The ceremony began with a Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Marek Mendyk, which traditionally opens the meeting every year. A hot meal and food packages were waiting for those gathered.
There was also an artistic programme. The performers included students of the Powiatowy Zespół Szkół i Placówek Specjalnych, participants of the II Środowiskowy Dom Samopomocy, and children from the vocal workshop of the Młodzieżowy Dom Kultury. The musical accompaniment was provided by the Cantate Deo choir and the Miejska Orkiestra Dęta „Bolesławiec”.
For many people with disabilities and their caregivers, this is one of the most important days of the year, one they look forward to all year long. It is one of the few opportunities to leave home and meet friends.
The main organiser of the Christmas wafer meeting is Powiat Bolesławiecki, with the participation of the Stowarzyszenie Rodziców Dzieci i Młodzieży Specjalnej Troski. Organising such a large event required the work of many people. County officials:
Special thanks go to more than 150 volunteers—secondary-school students, scouts from the Hufiec im. Szarych Szeregów, and soldiers from the 23 Śląska Brygada Artylerii—who spent two days preparing the venue, arranging and serving meals.
Employees of the Bolesławiecki Ośrodek Kultury – Międzynarodowe Centrum Ceramiki w Bolesławcu supervised the event’s technical arrangements. All municipalities and social welfare centres in the county, Towarzystwo Przyjaciół Dzieci, Powiatowe Centrum Pomocy Rodzinie, Caritas, Miejski Ośrodek Sportu i Rekreacji w Bolesławcu, and numerous sponsors also contributed to the organisation.