At another meeting at “Vinci,” we talked about culture in Bolesławiec, its condition, and criticism of cultural institutions. About the money that should be spent on culture. About how the local government should support cultural initiatives in the city. And about what fate may await major city events that receive no subsidies: Gliniada, Blues nad Bobrem, or activities at Concordia. The invited women also selected the most important cultural activities of 2009.
Interviewees
- Anna Bober-Tubaj – director of the Museum of Ceramics in Bolesławiec
- Ewa Lijewska-Małachowska – director of the Bolesławiec Cultural Centre and International Ceramics Centre
- Halina Majewska – director of the Municipal Public Library
- Danuta Maślicka – former director of the Bolesławiec Cultural Centre, councillor in the first term of the City Council, one of the founders of the local television station in the city, founder of Bolesławiec’s “Teachers’ Solidarity” in 1980
- Ewa Ołenicz-Bernacka – City Council member, teacher at Municipal Gymnasium No. 2, volunteer and co-organizer of Blues nad Bobrem.
- Józefina Witas – bookseller, awarded the Ikar prize (an award of the publishing and bookselling industry), owner of the Agora bookshop, member of the Via Sudetica Association, involved in promoting high culture in Bolesławiec.
Grażyna Hanaf: Do we have high-C Culture in Bolesławiec, or small-town culture?
Ewa Ołenicz-Bernacka: Before answers are given to this question, partly as the hostess, I would like to point out that the women who are most important to Bolesławiec culture have come to today’s meeting (I think the reasons for this statement are obvious to most people). This bodes well not only for our meeting. It proves that women care—they want to and can engage in dialogue. And although what I said may sound that way, it has nothing to do with feminism.
Danuta Maślicka: I would resist such a description: “small-town culture.”
Anna Bober-Tubaj: Let me recall the words of Professor Ajlikow-Czarnecka: everything depends on what we carry within us.
Józefina Witas: It is both.
Danuta Maślicka: I can look at it from the outside, as a recipient. I believe that Bolesławiec has high culture. A great deal is happening, both institutionally and outside institutions.
Józefina Witas: I think so too. The offer is rich, but only a small group of people take advantage of it. Those who think that nothing is happening simply do not participate in anything.
Ewa Lijewska-Małachowska: I would be cautious about making such a division of culture. Every activity is worthwhile. Criticism can be constructive when it proposes something in return. The worst is criticism for the sake of criticism.
Where does criticism of cultural events in the city come from?
Ewa Ołenicz-Bernacka: Criticism proves that something is happening. The question about low and high culture was simply provocative, yet there is still some problem. I do not know how large it is or whether it concerns only our city or all of Poland. However, the worst thing that can happen is mixing culture with politics. In our local community there are strange divisions that may have something to do with political affiliations. I would like to draw attention to this. It also seems to me that Ms Lijewska-Małachowska has the most difficult position, partly for this reason. The BOK director has always been a whipping boy; I do not know why…
Danuta Maślicka: Because BOK was and is treated as a service institution for the local government-employer. I could give many examples to support this thesis.
Ewa Ołenicz-Bernacka: But it should not be that way. The independence and autonomy of the BOK director should be strengthened.
From time to time, online forums feature criticism of funding only local-government cultural institutions. Internet users write that money in such centres goes toward bills and maintaining marble buildings rather than people and artistic activities… And that nothing happens in the centres…
Ewa Lijewska-Małachowska: I will answer this way. Forty-six thousand cinema-goers in 2009, more than 30 concerts, more than 20 openings and exhibitions, 30 performances and cabarets. I do not know what it means to say that nothing is happening…
Ewa Ołenicz-Bernacka: The worst kind of criticism is criticism without foundation. Without a doubt, last year was full of excellent concerts, for example by Stańko, Biczewska and Maleńczuk.
Can we speak of success in culture? What is it: attendance, praise in the media, the status of an invited star?
Józefina Witas: A difficult subject. The measure is not whether only 30 people attend a meeting. What matters is who was invited, how it was received, how people discuss it afterwards. And whether the meeting leaves a mark on the listeners.
We live in times when, if you do not create a great deal of publicity, even the best and most valuable event is not regarded as a success. Is a cultural event not attractive in itself?
Ewa Lijewska-Małachowska: We can speak of success if the artist achieves it. I ask myself what I want to convey and who the recipients of my proposals will be. We organized a rock concert, “Stop Drug Addiction,” for middle-school students—instead of another talk. In this way, we managed to reach young people. The girls screamed and were carried on people’s hands. The message got through. Ms Ewa Ołenicz-Bernacka was at that concert as a form teacher…
Ewa Ołenicz-Bernacka: …I was wild about it myself!
Ewa Lijewska-Małachowska: It made sense; that is success.
Józefina Witas: I do what I want. No one nominated me for my position, and no one holds me accountable for it. For me, the value lies in giving something worthwhile. I do not judge whether it is a success for me. And my activities are noticed more outside Bolesławiec than in it.
