EUGENIUSZ STACHOWSKI needs no introduction to our readers: he has essentially always been in Bolesławiec, knows its history by heart, and has accompanied all the important events—not merely as a passer-by or passive observer. As a so-called private initiative, or more precisely, a representative of individual craftsmanship, he did not take centre stage despite his undeniable merits and personal qualities. And yet, through his work, he shaped the history and present of the town on the Bóbr, gaining recognition primarily beyond its outskirts, including on an international scale. He does not like to boast about this, although many an Olympian might envy the trophies he has won in competitions among the world’s pigeon breeders... That, however, is a topic for the future, because we are talking about crafts and the city.
Let us introduce our interlocutor more precisely: Master of the Guild in Bolesławiec and vice-president of the Chamber of Crafts in Wrocław. He is responsible for training young people entering the crafts and for international cooperation throughout Lower Silesia. Let us give him the floor:
- Our road to Europe leads through personal contacts and the exchange of professional experience. We cooperate with the authorities of the city of Arras in France (famous for its tapestries!), and recently hosted a delegation of craftspeople from there, who inspected our hairdressing establishments and French-bread bakery. The Mayor hosted them, and the benefits seem indisputable: our students travel to France and complete professional apprenticeships there, while we host apprentices from the banks of the Seine on similar terms. The Chamber of Crafts also cooperates with a related institution in Augsburg (FRG); the benefits are similar, and the exchange satisfies both sides.
But that is not all. A foundation was established at the Wrocław Chamber of Crafts, partly on the initiative of Archbishop Henryk Gulbinowicz, to train young Poles from Lithuania and the territory of the former USSR. Young apprentices of the crafts regularly come to us, receive free accommodation and learn various trades, while also discovering the history of Poland and visiting the homeland of their ancestors at the sponsors’ expense. This is selfless work for the Polish diaspora and our compatriots scattered beyond the borders of their homeland.
- At the end of 1991, the Guild of Various Crafts in Bolesławiec had 442 establishments; today there are around 200. Four years ago, we had nearly 800 private establishments registered. I will leave that fact without comment. While not all craftspeople are drawn to the Guild, we can speak of regression. Some prefer to operate outside formal structures, although it can be more difficult on one’s own... Especially when complaints and grievances reach the municipal authorities. Until recently, service establishments were being eliminated, even though service prices in the city continue to rise. It is time for a strategy—tactics alone are not enough. I dedicate this thought to the stewards of the town on the Bóbr: we are open to initiatives, we want to help and are able to do so, and we do not shy away from effective action, including voluntary community work.
The members of the Guild’s board—Józef Musiał, Adam Kopeć, Lucjan Rewers, Krystyna Szkirpan, Zbigniew Łucki, Józef Klich, Czesław Pawlikowski, Bolesław Baryło and I—contributed 30 million złoty and purchased a computer for the Guild, which is now used by around 30 of our colleagues. This is an example of the mutual relations within the team that enable us to survive the difficult period of systemic transformation. Quite simply, we do not give in to objective difficulties. Our craftsperson Jerzy Rutkowski donated a new photocopier to the office free of charge, thereby expanding its modern technical facilities. As a result, this allows us to develop our statutory activities despite modest financial resources and the poor condition of the crafts sector.
For example, we are training 265 students, 119 of whom are first-year students, and we still want to admit a further 106 people to the first year. Vehicle mechanics and car servicing are the most popular, but hairdressing and baking are also in demand (until recently, no one was interested in the latter field!). The shoemaker’s and watchmaker’s trades are dying out; young people shun these professions. We have too few craft establishments, hence the limitations on employment and training. But we share our modest profits with schools, for example: we donated 3 million złoty to the Vocational Secondary School and 1 million złoty to “Number Seven”; we are considering providing assistance to other educational institutions.
- What is causing concern? Alongside the worsening economic condition of the crafts sector, there is a lack of cooperation with the city authorities. We are not making any demands—we want to help, and as native residents of the town on the Bóbr, we too care deeply about its well-being and development. Why are renovation works commissioned from outside firms, with taxes that should benefit the city being lost? Before the elections for city councillors—two dates had already passed—we declared our willingness to help and cooperate. Our initiative went unanswered, without interest or consultation. The crafts sector has no so-called clout, because only one councillor represents us in the authorities. It is time to think about new elections and new candidates, because the city continues to lose one of its great opportunities for development.
Interviewed by: PAWEŁ ŚLIWKO