We are experiencing a year of important historical anniversaries on the occasion of the “round” 50th anniversary. Half a century ago—exactly on 12 February 1945—our town was captured by the Red Army. The cost of the military operation is evidenced by two enormous war cemeteries of Soviet soldiers. For us, contemporary Poles and residents of the town on the Bóbr, this is a historic date marking the return of the Bolesławiec Land to the Motherland, and the restoration to Poland of its Piast heritage—the whole of Silesia, whose history was also shaped by Czech and German influences.
The time of ideological orthodoxies, both from the left and the right, has irrevocably passed, making it possible to respond to the genuine social needs of the local community and organize celebrations of this important anniversary jointly, at the expense of both councils—the Municipal and the Commune Council. This is another contribution to the integration of the local-government community and full consensus in the sphere of views and actions, as well as a successful attempt to uncover further “blank spots” and speak the truth about recent history.
It was not possible to throw in a “bone of contention”; historians and experts on the subject (Dr. Edmund Maliński, MA Zygmunt Brusiło, MA Paweł Śliwko) will prepare the paper for the ceremonial joint session of both councils, and political affiliation is of no significance here. There will be a solemn concelebrated Mass attended by the standards of wartime veterans and a military band, the town will be decorated with flags, and a meeting will be held with the first Polish settlers in Bolesławiec.
The role of coordinator of the celebrations and leadership of the Social Committee for the Celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the RETURN OF THE BOLESŁAWIEC LAND TO THE MOTHERLAND was assumed by the Chairman of the Municipal Council, WŁADYSŁAW LANDSBERG, one of the distinguished pioneers who settled in our town as early as 1945. The anniversary celebrations will continue until the May VICTORY DAY and the festivities of the local Festival of Culture—“DAYS OF BOLESŁAWIEC.”