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Description
The aim of the Project drawn up by the Urban Commune of Bolesławiec, Poland in cooperation with the Telemark Museum in Porsgrunn, Norway and Museum of Ceramics in Bolesławiec, Poland is accession of two well-known ceramic centres -Bolesławiec and Porsgrunn - to one of the certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe: the European Route of Ceramics ("ERC"). Accession to the international network of cities with ceramic traditions will allow for extensive promotion of the activities included in the Project and active exchange of cultural offers. The Partners'' intention is to create instruments to promote and improve the cultural and tourist position of both centres based on the ERC''s potential. In order to create a space for international cooperation and take full advantage of the local potential in the field of ceramics, the unused historic Pückler''s mansion in Bolesławiec, now in poor technical condition, will be renovated to serve as the Museum of Ceramics'' new premises.
Within the infrastructure part of the Project, it was decided, among others, to adapt the ground and first floors as exhibition halls and educational rooms and to convert the attic into museum repositories and studios. The most important construction works will include: replacement of the roof sheathing and flashings, partial renovation of the wooden roof truss, replacement of windows, partition wall layout modification, remodelling the main staircase with a goods-passenger lift adapted for the disabled as well as conservational façade renovation to restore the original appearance of the historic building.
The new cultural and educational offer being developed jointly with the Norwegian Partner for implementation under the Project and within its duration period significantly expands the Museum of Ceramics'' scope of activity.
Summary of project results
The main goals of the project were to include 2 partner ceramic centres – Bolesławiec and Porsgrunn – in the European Ceramics Route and to create a modern centre, accessible to all stakeholders, carrying out tasks in the field of international cultural exchange and promoting Polish and Norwegian old and contemporary ceramics. The implementation of these tasks created the opportunity to meet the needs of both partners in the field of preserving and promoting ceramic traditions at the local, national and international level, expanding awareness of the history and culture of their own region in the local community and thus deepening the sense of belonging to the local community, self-development of recipients of the cultural offer and improving their skills and developing interests, improving the professional competences of people dealing with cultural heritage and ceramics on a daily basis, eliminating differences in access to culture of different groups of recipients, including facilitating access to cultural centres for people with disabilities and seniors by removing architectural barriers, and finally the need to counteract the phenomenon of degradation of cultural heritage by carrying out the revitalisation of the historic neo-Gothic palace in Bolesławiec.
The basic intention of the project was to include two partner ceramic centres – Bolesławiec and Porsgrunn – in the European Ceramics Route. Joining the international network of cities with ceramic traditions opened up opportunities for international cultural exchange and promotion of Polish and Norwegian ceramics, both old and contemporary. The new seat of the Ceramics Museum in Bolesławiec, organised as part of the project in a restored neo-Gothic palace, became a space for joint activities. In the revitalised historic building, 6 modernly arranged exhibitions were created, allowing visitors to get to know the ceramics of Bolesławiec in the context of local history and culture. This place also became a centre for a wide range of cultural activities on a European scale, aimed at popularising old and contemporary ceramics. During the project, the partners jointly carried out the following tasks in this area:
a) the exhibition “From Bolesławiec Clay” and the ceremonial accession to the European Ceramics Route;
b) presentation of Bolesławiec and Porsgrunn – new cities on the European Ceramic Route during Argillà Italia 2022 in Faenza and an exhibition of ceramics from Bolesławiec and porcelain from Porsgrunn;
c) conducting interviews with people involved in ceramic production;
d) the exhibition “Painted with a Stamp and a Brush” and artistic and cultural activities in Porsgrunn;
e) the exhibition “European Ceramic Route. Norwegian Porcelain – Porsgrunn” and artistic and cultural activities accompanying the exhibition;
f) the exhibition “European Ceramic Route. Italian Faience – Faenza, Deruta”;
g) a series of manual classes for people with disabilities in the area of creating and decorating ceramics;
h) a series of ceramic workshops for children and young people;
i) a series of ceramic decorating workshops inspired by local cultural heritage combined with interactive activities presenting the history of the city;
j) a series of workshops, shows and lectures on topics related to Norwegian culture;
k) expansion of the European Ceramics Route website
l) creation of a "virtual museum" on the European Ceramics Route website;
m) training on the principles of creating a modern exhibition and educational offer by museums and the functioning of Norwegian museums;
n) training on cooperation between the business and cultural sectors;
o) training on the functioning of the European Ceramics Route;
p) training on the management and functioning of museums;
r) training on designing in the ceramics industry using modern graphic tools and 3D modelling programs;
s) publishing a brochure promoting the centres on the European Ceramics Route in three language versions; s) conducting a multi-directional promotional campaign for the project and its results in various types of media (television, radio, press, internet) and with different reach (nationwide, regional, local).
As a result of the project implementation, all intended results were achieved, in many points exceeding the planned indicators. After the inclusion of both partner centers in the European Ceramics Route, a full revitalization of the historic neo-Gothic Pückler Palace in Bolesławiec was carried out, designating it as the new seat of the Ceramics Museum (by the end of 2024, the facility had been visited by 106,420 people). As a result of the cooperation of the beneficiaries and using the new infrastructure, 17 cultural activities of national or international scope were organized and 5 vocational training courses were conducted, in which a total of 196 people took part. As a result of the project, 3 jobs were created in the amount of 3 full-time positions. The income from the project by the end of 2024 amounted to PLN 107,622.36. The inclusion of Bolesławiec and Porsgrunn in the European Ceramics Route gave both centres the opportunity to intensively develop cooperation in the field of multidimensional promotion of their cultural heritage - ceramics in Europe as part of network cooperation with ESC centres. This translates into an increase in tourist traffic, focused on learning about local history and cultural heritage, as well as an increase in sales and export of contemporary ceramic products - Bolesławiec ceramics and porcelain from Porsgrunn. The project enriched the cultural offer of both partners with international events, which is a benefit for recipients of culture in local communities. By removing architectural barriers in the revitalized monument, it also improved access to culture for groups at risk of exclusion - people with disabilities and seniors.
Summary of bilateral results
The main objective of the project was to include 2 partner ceramic centres – Bolesławiec and Porsgrunn – in the European Ceramics Route. Joining the international network of cities with ceramic traditions opened up opportunities for international cultural exchange and promotion of Polish and Norwegian ceramics, both old and contemporary. The new seat of the Ceramics Museum in Bolesławiec, renovated as part of the project in a neo-Gothic palace, became a space for international cooperation. In the revitalised historic building, 6 modernly arranged exhibitions were created, allowing to get to know the ceramics of Bolesławiec in the context of local history and culture. This place also became a centre for a wide range of cultural activities on a European scale, aimed at popularising old and contemporary ceramics, from workshops, shows, training, through creating and distributing information materials in the media, to publishing publications and organising international exhibitions and cultural events. During the project, the partners jointly implemented over 20 activities of this type, others are being implemented as part of the project''s sustainability.