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Description
The project will be implemented as part of the Culture Program, activities Improving cultural heritage management, sub-measure 1.1
Restoration and revitalization of cultural heritage. The project involves the modernization and renovation of buildings (Carriage house,
former post office, stalls) included in the historic urban complex of the historical center of Raszyn from the 18th and 19th centuries
according to the design by Bogumił Zug, excluding the main building called Austeria, for which the municipality received funding in
2017.The project will enable experts to cooperate in the PROGRAM OF CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL
ACTIVITIES FOR 2020-2024, in the established in the Raszyn NANSEN CENTER FOR INTEGRATION AND DIALOGUE.
The headquarter of the Center will have place in the restored historic Austeria complex, where the Jewish community settled in the
18th century (this complex includes the main building - storied, merchants'' stalls in which Jews were trading, a post office, a
stable and a carriage house). On May 14, 1784, the Grand Marshal of the Crown issued a regulation on the expulsion of Jews from
Warsaw. Jews from Warsaw had the right to settle in this part of Raszyn. This task contributed to the increasement of knowledge
about Jewish cultural heritage.
The result of this program will be close cooperation of experts from Poland and Norway: office of the municipality in Raszyn and the Foundation for Dialogue in Warsaw - Polish side and on the Norwegian side: the Nansen Academy in Lillehammer and Høyskole Kristiania from Oslo.
Summary of project results
The Raszyn Commune is currently the largest concentration of foreigners in Poland (they constitute 6% of all the Commune''s residents, while in the rest of Warsaw, for example, their percentage is 1.3%). It also has a rich history "contained in the monuments located on its territory", which require large financial outlays to restore them to their former glory. The decaying urban and historical centre of Raszyn required particularly urgent intervention. The lack of intervention in the infrastructural sphere may threaten the progressive degradation of the buildings, which was demonstrated in the technical expertise concerning the preservation of the monument. At the same time, the Commune was faced with the need to create a Centre for Social and Cultural Integration, which could be used by the entire community of the communes, including the national minority.
The possibility of implementing the project using both its own funds and, to a large extent, the financial resources at the disposal of external institutions, such as MKIDN and EOG, motivated the commune to undertake the effort of its implementation. As part of the project, the buildings of the former post office, coach house and stalls were restored, designating them as a centre for socio-cultural integration. The whole is complemented by a newly built pavilion, which is distinctive in form and material: a flat roof, walls and glass covering. The centre is fully adapted to the needs of disabled people. During the implementation, workshops, exhibitions, meetings, as well as conferences with the participation of residents of the commune were held. A theatre play was also performed. The co-organisers of these events were also the project partners, i.e. the Foundation for Dialogue, Nansenskolen Humanistic Academy from Lillehammer and Høyskole Kristiania from Oslo.
As a result of the project, the complex of buildings in the historic center of Raszyn was restored and given a new function. A Center for Social and Cultural Integration was created there. A new place with an attractive and modern cultural offer appeared on the cultural map of the commune, allowing for increased participation of society in culture. The cultural offer of the commune was expanded to include educational and workshop offers aimed at people who are excluded or at risk of social exclusion, children and youth, older residents, as well as national minorities who are increasingly actively participating in the life of the commune.
Summary of bilateral results
The project included, among others: dialogue workshops of both local and supra-local scope, conducted in Polish and English for minorities living in the commune, as well as for teachers, volunteers, the local community, parents, and students, artistic and cultural education workshops;, innovative visual communication and new media workshops, exhibitions in the renovated exhibition space of Austeria, joint museum lessons for school youth and the local community, theater workshops for youth and seniors;English lessons,3D camera operation workshops.The “soft actions” program was based on interaction and dialogue, which are inherently engaging and encourage active participation.From January 2021 to April 2024, the Raszyn Commune, in cooperation with its partners—the Polish Foundation for Dialogue, the Norwegian Nansen Humanistic Academy in Lillehammer (The Nansen Humanistic Academy), and the Norwegian Kristiania University College in Oslo (Høyskole Kristiania)—carried out initiatives to improve access to art and culture in both countries.Project participants worked together to enhance the flow of information between Poland and Norway and to showcase the cultural heritage of both nations. The Raszyn Commune has made a small but meaningful contribution to strengthening Polish-Norwegian relations and that the attractive and modern cultural and educational offerings in the restored buildings have led to new connections, engaging meetings, and many inspiring projects.