BOK said it would not finance Nowak’s activities

It was supposed to be a simple answer to a simple question. On July 15, 2025, the istotne.pl editorial team asked Bolesławiec Cultural Center – International Ceramics Center about the costs of the event included in the program of the Bolesławiec Ceramic Festival under the name “Teatr Glina Da Parade Out of Love for Clay” and about the costs of the opening of the BŚC and the performance by the clay mime.

On July 28, 2025, BOK-MCC replied:

“The activities of Teatr Glina Da Parade Out of Love for Clay on August 16, 2025, will not be financed by BOK-MCC.”

The same response stated that Teatr Glina Da Bogusław Nowak would receive PLN 15,000 gross for organizing and carrying out the opening of the 31st Ceramic Festival on August 15, 2025.

Today, after further responses to requests for public information and an analysis of the agreements, it is clear that the statement about not financing Nowak’s activities did not describe the whole picture.

BOK-MCC did more than simply include Teatr Glina Da’s parade in the program of the city festival. The center entered into agreements for elements of the event, paid performers, financed activities connected with the parade and opening, and also signed sponsorship agreements, under which the money did not go to BOK-MCC but directly to Bogusław Nowak.

PLN 82,000 from BOK-MCC and sponsors’ money straight to Nowak

The response from BOK-MCC dated December 22, 2025, shows that the cost of actors, artistic groups and activities connected with the “Bolesławiec Parade Out of Love for Clay – Teatr Glina Da Gives You Wings” and the opening of the BŚC amounted to PLN 82,673.07.

But that is not the end of the story.

BOK-MCC signed sponsorship agreements with KRAS-DOM and M&J concerning the 2025 Bolesławiec Ceramic Festival. The center granted the companies festival sponsor status and provided promotion in event materials: logos on posters and leaflets, presentations on websites and an LED screen, verbal announcements, information for the media, and the opportunity to display advertisements during the event.

But the money from these agreements did not go into BOK-MCC’s account. In its response dated May 18, 2026, the center itself confirmed that the funds from KRAS-DOM and M&J were transferred directly to Teatr Glina Da Bogusław Nowak.

This concerned PLN 18,450 gross from KRAS-DOM and PLN 14,760 gross from M&J. Together, that was PLN 33,210, which, according to BOK-MCC’s response, went directly to Bogusław Nowak’s company.

And this is the heart of the matter: BOK-MCC signed sponsorship agreements with companies, granted them city festival sponsor status and provided them with promotion, but the money from those agreements did not go to the municipal cultural institution. It was transferred directly to a private contractor – Teatr Glina Da Bogusław Nowak.

The opening, the descent from the tower and further costs

The opening of the Bolesławiec Ceramic Festival was a separate item. BOK-MCC indicated that Teatr Glina Da Bogusław Nowak received PLN 15,000 gross for organizing and carrying out the opening.

In addition, there was PLN 7,380 for an industrial climbing service and the construction of a station for a rope descent. This was part of the opening during which Bogusław Nowak descended on a rope from the town hall tower.

The calculation therefore looks like this:

  • PLN 82,673.07 – costs of actors, groups and activities connected with the parade and opening,
  • PLN 33,210 – funds from KRAS-DOM and M&J transferred directly to Bogusław Nowak,
  • PLN 15,000 – remuneration for Bogusław Nowak for the opening of the BŚC,
  • PLN 7,380 – industrial climbing service and construction of a rope-descent station.

Total: PLN 138,263.07.

First the Gliniada was rejected, then a more expensive model

The matter is all the more interesting because BOK-MCC had earlier declined an offer to prepare the Gliniada for PLN 45,000 gross. The offer included clay body-painting workshops, a street parade, live music, a preparation zone and the event finale.

When we asked BOK-MCC director Kornel Filipowicz whether the rejection of Krzysztof Gwizdała’s offer was decided by its price, budgetary considerations or substantive factors, he replied that the center receives many proposals and BOK-MCC does not explain to bidders the factors it considers when making its selection.

The documents now show that a considerably more expensive model was built around the clay parade. This is not about accusing the sponsors of supporting the event. Companies operate in local realities, support events, promote themselves and have the right to do so. The question is different: why did a public cultural institution sign sponsorship agreements, provide sponsors with promotion for a city festival, but direct the money from those agreements to a private contractor?

And a second question: why could BOK-MCC say that it was not financing Nowak’s activities connected with the parade when, at the same time, it was financing tens of thousands of złoty in costs related to the event, while Nowak received money from sponsors under sponsorship agreements for a municipal event?

This is not a matter of artistic taste; it is a question of transparency in financing the Bolesławiec Ceramic Festival.

In May, we sent information about these amounts and financial transfers to all city councilors. None of them raised the issue during a session,