Danuta Maślicka: We are touching on a very important matter: recognition. Recognition for people who, like Ms Witas, do not have to do anything. Gliniada and activities at Concordia are examples. I can say this directly. The local authorities, as if they had one eye closed, do not appreciate alternative activities created through volunteers’ efforts. In my view, this year Gliniada deserved an extra-special award for promoting the city, without detracting from any of the other award recipients. Half of the people who came to Bolesławiec for the Ceramics Festival came for Gliniada.
Would that be success? Recognition from the local government?
Danuta Maślicka: No. But perhaps one word—thank you—would be enough. Its absence can be discouraging. Every pro bono activity should be noticed and appreciated. That is how civil society is built.
Ewa Ołenicz-Bernacka: Danusiu, but you are speaking about this in the context of one person (the city mayor—the editor’s note) who should notice it and, above all, appreciate it. If, however, we set this one issue aside, Gliniada is recognized, appreciated and has been a success. Perhaps patience is needed for one side to acknowledge the other, and certainly more goodwill and less obstinacy.
Józefina Witas: I can say that great personalities have visited the Agora bookshop, including Małgorzata Kalicińska, Maciek Kuroń, Tadeusz Różewicz, Jan Miodek, Tadeusz Isakowicz-Zaleski and Tymoteusz Karpowicz, who, while visiting the country, visited only one bookshop: ours. Was that a success? Yes. Readers’ satisfaction is also recognition for me. As for the local government, regardless of who was in power, whenever I asked to hold a meeting at the Wedding Palace or the Councillors’ Hall, I was never refused. I was given the venue free of charge.
I would like to ask you to create a ranking of the most important cultural events of 2009 that took place in the city.
Ewa Lijewska-Małachowska: It is hardest to speak about one’s own work, but the most important event was the Ceramics Festival. The greatest challenge and scale. I tried not to do worse and to find something for everyone. Also all the events at BOK. Mainly concerts: by Afromental and Biczewska; the National Review of Rock Bands “Rock Blok w Bok”; the dance show “Panny i wianki”; the piano concert “Chopin przyjechał,” performed by outstanding Polish pianists. Exhibitions by Bronisław Wolanin, Joto Giotto Dimitrow and Dariusz Miliński, as well as the 45th International Ceramic and Sculpture Symposium. The South Slavic Culture Festival.
Halina Majewska: Definitely the high level of reading in Bolesławiec. Day after day, 300 people visit us, from morning until evening. People come for pleasure and to learn. Poles are reading less and less, while here it is quite the opposite. It is a success and a source of satisfaction for the team. I would like to emphasize the activity of the Book Discussion Club, operating since 2007. This initiative, promoted and supported by the Book Institute and the Polish branch of the British Council, stems from the Anglo-Saxon tradition. We choose high-quality literature. Plus meetings with authors and writers. In 2009 we hosted Manuela Gretkowska, Marek Krajewski, Jacek Pałkiewicz, Ewa Chotomska and Wanda Chotomska.
Anna Bober-Tubaj: In summary, no one is a prophet in their own country. For the Museum and its employees, the most important event was the opening of the Department of City History and the exhibition of artists from the Bolesławiec region. The attendance success was the exhibition “Christmas Nativity Scenes from the Karkonosze.” In my personal view, a significant event was the first edition of the “Bolesławiec Yearbook.” The very fact that many people from different circles became involved in its creation.
Ewa Ołenicz-Bernacka: The performance “Saul” by the Drama Theatre in Legnica, shown at Concordia. An exceptional performance in an exceptional place. All in all, an event of enormous significance. And one that took place in my city. I did not have to leave it to experience the mystery of theatre. I must also mention Blues nad Bobrem. The fact that it took place in 2009 was an event in itself, because its existence is threatened. It is one of those events prepared by amateurs, young volunteers, blues enthusiasts and fans of the event itself. That is why it is so important.
Danuta Maślicka: I would divide the events into two groups: mass and intimate. The Ceramics Festival and Wiadukt Show as mass events. The performance “Saul” at Concordia as an intimate event. It is also worth emphasizing Concordia as a place for artistic activities that attract young people. A place based on volunteering. An alternative. The average Bolesławiec resident believes that the Bolesławiec Cultural Centre has to organize events. At Concordia, no one has to do anything. These two places could successfully be joined and undertake joint activities; the city would benefit, and both sides would gain recognition. I rate the Museum of Ceramics highly.
Józefina Witas: For me, the “Bolesławiec Yearbook” is important because it will serve future generations. People will forget the Ceramics Festival, although it was beautiful. They will forget Wiadukt Show too. But in the “Yearbook…” we have our history documenting these events.
How would you like culture to be supported? Does culture have to pay for itself?
Ewa Lijewska-Małachowska: In the West, many bands will not give a concert free of charge. And when festivals are organized in Germany, the bands performing there are not megastars.
In Poland, however, we compete to book the best bands and artists for city festivals. Of course, it is an opportunity to attend a good concert without paying. But not everything can be free.
And what about paying for itself?
