We broadcast the 23rd Gala for the Presentation of Awards for the Promotion of Bolesławiec live on Facebook. The awards were presented by Mayor Piotr Roman.
Here are the award recipients in each category:
Honorary awards
The “Senior+” Day Centre is a day-support centre providing assistance to elderly and lonely people who require such help because of their age, illness or disability. More than 70 people use the services of the “Senior+” Day Centre every day. The facility also aims to assist pensioners and people with limited physical ability in organizing their daily lives. In December 2018, the completely modernized premises for seniors—the “Senior+” Day Centre on Staroszkolna Street—were ceremonially opened. The centre was established under the Multiannual “Senior+” Programme, co-financed by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy. After the building was reconstructed and equipped, new rooms without architectural barriers were created, the garden area was developed, and an outdoor gym and garden gazebo were installed. The modernized facility is intended to make the centre easier to use for seniors with mobility problems, and to give older people easier access to various forms of activity and rehabilitation, which is a very important element of an older person’s daily life. That is why the “Senior+” Day Centre is a very important place in our city. The facility cooperates with many associations and organizations. The building on Staroszkolna Street also houses the Polish Association of the Blind and the Bolesławiec Amazons Association. A branch of the Municipal Public Library is also located on the premises. Mrs. Danuta Zamaro headed the facility for the last 28 years.
“Bolesławiecka Ceramika Kalich” Jacek Kalich was founded in 2001 by Jacek Kalich and his wife Weronika. The company’s hallmark is richly decorated artistic ceramics, often designed in limited series. The workshop has developed 540 stamped and painted decorations featuring floral patterns. Bolesławiec Pottery Kalich and its main US sales representative, Lidia’s Polish Pottery, present their products at many international and regional fairs, exhibitions and events, including The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market in New York, Las Vegas Market, Seattle Gift Show, TV-QVC, the Cranberry Museum and the Statue of Liberty. The company also took part in the Vitrel Trade Fair in Mikołajki, the fair in Česká Lípa, the Bolesławiec Ceramic Festival, the Christmas Fair in Warsaw and the Embroidery, Lace and Handicrafts Festival in Łódź, where in 2008 it received an exhibitors’ award for its ceramic stand arrangement and an award for a retro bathroom set. In 2010, it won second prize for a regional product at the “Regional Products and Souvenirs—The Most Effective Means of Promoting a Region” exhibition, held alongside the Euroregion TOUR 2010 tourism fair in Jablonec nad Nisou. Bolesławiec Pottery Kalich takes an active part in projects organized by the Association of Ceramic Municipalities of the Republic of Poland.
Bolesławiec County. In March 2018, Bolesławiec County received the honorary title of “Lower Silesian Capital of Culture 2018,” continuing the European-scale event “Wrocław European Capital of Culture” in 2016. As part of the event, the county and its municipalities organized a series of 15 events showcasing what they are known for. The programme included events of various kinds, referring to regional traditions, involving local artists and highlighting the uniqueness of Bolesławiec County at the regional, national and European levels. The conference inaugurating the series took place in April at the Old Theatre in Bolesławiec. As part of the “Lower Silesian Capital of Culture 2018” project, Bolesławiec County and six municipalities in the county planned a range of attractions for residents and visiting tourists.
The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity staff in Bolesławiec and its head, Michał Szwed, revived a beautiful tradition of helping others in Bolesławiec. Thanks to the work of the entire team of volunteers, the 27th Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Finale was also held in Bolesławiec. The aim of the 27th Finale was to purchase modern medical equipment for specialist children’s hospitals. These are facilities with level II and III reference departments, meaning they can provide specialist diagnoses and medical assistance to sick children. Nearly 50 such hospitals operate in Poland. Their services cover the entire country. In facilities of this kind, modern equipment meeting the highest standards is particularly important, giving doctors and medical staff the best possible opportunities to diagnose and treat the most difficult cases. Many weeks of preparations and the great commitment of the Bolesławiec Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity staff, volunteers and donors led to a successful finale in Bolesławiec. Bolesławiec Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Staff #4689 raised PLN 127,813.38.
