Unusual Sunday in Księży Młyn
On 13 June, the historic quarter was taken over by artists, creative entrepreneurs and hundreds of Łódź citizens who intended to spend the day enjoying the unusual atmosphere of creative commotion.
The event, organised exactly on the 25th anniversary of Council of Europe's establishing the title of the European Capital of Culture, was at the same time the official opening of the "Księży Młyn 2016" project - a social and artistic initiative whose aim is to transform the historic, post-inductrial quarter into a bustling creative district.
Księży Młyn, the 19th century complex of factory, residential and workers' buildings being a part of the manufacturer Karol Scheibler's empire, is an area extremely significant for the identity of Łódź. It is a witness of the past Łódź textile industry might and also a place of unusual potential which stands a chance of becoming a key element of restoring the Łódź image and making it into the European Capital of Culture. The chances for gaining the title will considerably increase if the city authorities invest in supporting the entrepreneurial spirit in the culture, creative economy development and citizens' creativity in general. 'Księży Młyn is a dream location for the development of a model creative quarter. Until 2016, we want to make it a proper venue for creative industries, artists, micro-companies and SMEs from the creative sector,' said Krzysztof Candrowicz, the Director of Łódź Art Center, which is the operator of the Łódź European Capital of Culture bid.
During the picnic, everybody had a chance to see what Księży Młyn could look like if it became a quarter of artists and creative industries. On one day, several thousand people visited the event. The picnic was a success not only for the fact that the weather was great but most of all because so many people visited the quarter. Both Księży Młyn residents and others, who came there often for the first time in their lives, were in great moods and pressed us really hard participating in all prepared attractions, said Maja Kudlińska from Łódź Art Centre.
The anniversary of the Melina Mercouri's European Capital of Culture initiative was celebrated in the tent where Łódź Art Centre and Fenomen Foundation representatives organized the Republic of Culture (Republika Kultury). Everybody who gave correct answers to questions related to the European Capital of Culture project could become a citizen of the artistic country. The most enchanting element of that day was the creative atmosphere permeating the entire district. Koci Szlak street was taken over by the exhibitors of the Łódź Creative Industry Works (Łódzkie Zakłady Przemysłu Twórczego) fair. Among unique trinkets, everyone could find something for themselves. The Fajne Chłopaki's stand was a real hit as you could print there an occasional Księży Młyn logo on a T-shirt. People queued for hours to get to the silk-screen painting machine. You could also show off your affection by carrying a bag saying „Kupuję tylko w sklepie u pani Bożenki" ("I only shop at Bożenka's"), which was available in a local shop managed by this very Ms Bożenka.
The picnic was an opportunity to root around the nooks and crannies of Księży Młyn and get familiar with its history and related tidbits. The Polish Society of Tourism and Sightseeing (Polskie Towarzystwo Turystyczno-Krajoznawcze) invited all cyclists for a a guided tour around all most important locations in the quarter. You could watch films related to the quarter and visit a photographic project created by Mike Silly and Paulina Berczynski which presented old photos of quarter's residents. The Księży Młyn publishing house operating in the former Karol Scheibler's factory shop building organized a Łódź book fair.
For the whole day, the entire Księży Młyn Street was virtually flooded by soap bubbles provided in copious amounts by the Eternity Group artists. Also, Elementary School no 29, which is located in the heart of the historical quarter, participated in the picnic by organizing a children's photography contest, auction of their works and sports games. The Topografie Association encouraged the participants to get fit as it organized the Urban Sports Mini Olympic Games. Participants could take part in such disciplines as: an urban orientation run, a game of boules, turbominigolf or a bottle caps race. The Ikona Gallery and Djembefolka (drum workshop) ensured some artistic delight. A delicious bite to grab was provided by the Owoce i Warzywa cafe-club and scouts from the 58th Łódź-Śródmieście Troop, who served nourishing pea soup.
'During these 8 hours, Księży Młyn was bustling with life, culture and fun. It is a really promising beginning for the "Księży Młyn 2016" initiative,' Maja Kudlińska summed up.
production: ONOFF MEDIA
WWW.LODZ2016.COM
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Record-breaking - Colourful Łódź / 19.02.2010 / Lodz 2016by LodzESK2016345 views
dzięki za wrzutkę...świetny film...sam jestem Łodzianinem z urodzenia...od 10 lat mieszkam w New York City...a Księzy Młyn znam jak własny palec....pozdro...
zapraszam na mój kanał....na muzyczne spacery po mieście...
ejerzyb 6 months ago