A well-known and respected resident of Bolesławiec has passed away. In a 1990s article in Głos Bolesławca, Zbyszko Rzeźwicki wrote:

Bolesławiec is one of the few cities in Poland to have its own Photographic Society, which for years has stood out for its active work, including the organization of many competitions and exhibitions. From November 25 to December 15, 1995, the Post-Competition Exhibition of the Bolesławiec Photographic Community '95 was presented. Its driving force was Mikołaj Jankowski.

Telewizja Bolesławiec also prepared a tribute to Mikołaj Jankowski.

Mikołaj Jankowski was born on May 5, 1935, in Mościska. By profession, he was a geological technician specializing in the prospecting for radioactive elements and radiation protection. From 1953 to 1986, he worked at the “Konrad” Mining Works in Iwiny. It was there, in 1955, that he first encountered photography, which became his passion. Initially, he photographed miners working underground. From 1977 to 1981, he worked as a photojournalist for the weekly “Polska Miedź.” He belonged to the photography section of the SM “Bolesławianka.” From January 1979 to March 1992, he ran a photography studio at the “Konrad” Mining Works Cultural Center.

He was the founder and president of the Bolesławiec branch of the Jelenia Góra Photographic Society, which existed from 1979 to 1981, and subsequently of the Bolesławiec Photographic Society, established in April 1981. During the society’s 30 years of activity, he organized many local, regional and nationwide competitions, including the Nationwide and Polish Diaspora Reviews of Youth Photography. In November 1982, he became a member of the Council of the Polish Federation of Photographic Associations; in May 1987, he was elected to the Presidium of the PFFA, and later also served on the PFFA Audit Committee. In 1995, he participated in the establishment of the Nationwide Art-Foto Creative Group, based in Bolesławiec, and became its secretary.

Mikołaj Jankowski took part in numerous solo and group exhibitions, community reviews, competitions and outdoor photography workshops. For his photographic activity, he received numerous medals and distinctions, including the “For Merit to the Development of Photography” medal awarded by the Nationwide Organizing Committee for the 150th Anniversary of Photography Celebrations (1989), the PFFA “For Merit to the Development of Photography” medal (1990), the PFFA Gold Badge (1991), the “Meritorious Cultural Activist” badge awarded by the Minister of Culture and Art (1996), and the Mayor of Bolesławiec’s Award for promoting the city (1998).

Museum of Ceramics in Bolesławiec