Lower Silesian District Rugby Association based in Bolesławiec was established in 2012. It is the fastest-growing rugby centre in the region. The most important sporting event in 2018 organized by the Lower Silesian District Rugby Association after nearly four years of efforts was the Lower Silesian Final of the TAG Primary Schools Rugby competition—the Children’s Games held as part of School Sports Association competitions. In addition, the Rugby Association organized the semifinal of the Inter-Provincial Youth Championships, the semifinal of the Polish U-18 Rugby 7 Championships and the Grand Final of the Lower Silesian TAG Rugby League held in December, which brought together 29 Lower Silesian teams. These events were preceded by qualifying tournaments for the Bolesławiec Mayor’s Cup and the Bolesławiec County Championships. In just five years, the Lower Silesian District Rugby Association held a total of 40 different tournaments for children and young people in Bolesławiec, organized two finals of the National Youth Olympiad, the Final of the Inter-Provincial Youth Championships and the Lower Silesian TAG Rugby League.
SCIENCE
Dr. Eng. Mateusz Celmer, a native of Bolesławiec, is a co-creator of an innovative ultrasound tomograph for diagnosing breast cancer. The device combines the diagnostic capabilities of mammography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. Its purpose is to enable quick and inexpensive screening for breast cancer. For his outstanding scientific and research work, he received prestigious awards, including the Acoustical Society of America Award and, twice, the Marek Kwiec Award presented by the Polish Acoustical Society. In 2018, the authorities of Wrocław University of Science and Technology awarded the candidate a doctoral degree in technical sciences. The Council of the Faculty of Electronics of Wrocław University of Science and Technology and the university Senate nominated his doctoral dissertation for the Prime Minister’s Award.
Mikołaj Omiatacz is a third-year student at the second-level Music School in Bolesławiec. He is currently in his seventh year of saxophone studies with Mateusz Boduch, MA. In 2018, he represented the city of Bolesławiec many times at music competitions, winning numerous awards and distinctions. Among the most important were third place in the international “International Saxophone Forum” competition and second place in the nationwide “Lubusz Clarinet and Saxophone Forum” competition. In 2015, Mikołaj Omiatacz also won first prize at the nationwide Jupiter Competition in Kraków.
Municipal Public Kindergarten No. 4 in Bolesławiec promotes a healthy lifestyle and environmental protection, and supports parents in shaping children’s proper eating habits and an eco-friendly attitude. This is reflected, among other things, in cooperation with a Czech kindergarten from Liberec under the project “Cross-Border Kindergarteners Promote Exercise and Healthy Flavours.” The kindergarten’s pupils are healthy, fit and sensitive to the suffering of others, as shown by their support for initiatives such as the “Sponsored Run” and an attempt to set a record for the length of a paper Christmas-tree chain for children with muscular dystrophy under the care of the Children’s Rehabilitation Clinic of the Medical University in Białystok.
Primary School No. 2 in Bolesławiec is a school with passion. Creative teachers and imaginative students create an environment in which every student has the opportunity to develop according to their abilities and pursue their passions and interests. They carry out many local, regional, national and international projects, including projects with the Czech Republic, Italy and Ukraine. In 2018, students and their friends from Vallecorsa and Acuto prepared a performance as part of celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of Maria de Mattias being named patron saint of Bolesławiec. In August, they were invited to municipal celebrations in Vallecorsa—the Palio delle Quattro Porte. The school became a co-organizer of the Lower Silesian Science Festival; as part of it, the concert “Smile, Pole” was prepared, and lectures and workshops were also held.
SOCIAL
Mrs. Jadwiga Szymanowska has been a student at the University of the Third Age in Bolesławiec since 2007. Since 2013, she has run the Cultural and Cognitive Club, in whose activities she is actively and creatively involved. Particular attention should be paid to activities connected with integrating seniors belonging to the Association of Lower Silesian Seniors at the Marshal’s Office in Wrocław. During the Bolesławiec Ceramic Festival, 90 students of the University of the Third Age from the Wrocław University of Economics, the University of Wrocław and Nowa Ruda took part in the Ceramic Parade. Mrs. Jadwiga Szymanowska was deeply involved in a meeting with students of the University of the Third Age from Zielona Góra, who presented a photography vernissage at the “Orzeł” Cultural Integration Centre. Mrs. Jadwiga initiated cooperation with seniors from the KGHM Association and members of the Bolesławiec Land Association.
Mrs. Danuta Zamaro ran the Day Centre for Senior Citizens from 1990. During its 28 years of operation, the centre established cooperation with many nearby senior-support centres, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, support centres and assistance institutions. Every year, seniors take part in International Senior Meetings and Saxon harvest festivals. In 2003, the Day Centre for Senior Citizens organized an International Senior Meeting. Mrs. Danuta Zamaro always placed great emphasis on integration with the local community. For this reason, seniors took part several times in the artistic programmes of municipal events, concerts and exhibitions. Through her activities, she created broad opportunities for seniors to develop their passions and interests. At Mrs. Danuta Zamaro’s initiative, the Senior+ project, co-financed by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, was implemented in 2018.
