As we have already reported, in the last days of May we hosted a delegation from Siegburg. The delegation members toured the city, visited ceramic factories, attended the 5th General Assembly of TMB and participated in a ceremonial session of the Municipal Council. An agreement on partnership cooperation between Siegburg and Bolesławiec was signed. A delegation from Bolesławiec will travel to Siegburg in the autumn of this year. After returning to Germany, the delegation members—including journalists—published their impressions of their stay in our city in the press. Fourteen photographs illustrating the event were published at the same time. We present selected, more interesting excerpts from these articles, translated by Mr Hubert Dwórsatschka.
Here are excerpts from the article entitled “Bolesławiec Hopes for Development.” (Subtitle: “Tourism could be a pillar of the economy alongside the ceramic industry. Great hospitality—impressions from a trip to Siegburg’s partner city.”) “...The Poles are to be credited with the fact that the new partner city of the people of Siegburg has retained its character to such an extent. The burghers’ houses around the historic Market Square, burned down in 1945, were rebuilt by them after the war in the old style.
The railway station, churches, former secondary school and monastery—many buildings have survived, although they often require necessary repairs..”*
“...At the town hall, specialists are working to first dry out the foundations and repair the stairs. The renovation of the Kutuzov monument, once funded by Frederick William III, has symbolic value expressing the will to build a partnership and deepen friendship; the city of Siegburg is providing financial assistance for it.”
“...People define the image of the city here, not cars. With moderate traffic, one can stroll peacefully through the old town, passing shops whose displays indicate, like symbols, the state of the Polish economy. A few cans of Coke, a Lego box or German advertising posters beside dusty fruit at high prices represent wishes demanding fulfilment. People are seeking contacts with the West, with the free market and its products. Whether the city of Siegburg will be able to help establish business contacts remains to be seen...”
“...Wages are low and unemployment is high. Men meet in the park to play cards. They play for money, but despite the high stakes in poker, no one can become wealthy: 1,000 złoty is worth 12 pfennigs. Perhaps the proverb ‘When in trouble, turn to God’ is proving true. A glance into the magnificent church by the Market Square is astonishing in any case: the temple is so full that any priest in the West would turn pale with envy...” From the article “Between Recession and the Grayness of the Eastern Bloc, the Future Beckons”:
“At the railway station in Bolesławiec, representatives of the municipal parliament gave the people of Siegburg an exceptionally warm welcome. Bolesławiec is beautiful. That is why the surprise is all the greater. Instead of the sad grayness of the Eastern Bloc, visitors encounter a city that dispels skeptical notions from the very first day to the last. What after the Second World War lay largely in ruins and ashes, the people of Bolesławiec rebuilt with great care. Old patrician houses are clustered around the Market Square; pleasant pastel colors testify to the meticulous restoration of the ornamental façades...”
“..Every shop window is a place where wishes and reality clash. The grocery store around the corner displays cocoa and dusty peas, believing they deserve to catch the eye. The electrical shop advertises plugs—proudly, in a Western manner. In the children’s shop, an old, good-natured teddy bear does not hang from the ceiling; Poland also likes Alfa. Anyone who turns their back on the city’s jewel, the Market Square, will feel the struggles behind the façades: the municipal parliament has three million marks at its disposal for investment. In this case, the buildings on the outskirts of the center must wait their turn. The tenement houses are characterized by grayness; flower boxes can only partly conceal broken windows and the most modest living conditions...”
“..One thing is common to everyone: hospitality and goodwill toward the German guests. The hosts prepared a gigantic program for the people of Siegburg...”
“...The hopes of Bolesławiec are all the greater because after four days of their stay, the people of Siegburg are taking them home with them. Local entrepreneurs want business with Siegburg, thirteen schools desire intensive exchange, culture and sport are to be organized jointly, and foundations to support the defined objectives have been announced...”