Józefina Witas: Ideas are the most important thing. I very often organize events without money. Window exhibitions for artists, for example…
Ewa Lijewska-Małachowska: But surely you cannot imagine organizing events without money. The logistical costs are enormous.
So what are the ideal conditions for developing culture?
Danuta Maślicka: We need a prepared audience.
Ewa Lijewska-Małachowska: Ideas, staff, an audience and a venue. And money too.
Halina Majewska: We need a new building.
What can be done to provide more money for culture?
Józefina Witas: Politicians need to understand the problem, because they are the ones who mainly provide money for culture. That understanding is lacking because, generally speaking, politicians do not have such needs.
And what about sponsors? Large mines and plants in the region, for example?
Ewa Lijewska-Małachowska: We do not have a problem with sponsors when it is a high-profile event with media coverage, as in the case of the Ceramics Festival.
Ewa Ołenicz-Bernacka: There should therefore be money in the budget for smaller-scale, niche events, which are nevertheless equally necessary and important because they achieve socially significant goals, integrate the local community and also, albeit to a lesser extent, promote the city beyond its borders. Events that will not find a sponsor as easily as the Ceramics Festival.
Ewa Lijewska-Małachowska: BOK generates money. What we earn from the cinema is allocated, among other things, to organizing exhibitions, such as the Japanese woodcut exhibition, which cost quite a lot. We also subsidize other events. This is how we can sponsor smaller events ourselves.
In the case of the Bolesławiec Cultural Centre, there is a mechanism that makes it possible to subsidize events that do not pay for themselves. It is commendable that it is being used. But what about events and organizers who cannot earn money? A major city event such as Blues nad Bobrem, for example.
Ewa Lijewska-Małachowska: As far as I remember, Blues nad Bobrem received a subsidy.
Ewa Ołenicz-Bernacka: I do not want to keep bringing it up, but it was a proverbial drop in the ocean. Artists brought to the city, whose work does not always satisfy the tastes of a broad audience, receive fees of 30,000 or more. Blues nad Bobrem received 20,000 for everything. The fact that it was held last year was a miracle and the result of the commitment of many volunteers under the direction of Łukasz Molak. It was also due to the skills and popularity in the music community outside Bolesławiec of Ms Krystyna Juszkiewicz. Events can no longer be organized this way.
Józefina Witas: Ms Ewa has raised an important issue. Several years ago I organized a nationwide limerick competition. Why did the event collapse? Because I could not manage when it grew wings—2,000 limericks were submitted, which the jury had to review and assess for free.
I understand that the problem is that when an event expands, it cannot be organized on a large scale thanks to volunteers. Where can one then go for money?
Ewa Lijewska-Małachowska: The city announces a competition for non-governmental organizations to organize this kind of event.
Józefina Witas: There was not much interest from the city authorities. From anyone in the city. I also have other things to do.
Ewa Ołenicz-Bernacka: There are events for which money is available without submitting an application, and others for which applications must be submitted. Unfortunately, the bureaucratic machinery discourages many people; it requires dedication, energy and time, while the people who organize these events voluntarily have their own professional responsibilities and jobs that occupy them every day.
Is there a chance to commercialize this type of event? Limericks could be published, turned into a brand of their own, and the money invested in organizing them recovered?
Józefina Witas: That is difficult.
Ewa Lijewska-Małachowska: I would be very happy to look into it and cooperate regarding the limericks. I have heard only good things about them.
Józefina Witas: It was a hit.
Anna Bober-Tubaj: The Museum cooperates with various Polish, Czech and German associations and institutions. Ideas are developed jointly and we submit applications together. There is money available for this. All that is needed is people willing to cooperate.
In closing, I would also like to mention the event that is my choice this year: the publication of a book by Danuta Maślicka, “Znikopis. Pamiętasz, była Solidarność…”
Ewa Ołenicz-Bernacka: I also wanted to mention it. The book, and the screens created by Danuta. Her attitude shows that in everything we call culture, the most important thing is the person and their attitude toward what surrounds us.
Anna Bober-Tubaj: Ms Maślicka is also active in meetings of the editorial board of the “Bolesławiec Yearbook.”
Danuta Maślicka: Thank you for the kind words, which I did not expect. In closing, I would like to share a Chinese proverb I found: If you give someone a rose, the scent of the rose remains on your hand. Everyone who came to the cinema, library, museum or bookshop left with a rose. And that is the role of cultural centres and culture creators. The scent that remains on the giver’s hand is nothing other than the satisfaction and pleasure of knowing that someone has become richer in some way. The scent of a rose.
And it is fleeting and invisible, so it is difficult to obtain money for it. Thank you very much for the meeting.
The women were guests at the Vinci café in Waryński Park. We thank them for making this intimate interior available to us, arranged with great taste under the aegis of Leonardo da Vinci. We recommend the café to everyone looking for an original place where they can spend an excellent time with friends. Vinci is an ideal venue for organizing gatherings among friends. We also invite you, on behalf of the owner, to laid-back Fridays.