Projects

The Municipality of Uniejów received grants for the realisation of activities connected with the commemoration, appreciation, and also safeguarding of the tradition of flower carpets for the Corpus Christi procession in Spycimierz.

The Corpus Christi tradition in Spycimierz – remembrance, and promotion

The project aimed to commemorate, appreciate and popularise the unique in Poland tradition of spreading flower carpets that accompanies the Corpus Christi celebrations in Spycimierz. The project served to strengthen the local cultural identity and to inspire further actions.

Within the framework of the project, the following tasks were carried out:

1. Research on the Spycimierz traditions related to the celebration of Corpus Christi in the archives of nearby cultural institutions, universities, but also with regionalists, lovers of the aforementioned traditions and the inhabitants of Spycimierz.
2. Publishing a photo album which was distributed in Poland and abroad. The publication served to popularise this tradition and show pride in Polish folk culture.
3. Organisation of workshops for local community leaders aimed at strengthening their commitment and inspiration for further creative activity. The workshops also had an integrating character for the local community. During the activities with the participation of prominent experts and delegates from the community, similar traditions were discussed, and a discussion was held on the further development of local traditions and the strengthening of intergenerational transmission.

Applicant: Municipal Public Library in Uniejów
Programme:  Culture – Interventions 2018 EtnoPolska
Total project value: 86 600 PLN
Amount of funding: 83 300 PLN
Implementation period: 30.09.2018 – 20.11.2018 r.

Co-financed by the National Centre for Culture within the framework of the Programme Culture-Interventions 2018. ethnoPolska

Corpus Christi procession with the tradition of floral carpets in Spycimierz – safeguarding and strengthening of tradition

The main objective was to prepare and develop recommendations for the safeguarding plan of the phenomenon “Corpus Christi procession with the tradition of flower carpets in Spycimierz”, which, by the decision of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, in 2018 was included in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

As part of the project, the following tasks were carried out:

1. Field research conducted in 2019-2020 by two research teams: an ethnographic one headed by Prof. Katarzyna Smyk and one on tourism and regional development, headed by Prof. Bogdan Włodarczyk from the University of Łódź. Their purpose was to draw up expert opinions and formulate initial recommendations. They provided the basis for the bearers to start work on a heritage safeguarding programme.
2. Searches of film archives, as well as film and photographic documentation of the phenomenon.
3. Organisation and implementation of workshops and social consultations. In the social dimension, the workshops were aimed at integrating the local community around the heritage, involving as many members of the community as possible in the planning and implementation of safeguarding activities, and strengthening the sense of the high value of their tradition. In the substantive dimension, it was about preparing the bearers to effectively implement, evaluate and update the plan for the safeguarding of this tradition. An important element of the project was the organisation of the third and fourth Spycimierz Seminar. This is a continuation of the international meetings on intangible cultural heritage in Poland and the world that started in 2018. The event is always attended by representatives of the bearers of the Spycimierz tradition.
4. Organisation of a study trip to the National Museum of Agriculture and Agro-Food Industry in Szreniawa.
5. Publication of “Corpus Christi procession with the tradition of flower carpets in Spycimierz. Report from research and recommendations to the safeguarding plan”.  The volume contains structured guidelines on how to work with them further, to whom they are addressed and to which partners it is worth turning with a request for help or a proposal for cooperation. The entire volume was discussed with residents during public consultations and workshops. The recommendations are preceded by the expertise of the authors, who conducted research in Spycimierz between 2018 and 2020 and participated in workshops organised by the bearers community.

Applicant: Municipal Public Library in Uniejów
Programme:  Folk and traditional culture
Total project value: 120 153 PLN
Amount of co-financing: 95 000 PLN
Implementation period: 2.04.2019 – 31.12.2020

Co-financed from the funds of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage coming from the Fund for Culture Promotion

Corpus Christi procession with the tradition of floral carpets in Spycimierz in the context of the cultural and natural landscape

The main objective of the project is to develop and implement a pioneering programme for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage – the Corpus Christi procession with the tradition of flower carpets in Spycimierz in the context of the cultural and natural landscape. The second objective is to strengthen the potential of the inhabitants of Spycimierz – the bearers of tradition.

In the framework of the project, it is foreseen to carry out the following tasks in a participatory model with the decisive voice of the bearers:

1. Interdisciplinary ethnological, geographical, spatial, historical, and biological research
2. Publication of a report with expert opinions and recommendations for the holistic preservation of tradition.
3. Preparation of the bases of the content-related activities of the historical and cultural institution “Spycimierz Corpus Christi Centre”, with particular emphasis on the development of the bases of the educational offer, development of the assumptions of the sustainable tourism product
4. Building the foundations of the Community Archive of Spycimierz.

The pioneering character of the undertaking consists in the fact that the bearers together with experts invited to cooperate will form and implement the safeguarding measures of their intangible heritage in the context of the cultural and natural landscape of the closest vicinity of the Spycimierz parish. In terms of culture, history, and nature the landscape covers the area of the Uniejów commune and even goes beyond its administrative borders.

It fits in with the idea of sustainable development promoted by UNESCO and the Convention 2003 and with the strategic goals of the programme “Folk and traditional culture”, supporting cultural phenomena functioning on a supra-local level, building a platform for cooperation on a regional level. It is in line with the objectives set by the European Union in the Communication from the European Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the European Economic, and Social Committee, and the Committee of the Regions “Towards an integrated approach on cultural heritage in Europe”.

Applicant: Municipal Public Library in Uniejów
Programme:  Folk and traditional culture
Total project value: 131 250 PLN
Amount of co-financing: 105 000 PLN
Implementation period: 1.05.2021 – 31.12.2022

Co-financed from the funds of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage coming from the Fund for Culture Promotion