Mr. Zbigniew Junkiewicz has been interested in the history of the Eastern Borderlands for many years. Since 1992, he has organized meetings for people born in Osowa, now in Belarus. These meetings resulted in pilgrimages to the Eastern Borderlands. He initiated a campaign to restore forgotten old graves in the cemetery in Osowa. To preserve the stories of ordinary people from Polesia, he obtained old prints and records from archives documenting their membership in the Pinsk and Stolin nobility. He created an online family tree containing 30,000 confirmed different first names and surnames. Since 2015, he has been an active member of the Society of Friends of Lviv and the Southeastern Borderlands. He runs the website of the Bolesławiec branch of the society on Facebook, posting important information, photographs, videos and information about events held in Bolesławiec. Through the website, residents of Bolesławiec’s partner city, Zbarazh, take part in events organized in Bolesławiec. In recognition of his work for the local community, bringing the history of Poland’s Eastern Borderlands closer to the younger generation, he received the Distinguished Cultural Activist badge from the Minister of Culture and National Heritage in 2005.
CULTURE
Zofia Kołodziej is a third-year student at Municipal Lower Secondary School No. 2 in Bolesławiec and attends workshops at the Bolesławiec Cultural Centre—International Ceramics Centre. She is a young, talented artist from Bolesławiec who received a distinction at the 36th International Bard Festival—OPPA 2018 in Warsaw. To participate in the competition, contestants had to compose their own music, write lyrics and then perform five original songs. Zosia reached the final and received a distinction funded by the Museum of Song in Opole. She was the youngest participant and finalist in the 36-year history of the festival. She also won the 63rd Lower Silesian Recitation Competition in 2018 in the sung poetry category at the Lower Silesian stage.
Mrs. Jolanta Koźmin, a student at the University of the Third Age, has lived in Bolesławiec for 30 years. She belongs to the university’s painting group. She is a book illustrator and author of études and theatrical plays. In 2018, she illustrated the anthology “Shades of Polish Poetry 1918–2018 on the Centenary of Poland Regaining Independence.” The book and illustrator were awarded the “Golden Stanisław Moniuszko Statuette” by the Centre of Polish Culture in Lithuania. In 2018, Mrs. Jolanta Koźmin published the author’s calendar “Madonnas of Bolesławiec.” “Gallery on the Fence” is a regular exhibition of Mrs. Jolanta Koźmin’s paintings on her house fence, visited in 2018 by numerous groups of residents and tourists. She conducts charitable and community activities. On her painting profile on Facebook, she publishes extensive photographic reports on cultural and social activities in Bolesławiec.
Julia Gołębiowska is a final-year student in the mathematics and physics class at the General Secondary School. For her work promoting music and singing, as well as for her high personal culture and academic achievements, she received the school’s highest distinction in 2018—the “Helena and Wincenty Tyrankiewicz Scholarship.” For years, she has animated the musical life of the school and city, participating in many school and municipal events. Julia’s love of music and great talent, including organizational talent, led to the creation of the “Synkopa 2” School Choir. Together with her high-school teacher, Irmina Nowak, she revived an old high-school tradition, organized a group of peers, and handled both the musical arrangements and the repertoire. During the choir’s two years of activity, it greatly expanded its repertoire and stage presence. Today, its performances are vocal shows with rich amateur choreography, always very well prepared and presenting the highest artistic standard.
Mrs. Irmina Nowak, a Polish teacher at the General Secondary School, serves as adviser to the Student Council. One of her initiatives was establishing the school choir, whose name, “Synkopa 2,” refers to the choir that existed at the school in the 1970s and 1980s. The choir she leads is a hallmark not only of school ceremonies and events but also participates in many municipal, regional and even international events. 2018 was a very successful year in the two-year history of “Synkopa 2,” marked by many wonderful performances. Thanks to Mrs. Irmina Nowak’s activity, persistence and great commitment, the choir continually expands its repertoire, creating themed shows that combine singing and choreography. All these achievements result from Mrs. Irmina Nowak’s personal commitment and her ability to inspire and encourage young people to develop themselves. She can effectively combine and make use of the many talents of students at the General Secondary School.
