Every year, the Bolesławiec County Head invites all village councils – led by village heads – to take part in the competition for the most beautiful traditional harvest festival wreath.

At the turn of August and September, during harvest festivals organized in the municipalities of the county, the wreaths entered in the competition will be assessed by a committee appointed by the County Head.

In accordance with the regulations, the most beautiful and most traditional wreath will represent Bolesławiec County at the Lower Silesian harvest festival, which will take place on 8 September in Niemcza.

It is worth familiarizing yourself with the competition regulations. Additionally, all information will be provided by Renata Czerwińska, head of the County Promotion Department, tel. 505 185 972.

Competition objectives

  • promoting and preserving traditions associated with harvest festival rituals; presenting the most beautiful traditional harvest festival wreaths from Bolesławiec County
  • presenting the abundance of crops woven into the harvest festival wreaths
  • exchanging experience between the individual groups presenting their wreaths
  • selecting the works with the highest ethnographic and artistic value for the provincial competition stage.

Competition venue and date

The competition committee will assess the wreaths at harvest festivals held in the municipalities of Bolesławiec County at the turn of August and September of the given year – but no later than one week before the Lower Silesian Voivodeship harvest festival.

Competition participation rules

Each wreath entered in the competition should be accompanied by an information card containing the name of the municipality and village council that made the wreath.

Eligibility criteria for wreaths to participate in the competition

Groups presenting wreaths may participate in the competition if their wreaths meet the following criteria:

  1. the competition includes wreaths whose form and materials used refer to Polish traditions of harvest festival wreaths (crowns)
  2. wreaths entered in the competition should not exceed the following dimensions: height 180 cm; width at the base and diameter at any point along the wreath’s height up to 150 cm
  3. wreaths may not contain plastic or polystyrene elements (e.g. figurines or artificial flowers), and their appearance may not evoke negative associations, offend religious feelings or violate moral standards
  4. the construction of the wreaths must allow them to be carried in the harvest festival procession.

Competition committee

  • the wreaths will be assessed by a competition committee appointed by the Bolesławiec County Head
  • the competition committee consists of 4 people
  • the committee’s work is directed by its chairperson
  • minutes of the committee’s work will be drawn up and signed by all committee members
  • the decision of the competition committee is final and no appeal may be lodged against it.

Wreath assessment criteria

Assessment criteria (the maximum number of points a wreath may receive in each category):

  1. compliance with tradition (in terms of composition, form, materials used and weaving techniques) – 3 points
  2. abundance and variety of materials used (ears of grain, grain seeds, fruit, vegetables, herbs, flowers, etc.) – 3 points
  3. aesthetic qualities (composition, choice of colors, structure of the form) – 3 points
  4. overall artistic expression, referring in form to traditional harvest festival wreaths – 3 points.

Each wreath may receive a maximum of 12 points from each committee member, who awards points to individual wreaths on the assessment sheet. The points are added together; the wreath with the highest total wins.

If several wreaths receive the same number of points, the chairperson’s assessment determines the order.

Gifts and distinctions

  • material prizes and letters of congratulations will be awarded for first, second and third place. The committee may also award distinctions in the form of letters of congratulations
  • the official announcement of the results will take place three days after the last harvest festival, but no later than one week before the Lower Silesian Voivodeship harvest festival
  • diplomas and prizes will be presented during the September session of the Bolesławiec County Council
  • information about the competition results will be published on the Bolesławiec County website, www.powiatboleslawiecki.pl
  • the wreath that takes first place, together with its wreath group, will represent Bolesławiec County at the Lower Silesian Voivodeship harvest festival.

Details are available on the website of Bolesławiec County.