“Joy in Children’s Poetry” was the theme of this year’s Recitation Competition for Years 1–3. The competition was hosted by Primary School No. 2 in Bolesławiec. On 18 April 1996, young reciters gathered there to demonstrate their skills and present poetic works of their choice. The reciters were assessed by a competition committee comprising Ms Stanisława Zięcik, MA, Ms Ewa Zbroja, MA, and Ms Anna Moor, MA. The participants were accompanied by their teacher-supervisors. Among those gathered were the guests of honour: Ms Zofia Roman, Head of the Education and Social Affairs Department of the Bolesławiec Municipal Office, and Wacława Woźniak, MA, an inspector from the Board of Education in Jelenia Góra. The audience, made up of pupils from the youngest classes, listened attentively to the finest recitations. The atmosphere of the competition was heated from the outset, because the audience itself was to award a prize to the reciter it considered the best.
The competition was ceremonially opened by the headteacher of Primary School No. 2 in Bolesławiec, Ms Stanisława Patreuha, MA. The competition was hosted by pupils: Asia Zamorska from Year VII and Bartek Puławski from Year VIII.
Every effort was made to ensure that the atmosphere that day was exceptionally warm and homely. This was encouraged by the beautiful and instructive decorations, a mini-café where, during breaks, guests could have hot tea and a piece of homemade cake, and… a performance full of music, children’s poetry and humour, prepared by the pupils of Class IIIa under the direction of Ms Emilia Jankowska, MA. Entitled “The Forest Poetry Competition”, it put all the participants in the competition mood.
The competition then began. It was held in three age groups, separately for Years I, II and III. The hosts tried to maintain the warm, family-like atmosphere, and the young reciters came onto the stage surrounded by tender care.
The selection of poetic repertoire was varied. The most popular poet among the youngest still proved to be the master of humorous children’s poetry, Jan Brzechwa. His works were presented most often. Alongside them were poems by Ewa Szelburg-Zarmbina, Julian Tuwim, Maria Konopnicka, Danuta Wawiłow, Hanna Łochocka, Danuta Gelner and other poets.
The reciters were very well prepared; after all, the best contestants from the municipal and commune stage advance to the district stage of the competition. They presented their chosen works with grace and great emotion, and the best performers were: – in Year I: Kinga Pokojowy from Primary School No. 2 in Bolesławiec and Emilia Józefowicz from the primary school in Płakowica. Both girls took first place. Monika Traube from Primary School in Nowe Jaroszewice took second place. Honourable mentions went to Małgosia Pawlaczek from Primary School No. 2 in Bolesławiec and Ada Szmulewicz from Primary School No. 1 in Lwówek Śląski.
In Year II, first place went to Aleksandra Szczurek from Primary School in Łaziska. Monika Potoczniak from Primary School No. 6 in Bolesławiec and Anna Maciejkowicz from Primary School No. 2 in Lwówek Śląski shared second place. Katarzyna Mikołajczyk from Primary School No. 2 in Bolesławiec took third place.
In Year III, two first places were awarded: to Aleksandra Kamińska from Primary School No. 6 in Bolesławiec and Katarzyna Fecyk from Primary School in Zebrzydowa. Two second places went to Alicja Kluza from Primary School in Nowogrodziec and Małgorzata Szczurek from Primary School in Łaziska. Ewelina Napierat from Primary School in Nowa Wieś Kraśnicka took third place, while honourable mentions were awarded to Aleksandra Wojciechów from Primary School No. 1 in Lwówek Śląski and Magda Ciechanowicz from Primary School in Płakowice.
The audience prize went to Monika Pióro from Primary School No. 2 in Bolesławiec.
The competition’s winners received diplomas and book prizes, while all participants received diplomas and stuffed toys.