Grzegorz Sidorowicz. President of the “Camera” Photographic Association from 2014 to 2018, he currently serves as vice-president. He co-organized outdoor photography sessions, photographic walks and competitions, and coordinated the international artistic event “Ceramics—European Cultural Heritage in Photography,” organized by the Bolesławiec Cultural Centre—International Ceramics Centre, in which a group of 20 Polish and Czech photographers took part. The project concluded with photographic exhibitions at the “Orzeł” Cultural Integration Centre in Bolesławiec and the Municipal Gallery in Trutnov, an exhibition catalogue and a 2019 calendar. In 2018, Mr. Grzegorz Sidorowicz actively participated in events organized by local cultural centres. He took first place in the photography competition “Bolesławiec Yesterday and Today: The Last Decades Captured in Frames,” organized by the Museum of Ceramics in Bolesławiec. In 2018, Mr. Grzegorz co-organized exhibitions of the “Camera” Photographic Association’s work for Bolesławiec residents and the “Rzeczka” outdoor photography session, and led a group of several photographers in the Photomarathon organized by the city of Görlitz in Germany.
SPORT
Mr. Andrzej Stefańczyk has been running marathons for several years, promoting “Bolesławiec—the city of ceramics.” In 2018, he took part in the NEW YORK CITY MARATHON 2018 representing Muzyczne Radio. He was the first and only resident of Bolesławiec to run the New York Marathon, the largest and most prestigious in the world. He prepared a report from the race, which could be heard on Muzyczne Radio. In addition to the New York Marathon, the candidate’s achievements include winning the Polish Marathon Crown. Reports from each subsequent distance he completed can always be heard on Muzyczne Radio.
Przemysław Obrzut. He is an athlete with the “Olimpijczyk” Bolesławiec Special Olympics Club. In 2018, he won a gold medal in the 4×25 m relay and a silver medal in the 50 m freestyle at the 11th National Summer Special Olympics Games, a gold medal at the 16th Lower Silesian Special Olympics Football Tournament and a gold medal in the overall classification of the 14th Lower Silesian Special Olympics Powerlifting Meet.
Sabina Rzepka. An athlete, coach, researcher and doctoral student at the Academy of Physical Education in Katowice. She is a personal trainer for nearly 20 amateur cyclists, triathletes and runners. Since 2014, Mrs. Sabina Rzepka has been a member of the National Triathlon Team—International Master Sport Class. She has competed 10 times in World Championship, European Championship and European Cup events, as well as more than 30 times in the world’s most prestigious off-road triathlon series, offroad (crosstriathlon)—XTERRA—in the Elite category, including four appearances at the XTERRA World Championships. She competes for Bolesławiec’s Cyklosport Sports Club. In 2018, she won the Polish Cross Triathlon Championship in the Elite category, took seventh place in the XTERRA European Cup in Italy and 17th place at the XTERRA European Championships in Germany.
Gracjan Kozak. An athlete with the “Bolesłavia” Inter-School Sports Club, he is a bronze medalist in discus throw at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires and a bronze medalist in discus throw at the European U18 Championships in Hungary. He is also Polish vice-champion in discus throw and a bronze medalist at the PZLA Polish Championships in shot put, Polish LZS champion in discus throw and Polish LZS vice-champion in shot put. Gracjan Kozak is part of the National Junior Team training programme and holds first-class sports status. Gracjan’s coach is Tomasz Markowski.
Tomasz Markowski. A group of athletes coached by Tomasz Markowski won numerous medals for Bolesławiec at championship events in 2018 and achieved finalist positions in national and Lower Silesian competitions. The coach’s athlete, Gracjan Kozak, competed at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, where he won a bronze medal—the first Olympic Games medal for Bolesławiec. Coach Tomasz Markowski received an award from the Lower Silesian Athletics Association for outstanding sporting achievements in 2018. Athletes from the throwing group won five medals at the PZLA Polish Championships and Polish LZS Championships in the previous year; 14 athletes obtained sports classifications, including two who achieved second class and two who achieved first class.
Mr. Edward Spraski is a judoka, teacher and deputy director for sport at the Bolesławiec County Centre for Education and Staff Training. He has devoted his entire life to sport and to children and young people. He was a physical education teacher at a primary school. Since 1999, he has headed the Inter-School Sports Centre, an institution through which Bolesławiec’s best young athletes have passed. For many years, he has shared his experience with younger teachers and coaches. He takes part in many events organized by the Polish Judo Association, the European Judo Federation and the International Judo Federation. A multiple-time representative of Poland, he has competed at the World and European Championships. In June 2018, at the European Veterans Championships in Glasgow, he won a silver medal in the M-8 age category. Poland’s team consisted of 27 people; the masters’ team placed fifth overall, while individuals stood on the podium six times.
