“I surround myself with good people, I meet wonderful people, I simply believe; I cannot do otherwise. The fact that our homeland accepted baptism more than 1050 years ago, when we defined ourselves as a Christian country, constitutes an obligation for all of us: to be good people,” said Father Jakub Bartczak.
Historical sources state that the state formed between the Oder and Bug rivers was internally diverse, and its inhabitants followed various pagan religions. Baptism and the establishment of an independent bishopric placed Poland on an equal footing with the Christian countries of Europe and linked it to the Western sphere of Christian culture. Mieszko I became equal to other Christian rulers and also strengthened his power. Historians agree that this event radically influenced the fate of the Polish nation, state and Church.
During the ceremony, held at the Old Theatre in Bolesławiec, the results of an art and history (multimedia) competition connected with the anniversary were announced. The aim of the competitions was to expand students’ historical knowledge in connection with the anniversary. The prizes were presented by Stanisław Chwojnicki, member of the Management Board of Bolesławiec County, Stanisław Chwojnicki and Jan Russ, chairman of the Education, Culture, Physical Culture and Sport Committee of the County Council, Jan Russ.
The following received awards in the art competition “The Art of the Middle Ages”:
- age group 7–10:
- Miłosz Wojtowicz – Primary School No. 3 in Bolesławiec
- Maja Wojtowicz – Primary School No. 3 in Bolesławiec
- Joanna Mysiak – Primary School No. 4 in Bolesławiec
- age group 11–13:
- Szymon Sobczak – Primary School No. 4 in Bolesławiec
- Andrzej Młyńczyk – Primary School in Żeliszów
- Kamil Kuczyński (Primary School in Żeliszów) and Angelika Piaseczna (Primary School No. 4 in Bolesławiec)
- age group 13–15 (lower secondary school):
- Karolina Mech – Municipal Lower Secondary School No. 2 in Bolesławiec
- Alicja Król – Municipal Lower Secondary School No. 3 in Bolesławiec
- Wiktoria Kapuścińska – Municipal Lower Secondary School No. 4 in Bolesławiec
- age group 16–20 (upper secondary schools):
- Michał Jakubowicz – Complex of Electronic Schools in Bolesławiec.
The following received awards in the multimedia competition “The Baptism of Poland—Facts and Legends”:
- 1st place: Agata Kubica and Kacper Warężak, supervisors: Jolanta Baniecka and Grzegorz Chudzik (Ignacy Domeyko Complex of Electronic Schools in Bolesławiec)
- 1st place – Przemysław Kania and Cezary Lewkowicz, supervisor: Barbara Sykulska (Janusz Korczak General Secondary School No. 2 in Bolesławiec)
- 2nd place – Natalia Raczak, Dominika Grabarz, Sebastian Pokora, supervisor: Bogumiła Sikora (Major H. Sucharski General and Vocational Secondary School in Bolesławiec).
At the end, the audience watched the theatrical performance “Song of Medieval Scholars,” prepared by the workshop of the Stanisław Wyspiański Youth Cultural Centre in Bolesławiec.
The anniversary celebrations concluded with a solemn Mass at the Bolesławiec Marian Basilica. “Baptized Poland entered the orbit of Christian countries, becoming an equal nation and an element of the entire European arrangement,” said Father Andrzej Jarosiewicz, parish priest of the Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Nicholas in Bolesławiec. The event concluded with a performance by students from the Władysław Broniewski General Secondary School No. 1 in Bolesławiec (supervisor: Marta Pankiewicz) and the Kamerton Choir from the State Music School of the First Degree in Bolesławiec, conducted by Aleksandra Samostrokowa.
The event was co-organized by catechists from upper secondary schools, the Youth Cultural Centre, the County Centre for Education and Staff Training, and the Bolesławiec County Office—Department of Education and County Promotion.