The Pageant of a 750-year-old History

In 2001, Bolesławiec, one of the most picturesque cities of the Lower Silesia region, celebrates the jubilee of its 750-years old history. A rich jubilee program has been prepared for the whole year, and May and August will see the culmination of the ceremonies.
 During the Festival of Bolesławiec (May 25-27) a number of events referring to past and present times in the city will be held.
 A "Pageant of History" parade that will run through the streets of Bolesławiec is one of the celebration's main events. The parade will feature highlights of the city's long history. It will be led by three men with the name of Bolesław: Bolesław Chrobry, Wysoki and Rogatka, as even today researchers argue about which one of the three granted Bolesławiec its town charter.
 Next, a castellan with his entourage will march accompanied by representatives of three social groups to which the town owes the granting of its charter (the first record of the town being granted a charter dates back to 1251).

 Together with the castellan, gold miners, merchants and brewers will be among the parade-goers.  Thanks to the brewers, Bolesławiec became famous for its splendid beer, which was even subject to ransom imposed on the town by armies laying siege to it.
 Also among the participants of the parade will be representatives of medieval Boles ławiec: the mayor Mikołaj Broda, town councilors, a writer, an executioner, and representatives of various trades, including ceramics, which has made the town famous worldwide.
 Moreover, a Bohemian king, Ferdinand, will take part in the pageant. The king with a golden mug made a pilgrimage to the Żywe Źródło (Live Spring) in Bolesławiec, which is famous for its miraculous power. Thanks to the water from the Spring, Bolesławiec was one of the first cities in medieval Europe to have had a water and sewerage system.
 Famous personalities from scientific, cultural and artistic circles, led by Martin Optiz, who was the most famous resident of Bolesławiec, a German poet, historiographer and courtier of the Polish king Władysław IV Waza, will also be represented in the pageant.

 Last but not least, Italian artists who were of merit to the town, actors from the local theater, and the creator of world largest pot, master Joppe, and famous personalities from the Napoleonic times, including Napoleon and field marshal Kutuzov, who died in Bolesławiec, will be among those marching in the parade.
 Members of various communities, who immigrated to Bolesławiec from Eastern Poland, Yugoslavia, France and other countries will represent the history of the town after 1945. What is more, the members of the present-day City Council and City Office and associations seated in Bolesław will march in the parade.
 Among other events, accompanying the pageant will be a live game of chess and a tournament of knights. In the evening, a Light and Sound performance devoted to the history of the city will be staged. Among other exciting events will be opening of a ball on the town hall's tower.
 In August, the 37th International Outdoor Exhibition of Ceramic, "Blues on the Bóbr River' and the Festival of Ceramics accompanied by a ceramic fair and numerous performances will be staged in Bolesławiec.
 The 750-anniversary celebrations will also include a scientific session devoted to the history of the town, which will be held in October.
 In Bolesławiec, every resident and visitor to the town will find something for themselves, since in addition to the events mentioned above, numerous sports competitions, family fairs and concerts will be staged throughout the year.
 We hope that the rich jubilee program will attract many visitors to our city.