The idea is not new. Sixteen years ago, on the initiative of Krystyna Bochenek, well-known and less well-known Polish women named Krystyna met for the first time in Katowice. The popular journalist’s exceptional initiative led to more than just nationwide gatherings. In many larger and somewhat smaller towns, the women called Krysia established associations, clubs and circles. Whatever they may be called, they brought—and continue to bring—a different, more cheerful atmosphere to social life in various communities.
The first meeting of Krystynas from Bolesławiec County took place on Wednesday, 13 March, at Restauracja Oleńka in the Old Town Market Square. So what is a Krystyna from Bolesławiec like?
She is a woman around 60 years old. Short. She has blue eyes with a hazel tint. She used to be a fair-haired blonde; today, she usually dyes her hair or leaves it naturally grey. Most often, she fulfills—or fulfilled—herself as a teacher. She may also be—or have been—a civil servant (a department head) or a businesswoman. Among the Kryś there is also a female member of parliament and a deputy mayor.
Her favourite colours are black, blue, white and violet—as can be seen in the way she dresses and decorates her interior. She most often spends her free time reading good books, travelling and playing sports. She loves animals, especially dogs and cats.
Her favourite dishes include Polish cuisine: traditional breaded pork cutlet, pierogi, cabbage rolls and tripe soup. Among sweets, chocolate comes first. Her beloved flowers are the classic rose and the forgotten carnation, as well as spring flowers—perhaps in anticipation of winter’s departure.
The women named Krysia are definitely local patriots. When asked about their beloved city, they all named Bolesławiec. Other cities also appeared—Wrocław and Kraków; among foreign cities, Venice and Barcelona.
The woman from Bolesławiec named Krystyna is connected with the Polish mountains and our sea. She would like to return, not only in her dreams, to Italy, Portugal, Spain and Mexico. She is ambitious and has been blessed with many talents. She has also acquired various skills. She is proud that she cooks and bakes excellently, is a good driver, embroiders and crochets. Her strengths include kindness, conscientiousness, diligence, punctuality, loyalty, creativity and optimism. She also admits to weaknesses: talkativeness, a lack of perseverance and a lack of self-control. She has many plans for the future—there is still much she would like to accomplish and achieve, such as learning a foreign language (English or Italian), creating an ideal garden and building a house.
Her greatest dreams involve travelling, including to exotic places, spending time with her family and overcoming her own weaknesses. Eighty percent of the Krystynas are extroverts (based on surveys conducted during Wednesday’s meeting).
The meeting was enhanced by a performance by a trio consisting of: Daniel „Lopez” Połeć (keyboards), Karolina Grodzicka (vocals) and Olaf Schweizer (cajón).
(information: KR/ii)