Our town, Bolesławiec is situated in the Bóbr Valley in the Lower Silesia Province in southwestern Poland, very close to Poland's borders with the Czech Republic and Germany. The town lies at the gates of the magnificent and huge Lower Silesian Coniferous Forests and it is one of the finest in the region. Boleslawiec was the last northernmost town of both the Duchy of Świdnica and Jawor, and later Bohemia. Unquestionably, this location had a considerable influence on the autonomy of the town's actions which meant less interference of rulers in the internal matters of Boleslawiec than was the case with other towns. The location of the town has also had influence on traditions, folk costumes, music and even the language. Since the Middle Ages, the town has been famous of its ceramics. Its stoneware is renowned almost across the globe. Nowadays, in Boleslawiec, which is also called the Ceramics City, there are more than twenty pottery factories. Every year, in the last weekend of August, we celebrate the Bolesławiec Pottery Festival which attracts visitors from all over the world.
Bolesalwiec is really a multicultural town. After the Second World War, in 1945, people came here from many different places. The majority of the inhabitants are people from Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia, Ukraine, France, Greece, Germany, Lithuania, and various Polish regions. That has influenced our culture, customs, food, celebrations, etc. It can be said that in Boleslawiec you can find a half of Europe and this is true. The South Slavic Cultural Festival takes place every year in June in our town, as well as in neighbouring villages. During that event there are many performances, lectures, workshops, and exhibitions which showcase the culture and folklore of the Balkan countries. Since its inception in 1946, the Folk Group of Song and Dance 'Jutrzenka' has worked to cultivate the Balkan folk tradition which was brought to this area after the World War II.