On Thursday, November 26, the Młodzieżowy Dom Kultury in Bolesławiec celebrated its 55th anniversary. The ceremony opened with an exhibition of works by 10 students of the institution, including the acclaimed artist Czesław Matyjewicz and Marta Greszta, a student at the Fine Arts High School in Jelenia Góra. Among those attending the birthday celebrations were representatives of the city and county authorities, former and current directors of the institution, and MDK teachers.
“I have been drawn to painting since I was a child,” says Marta Greszta, who attended classes taught by Magdalena Konieczna for three years. “Ms. Magda always told me what I was good at and which direction I should take,” adds the MDK student, emphasizing that she intends to pursue studies related to stained glass or glass.
“I took my first steps here. When I was just eight years old, I knew that I would work in sculpture,” recalls Hanna Białas, a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków and currently an MDK teacher. “Now I work here. It is an incredible coincidence, because this place positively radiates art.”
MDK is an institution that helps bring out the potential dormant in young people. “All it takes is for them to come under the wing of good artists. Not teachers, but people who create art themselves. This makes it easier to find common ground,” says Stanisława Wojda-Pytlińska, a visual artist and educator who was associated with MDK for many years. “And there are such people at the Youth Cultural Centre. They are true professionals.”
“Fifty-five years of history. This is proof, among other things, that such an institution is needed by the local community. It is an institution that educates through art. The youngest generation is meant to catch the artistic bug here,” emphasizes Marek Łętowski, the current head of MDK. “We are not quite an art school. We give children the opportunity to test themselves and find out whether they have the talent and aptitude.”
That day, the audience gathered in the auditorium of the Młodzieżowy Dom Kultury had the opportunity to watch, among other things, a folk dance performance by the Mały Bolesławiec Song and Dance Ensemble and a travesty of “Balladyna,” presented by the Tygrys Ogłuszony Domem group.
Moreover, Marek Łętowski honored with an MDK leaf those who had supported the institution in various ways recently. The distinctions were presented to: Dorota Kowalska, chairwoman of the Parents’ Council operating at the Młodzieżowy Dom Kultury; county councillor Henryk Jasiński; and county governor Cezary Przybylski.
(ii report)