Four years have now passed since the first issue of “Głos Bolesławca” was published. On this occasion, the editorial team asked for a statement from the initiator and first editor of the longest-running publication in postwar Bolesławiec. We asked, among other things, for a reminder of where the idea and the funds came from, as well as an opinion on the need for the publication to exist. Here is a statement by Mgr Franciszek Uściński: I was secretary of the Bolesławiec Enthusiasts’ Society, which was looking for ways to bring together, around the Society, people interested in the cultural revival and development of the city in the newly emerging political and economic situation. It was painful to watch cultural institutions being closed down. The “Konrad” Cultural Centre, with its library and fine traditions, ceased operating; the “Polfa” Factory Club, the “Wizów” Club and the “Relax” Club were closed. Artistic groups and interest clubs were ceasing to operate; outside the cultural sphere, the poor situation in healthcare, education and other areas of life also deserved attention. Unlike almost all the surrounding towns, Bolesławiec did not have its own publication, even though every self-respecting city should be able to permanently record events, recall its history, cultivate traditions and enable its residents to exchange ideas.
The intention of the Bolesławiec Enthusiasts’ Society, implemented among other ways through the publication of “Głos Bolesławca”, was to bring together people of different views, interests and professions to work for the city. Neither I nor my colleagues from the Bolesławiec Enthusiasts’ Society had political aims. I am a Polish philologist and musician by training, and politics never interested me. I even thought that the idea of a local social and cultural publication would be “bought” by the Bolesławiec Cultural Centre, because in the long term the Bolesławiec Enthusiasts’ Society had neither the financial nor the infrastructural capacity. In other cities, Cultural Centres bring together writers, artists and photographers and publish their own periodicals with their help. Shortly after the new Bolesławiec publication was accepted by readers, the Society turned to the city authorities with a request to subsidize the project, and thus in effect take over the publication. Unfortunately, the city authorities directed all their attention and financial resources toward municipal local television, while some councillors rejected the publication simply because they detected a communist past in two, perhaps, members of the editorial team. Prejudice, envy, or perhaps political blindness and obstinacy still remain among some people to this day, even though everyone can write—and does write—for “Głos Bolesławca”: clergy, apolitical schoolchildren, historians, people from the arts, members of the military—in short, people of various convictions and views. Returning, however, to the first months: there really was no money for paper and printing. We wrote the articles (and this practice has continued) without payment. Illustrators supplied drawings free of charge, and photographers supplied photographs. Father Zdzisław Lec, for example, not only provides interesting articles about the churches in Bolesławiec, but also sends money from time to time to keep the publication going. The fact that “Głos Bolesławca” has been able to appear for such a long time is owed mainly to readers who believe in their publication. The first issue of “Głos” was published from membership contributions to the Bolesławiec Enthusiasts’ Society, but subsequent issues were sponsored by the readers themselves. I ask the opponents: can one fail to respect both those who edit the publication selflessly and those who, convinced of the need for such a publication to exist, provide funds for its upkeep? Readers of “Głos” did more than contribute to the publication of the periodical. Contributions and collections purchased valuable medical equipment for the hospital, and soon—also thanks to the continuation of a campaign sponsored by “Głos Bolesława”—the hospital will receive equipment of even greater value in the form of a laparoscope. Readers also remember other campaigns initiated by “Głos”. All this reinforces the need to maintain the publication, especially since it has expanded its reach to new municipalities. In my opinion, the publication of even several periodicals (newspapers) in a city, alongside the operation of local television, is normal and advisable.
As a monthly, “Głos Bolesławca” should focus mainly on the city’s history, culture and chronicle. I wish it would serve the city as faithfully in the years to come as it has until now. And that it would finally be appreciated by the people governing this city, especially those responsible for culture.