The Slot Art Festival is Poland’s largest alternative culture festival. It features dozens of concerts, theatrical performances, exhibitions, lectures and happenings. One thing is certain – there is no other place like it in the world, where so many experiences can be enjoyed over five days and nights.
This year, among those who came to the Cistercian monastery in Lubiąż were, among others, a young man with dreadlocks, a somewhat older, already balding lawyer, a woman in her thirties holding a baby, and a man in a yellow shirt using a wheelchair. Around 6,000 people from all over the world took part in the event: from Poland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Denmark, the United States, the Czech Republic, Ukraine and Germany. They came to develop their interests and passions. Or perhaps to discover something they had not known before.
“This is my first time at the festival. I am positively surprised. It is difficult to find an area of art here that would not find an audience,” says Bolesławiec resident Barbara Bednarowicz. “Animation activities, lectures, cinema, graphic art, piercing, photography classes and a host of other activities – from morning until late at night. Everyone has the opportunity to find something to do, or perhaps even an idea for their life,” she adds.
Taking part in the event is intended to help creative people find their own artistic path. “We are here with a 12-person team,” says Grzegorz Roman. – “What particularly amazed me was the extraordinary understanding, kindness and tolerance. A person listening to heavy rock, with hair down to his waist, sits right next to a bald man listening to completely different music. And together, smiling at each other, they beat out the rhythm on drums!”
Next year, the residents of Bolesławiec are also planning to go to the festival. “Even today, I encourage people to visit this place – it is truly worth it,” emphasizes Grzegorz Roman.
(report Anna Kulpecka/GA)