtain money under ETC, the county will seek funding from the Regional Operational Programme or the Culture Minister’s operational programme. “Everything we could plan has already been planned,” adds Dariusz Kwaśniewski.
(GA information)