In the film, guests are enjoying themselves while Don Vito builds relationships. In his office, he receives his “godchildren.” The opening scene of Coppola’s outstanding film “The Godfather” came to mind when I learned that Piotr Roman spent PLN 32,400 on a relationship-building banquet (yes, there was such a thing) during the Bolesławiec Ceramic Festival in August 2026.
During the wedding, politicians and ordinary people who needed protection and support came to Vito Corleone. The godfather, as the mafioso was called, supported and helped them in exchange for favors. He cultivated relationships with people while also building his influence.
I know there are people who believe Piotr Roman puts on the Ceramic Festival so that life in Bolesławiec will be more prosperous, but I am not one of them. Personally, I believe Piotr Roman treats the Ceramic Festival as an event from which he himself profits. He profits politically, of course. The festival serves him as a way to add favors to his CV, enabling him to consolidate and expand his political position.
He cynically and autocratically controls what the festival looks like, who performs at it and whom he invites. Gays and lesbians spoiled his grand ceramic parade in 2024, so he canceled the parade. He wanted Nowak to rappel down from the town hall tower—and he got it. He wanted a Bregović concert—and he got it. He wanted a sandbox in the city center—and he got it.
As the event organizer, Kornel Filipowicz will do everything Don Romano orders him to do. He will not ask what the point is, because when Roman tells him to “jump,” all he wants to know is how high.
And how could one not draw parallels with the film? This year, our ceramic Godfather even invited Mateusz Morawiecki to show him around his domain, because such an alliance happens to be useful to our local Don Vito.
And the taxpayers paid for this wedding? Who else was supposed to? Spokeswoman Gergont? Roman? Filipowicz? We pay for this festival through water, heating, waste collection and tickets. The “sponsors” on the festival poster are, after all, municipal companies: MZGK, MZGM, ZEC, PWiK and the county PKS.
Of course they are pleased. Ceramic companies make a fortune from the event, while restaurateurs and hoteliers receive a cash injection once a year. How could anyone not love this ceramic wedding?! It is nice to think that we are all financing the career of our Don Romano and his sycophants and admirers.
And if you are interested in who was admitted to Don Romano’s exclusive event, here is the list of invited associations. Why were they selected? “These are associations that have operated in Bolesławiec the longest; each of the listed associations received one invitation. Due to the anniversary nature of the event, representatives of the Bolesławiec-Prinjavor Association also participated in larger numbers,” explains spokeswoman Agnieszka Gergont.
Here is the list of those invited to the weddi… relationship-building banquet.
- Management Board of the PCK Regional Branch
- “Bolesławiec Land” Association
- Bolesławiec Enthusiasts’ Society
- Management Board of the Regional Branch of the Polish Association of Pensioners and Retirees in Bolesławiec
- Bolesławiec Amazons Club
- Guild of Various Crafts and Small Businesses
- Association of Re-emigrants from Bosnia, Their Descendants and Friends
- Siberians’ Association Circle
- ZHP “Gray Ranks” Scout District
- Association of People with Disabilities in Bolesławiec
- Society of Lviv and Southeastern Borderlands Enthusiasts
- Association of Parents of Children and Young People Requiring Special Care
- University of the Third Age in Bolesławiec
- Regional Board of the Beekeepers’ Association Circle in Bolesławiec
- Seniors’ Council
- Association of Retired and Former Employees
- KGHM Polska Miedź S.A.
- Municipal Branch of the Society of Friends of Children
- Bolesławiec Anti-Aircraft Association
- Bolesławiec Land Local Government Forum
- Association of Retired and Former Police Employees
- Management Board of the Polish Association of the Blind Circle