Mr. Mariusz Lickiewicz is a community activist and cycling enthusiast who rides in road and MTB pelotons and initiates numerous social and sporting campaigns. In January 2018, as part of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity at the ORZEŁ Cultural Integration Centre, a nationwide virtual cycling event on the ZWIFT training platform—an international portal for cycling enthusiasts—was held on his initiative. In 2018, he took second place in the “Activist of the Year” category of the 65th Gazeta Wrocławska “Athlete of the Year” poll. He was the 2018 Polish Uniformed Services Road Mountain Champion in road cycling. He conceived and organized cycling races in Bolesławiec. He initiated and developed the idea of organizing MTB XC cycling competitions in Bolesławiec. On his initiative, the eighth stage of one of Poland’s largest MTB cycling series, Kaczmarek Electric MTB, took place in Bolesławiec in 2018. He is co-founder and vice-president of Bolesławiec’s XTRABIKE Cycling Club, which in 2018 became the official factory team of Polish bicycle manufacturer ROMET.
Jakub Pateruha and Patryk Patreuha took part with great success in all youth championship-level events in Poland and abroad. As double Polish Junior Champions, they attended the Polish U-20 national team camp and the World Junior Team Championships (U-20). They took part in the quarterfinal of the World Under-20 Junior Team Championships held in Suzhou, China. At the World University Championships in Xuzhou, China, organized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), they won the world runner-up title with the Polish team. In Croatia, they took 10th place at the European Junior Pairs Championships. They competed in the second league for the Bolesławiec Bridge Club Bolesławiec.
Mrs. Justyna Tylicka and Mr. Sebastian Burczyk repeatedly represented the city of Bolesławiec at national and international competitions in 2018, always reaching the podium. In 2018, the Bolesławiec dance couple achieved the highest “S” dance class in the standard style and “A” class in the Latin American style. In 2018, in the Senior 2 category for competitors over 40, they took first place at the World Ten-Dance Championships, the Polish Standard Dance Championships and the Polish Open Championship—standard. They took second place at the Polish Latin American Dance Championships and the Polish Open Championship. During the Polish Grand Prix series, they repeatedly reached the podium, achieving top places. The total of all Polish Grand Prix tournaments gave the pair first place in standard dances. The Bolesławiec dancers were selected for the Polish Senior 2 national team in 2018/2019.
The “Bolesłavia” Inter-School Sports Club is a respected athletics training centre in Lower Silesia and Poland. The club’s most important events and achievements in 2018 included winning 11 medals at the PZLA Polish Championships and Polish LZS Championships. MKS “Bolesłavia” athletes won 37 medals at the Lower Silesian Championships in various age categories and 11 at the macroregional championships. Club athlete Gracjan Kozak competed at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, where he won a bronze medal in discus throw, and at the European U18 Championships in Hungary, where he also won bronze. Another club athlete, Michał Zazula, set a Polish record in the U16 pentathlon. Forty-two athletes obtained sports classifications, including five who achieved second class and two who achieved first class. The “Bolesłavia” Inter-School Sports Club earned 107.5 points in the youth sports system organized by the Ministry of Sport and Tourism and placed third among 29 classified athletics clubs in Lower Silesia in the competition for children and young people.
DISTINCTIONS
Mr. Adrian Bernacki, a physical education teacher at Primary School No. 1, actively participates in school life and undertakes initiatives extending beyond the institution. He took part in and achieved success in sports competitions and projects at the provincial, national and international levels. He proposed and coordinated three projects co-financed by the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund and by state-budget funds with the support of the Nysa Euroregion. The latest project, “Fitness Is Essential, Sport Is Fun Too,” was implemented in 2017–2018. Its aim was to maintain cooperation between Primary School No. 1 in Bolesławiec and Základní Škola Jablonné v Podjštědí. As part of the project, four meetings were held during which participants took part in sports competitions, games and activities, and acquired knowledge and skills in resuscitation and transporting the injured.
The Youth Team of the HUSAR Bolesławiec Rugby Club emerged from a group of children taking part in the Programme for Promoting Sport among Children and Young People through TAG Rugby. The youth players repeatedly received individual awards as the best players in particular tournaments. The final results were two silver medals at the Inter-Provincial Youth Rugby 7 Championships in 2017 and 2018, two gold medals at the International Youth Championships—Olympic Hopes in the same years, and third place in the Regional Children’s and Youth Tournaments organized under the auspices of the Polish Rugby Association in 2018. Players from Bolesławiec are also members of the Lower Silesian provincial team and are called up to the broader Polish national squad during consultations of the National Provincial Youth Squads. In the youth competition system, the team earned 40 points.