This photograph contains rich symbolism, as if taken straight from the Latin maxim “Omne trinum perfectum” – what is threefold is good. TMB President ZYGMUNT BRUSILO, Vice-President STANISŁAW KALAK, who chaired the proceedings, and Supervisory Board Chairman ZDZISŁAW MIRECKI, the principal speakers, actors and protagonists of the Society’s general convention on 16 December 1994. As a matter of historical record, we note that the municipal authorities were represented by Deputy Mayor JAN JASIUKIEWICZ, who presented letters of congratulations to 10 people and himself became an honorary member of TMB.
Now, to get to the point: the Bolesławiec Enthusiasts’ Society has a rich biography and remains strong, deeply rooted in the local community, responding to its needs and interests – integrating them and unleashing valuable social initiatives. It played a role in the recent local elections (it has councillors in the city and the municipality), joined the celebrations of the “Millennium of Silesia” and the return of the Bolesławiec Land to the Motherland, among other things through publishing activities and participation in, as well as co-organization of, academic sessions. Every day it highlights regionalism, the creation of “small homelands,” and an emotional bond with the local community, especially among young people. Interregional ties and the assimilation of the cultural achievements of many generations are a passport to an integrated Europe, and this is what the Society highlights in its daily work.
It has its rich tradition and a lasting place on Bolesławiec’s cultural map. Its publishing achievements are particularly significant, including the regular publication since 1992 of “Głos Bolesławca,” produced without financial resources through the voluntary efforts of a handful of enthusiasts. This is a true national-scale phenomenon in the creation of a local press. The merits and resourcefulness of editor-in-chief Franciszek Uściński and his broad circle of collaborators, people devoted to writing and to the passion of creation, must also be noted. Fortunately, there is no shortage of them. Let us record the folders – graphic materials, preparations for publishing a complete set of the city’s monuments, work on an extensive monograph of Bolesławiec with the active participation of TMB, and plans to publish the “Bolesławiec Yearbook” in the near future. Our calendars, entire portfolios of graphics and drawings, postcards, and even branded artistic ceramics have become part of the local community; the latter especially aroused the appreciation and admiration of Germans.
The fundraising campaigns for medical needs produced fantastic results, including the purchase of an ultrasound machine, ENT equipment and a laparoscope. The scale and effectiveness of these campaigns have no equal in the country (perhaps apart from the activities of Prof. Z. Religa’s cardiac surgery centre and J. Owsiak’s television campaign). The activists do not like to praise themselves, but facts and lasting achievements are what count, and these are entirely their own заслuga. Effective cooperation with the local community and other cultural institutions also matters, and there are quite a few of them: BOK, MDK, libraries, the ceramics museum, the Music School and the Local Municipal Television. In small towns, regional societies take care of everything; here, what is needed is coordination of activities and everyday cooperation, with a kind of specialization in different fields. The goals of the city enthusiasts and the local government clearly overlap, hence the natural tendency towards active cooperation. This awareness developed slowly and with difficulty...
It is time for youth regionalism to flourish, and thus for a return to the roots of an idea from many, many years ago. Today we see this idea more broadly: the land, the human natural environment and the place of birth are, after all, an integrated whole, and the future belongs to the young. Will city enthusiasts’ circles be established in schools, or clubs for young regionalists? These questions remain open. The experience of young people co-editing “Głos” allows for optimism in this regard. The Society is counting on teachers’ help and involvement. It is time to adopt the concept of the “Bolesławiec Land,” because administrative reform and the creation of counties await us. Cooperation with Gmina Bolesławiec is exemplary; the time will surely come for Osiecznica, Nowogrodziec, Warta and Gromadka.
And there are historic buildings there worth saving, or at least documenting and studying scientifically. The region abounds in unique natural monuments, providing inspiration for TMB’s multifaceted activities. Regional issues should find their way into schools, into history, geography and Polish-language lessons. Helpful material includes, among other things, the historical supplement in our newspaper. Perhaps it would be worthwhile to revive the good PTTK tradition of “Trips around the Bolesławiec Land,” rather than going straight to Paris?
Let us also note that TMB and its president, MA Zygmunt BRUSIŁO, are recognized for their achievements by the Lower Silesian Social and Cultural Society and on a national scale. Documentation originating from the town on the Bóbr reaches many regional academic centres, including university libraries. In short, there is a work concept, coordination and oversight of activities, no shortage of community activists and enthusiasts, concrete results, and interregional and even international cooperation (Siegburg, Pirna). There are sponsors and a favourable climate for the development of local social initiatives. Why complain or search for shortcomings and failures? Keep it up!