“Dying professions” ethnographic workshops

It is a perfect way to spend a weekend with your family and – all in one place – learn about things considered to be exceptional and meet dozens of creators, representing multitude of styles and personalities, who use their art to express themselves. Their skills, persistence, precision and optimism are unparalleled. The new editions of the “Dying professions” workshops make us believe that the main goal – the transfer of vanishing skills and knowledge from the old generations to the new – will be successfully accomplished, in part because of us.

The event is based on various workshops, during which the participants can learn different techniques and skills, such as paper cut-outs design, wicker or root basket weaving, rolling flowers out of tissue paper, making plates and bowls on a potter’s wheel, sewing, crocheting, sculpting and many others. The teachers are Kurpian artists from the region of the White and Green Forest – representatives and practitioners of the old methods.

The first edition of the workshops took place in 2001 in Zagroda Kurpiowska, gathering approx. 1200 visitors, mostly school children from ostrołęcki District. Such a high level of interest only confirmed the proper heading and became a driving force to expand upon the project’s formula. A didactic element was introduced, which gave both the youth and the adults the opportunity to acquire skills usable on the job market as an alternative income source. Currently, the workshops have a theme, which is changed every year, and the number of participants and visitors grows significantly – currently, during the 3-days long workshops, Zagroda Kurpiowska is visited by almost 3000 visitors.

As we can read on the website of the project, “From the ethnographical standpoint, the Kurpie region is considered to be one of the richest and most interesting regions in Poland.” The region is also very distinct, with well-preserved and strongly manifested local culture – through taking up handicrafts and art, costumes, attachment to the Kurpian cuisine and regional dishes, Kurpian celebrations and strong identity. The local communities have begun to appreciate their roots. One could say that the Kurpian culture – just like Łowicz and Podhale cultures – still remains strong in the country.

Various arts are still pretty much alive in the Kurpie region, especially ceremonial arts (bouquets for the “sacred corner”, Easter palms, Christmas decorations), but also cut-out design, lacemaking and sculpture, and in the recent years a growth of interest in folk costumes was observed. The folklore movement is strong, regional bands and Country Women’s Associations, and there are experts in Kurpian stories and monologues, the so-called Kurpian gadka – the region is a real cultural centre. However, to preserve all that creativity, we need to promote it, lest the unpopular occupations and skills are not passed to the youngest generations and fade into obscurity. This is why the Kurpian Branch of the Folk Creators Association in Ostrołęka, with the initiator, Czesława Kaczyńska, who is also the director of Kurpian Artists, has developed and is carrying out the project of ethnographical workshops “Dying professions”. They provide an opportunity to learn forgotten techniques of creating folk arts and crafts and to promote traditional occupations, such as linen processing, beekeeping or preparation of traditional food. Such a project is unparalleled in Poland.