In the year 2010 the Association “Rybnik - Europe” managed to do: (Collective report of German and French section.)
From 17th to 21st June 2010 took place third edition of Days of Rybnik. All the cultural and recreational events were held all over town. The programme featured attractions like: rock and classical concerts, Silesian fair, parades of Rybnik’s districts and many more. The organisers and coordinators of the celebration were Rybnik and its institutions. Our Association organised a programme and a stay for overseas delegations from twin towns. To Rybnik came 150 people from many countries in Europe. The delegation from Mazamet was conducted by mayor Laurent Bonneville, from Liévin by deputy mayor Daniel Dernoncourt, from Dorsten by deputy mayor Heinz Denniger, from Eurasburg by mayor Michael Bromberger, from Larissa by Lena Ksenopoulou, from Newtownabbey by deputy mayor Vera McWilliam, from Karviná by deputy mayor Dalibor Zavacky, from Bar by mayor Leonid Wojtowicz, from Ivano-Frankivsk by deputy mayor Jarosław Jaczyszyn, from Topoľčany by mayor Peter Baláz. Unfortunately delegation from Vilnius District Municipality (Lithuania) and Saint-Vallier (France) couldn't take part in celebrations. Members of official delegations from Germany, France, Northern Ireland, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Greece had their own programme: the presentation of all delegations took place in “Szkoła Szafranków” (18.06), our guests visited Rybnik, saw the most important investments in the city (19.06), also they visited Brewery in Tychy (20.06) and participated with citizens in Days of Rybnik. Moreover, they mainly participated in the part which was prepared by our Association in the project called „Silesian Rybnik Invites – śląski Rybnik zaprasza europejskich przyjaciół”.
Brass bands from Dorsten, Eurasburg, Larissa and Liévin participated in XIX International Brass Band Festival “Golden Lyre”. In Rybnik and other cities of Silesia performed 19 brass bands but in the competition participated 10 of them - from Germany (2), France, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Greece, Hungary and Poland. The winner was the Brass Band from Hungary “Keil Erno”. Also, 22 teams took part in Majorettes Contest called “Otwarty Międzynarodowy Puchar Polski Mażoretek”. The prizes - Grand Prix and “Puchar ministra kultury i dziedzictwa narodowego” in older group won Dance Team “Uśmiech” from Tworków, in younger group won majorettes “Michelle” from Karviná and their older friends from the same town won second place. Majorettes “Astra” from Niedobczyce also succeeded, they won second place in younger group. The event was initiated by Marian Wolny. Foreperson of the Jury prof. Alojzy Kopoczek mentioned that the competition was on a high level.
Official delegations participated in programme which was prepared by our Association: on the 18th June (12:00 pm) was open an art exhibition in Rybnickie Centrum Kultury. Participants could admire oils miniatures inspired by “Munich School” and created by Peter Luger, delicate watercolor paintings by Lilo Weber and paintings related to medieval art of illumination by Klaus Dieter Kohler. Peter Luger opened the exhibition and was accompanied by the president Adam Fudali, mayor Michael Bromberg and the chairwoman Rosemarie Tröscher from Eurasburg. The exhibition was closed on the 28th June 2010.
On the 18th June we held a debate called “Poverty in united Europe of the 21st century - fact or myth?”. In the debate participated delegations from Dorsten - vice mayor Heine Denniger, chairman of the association “Koło Przyjaciół Rybnika” Hans Joachim Thelen; from Eurasburg - mayor Michael Bromberg and chairwoman of the association Rosemarie Tröscher, from Mazamet - mayor Laurent Bonneville and chairman of the association Jacques Beaulieu and from Rybnik - the chairman of the association Roman Widerski and coordinator - Arkadiusz Skowron as well as attendants and translators from our Association. The debate was held in French. It was said that in all countries exist disproportions and poverty even in ones which are considered rich. Debaters shared their experiences and ideas how to solve the problem. After the debate all participants were invited to sign a partner agreement between our Association and counterpart association from France. Documents were signed by chairman of Association “Rybnik-Europe” Roman Widerski and Jacques Beaulieu from Mazamet and vice mayor Liévin Daniel Dernoncourt. The signing was accompanied by the president Adam Fudali and mayor from Mazamet Laurent Bonneville. This ceremony was closed with International Integration Evening which took place in building of Cech Rzemiosł Różnych. In the integration participated 250 people including official delegations, members of brass bands, Rybnik’s authorities and members of the Association “Rybnik-Europe”. On the following day the president invited all the guest to sightsee Rybnik and explore the most important investments in our city. On sunday 20th June some guests went on a trip to The Tyskie Brewing Museum. Participants were divided in language groups (French, German, English, Russian).
(The report made by Mariola Komare and Katarzyna Jarska.)