For more than three decades, the event has transformed Bolesławiec's market square and surrounding streets each August into a sprawling showcase of hand-painted pottery, local craftsmanship and live music, drawing collectors, artists and tourists from Poland and abroad. Organizers say the number of visitors over the festival's run can reach into the hundreds of thousands, and this year is shaping up to be no exception.
Music is a major draw at this year's edition. Bosnian musician Goran Bregovic and his orchestra headline Saturday's lineup, which also features the band Svahy and a parade tied to the festival's official theme, "Out of Love for Clay, the Clay Theater Gives You Wings".
Earlier performances this week included sets from the Victory Brass Quintet and the Thunder Road Rock Band, and the closing day will bring additional concerts alongside hip-hop, oriental dance and breakdancing shows.
Hands-on activities have run throughout the week, including pottery-wheel demonstrations, clay workshops for children and adults, and sessions on crafting bookmarks from dried plants and eco-friendly bracelets. A historical quiz, "In the Footsteps of Bolesławiec Settlers", and an outdoor film screening rounded out Friday's schedule.
Sunday's closing day is packed with family and sporting events: a souvenir-magnet workshop, a beach volleyball tournament for the mayor's cup, a bicycle rally, the Bolesławiec Stair Run, and assorted contests and games.
Running in parallel with the entertainment schedule, from Friday through Sunday, is the ceramics fair itself along with an antiques market, where visitors can browse work by artists and craftspeople, meet designers, join pottery workshops and tour local ceramics studios. Food stalls and picnic areas are set up throughout the festival grounds.
(jh)
Source: Polish Radio, swietoceramiki.pl