Instytucja Kultury województwa Małopolskiego

Jadwiga and Kazimierz Balon – teachers with a timeless mission

Students from the school in Gorzów presenting their artistic programme
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The story of the achievements of these two extraordinary teachers could be heard at the Primary School in Gorzów.

Jadwiga and Kazimierz Balon were teachers whose work was connected with Gorzów in a special way. Therefore, it is not surprising that teacher Katarzyna Białas-Szafraniec decided to present them to a wider audience. She organized the exhibition as part of the historical project entitled “Hear Forgotten Voices-the Fate of the Inhabitants of the Land of Oświęcim in the first half of the twentieth century.”

“During my work on the exhibition, I discovered this beautiful story. There are many different values that the protagonists passed on to the citizens of Gorzów and the people they helped, not only in terms of education, but also culturally,” said the exhibition creator when welcoming the guests.

The exhibition was officially opened by Father Augustyn Dziędziel, a pupil of the Balons, and Andrzej Saternus, Mayor of Chełmek.

The events from the history of the school were recalled by the students in a short artistic program. Maria Kramarczyk, who studies the history of education in the region, also addressed the audience. The Remembrance Museum of Land of Oświęcim Residents was represented by educators Joanna Cebulska and Anita Bury.

The exhibition consisted of two parts. Eight plaques were set up in the school garden which contained photocopies of photographs and documents as well as information about the professional activity of Jadwiga and Kazimierz Balon. Inside the building one could admire original documents and photographs.

The project entitled “Hear the Forgotten Voices-the Fate of the Inhabitants of the Land of Oświęcim in the First Half of the Twentieth Century,” was designed for teachers, employees of cultural institutions, day centres, libraries, and local historical societies in the Oświęcim area. The goal was to create a series of exhibitions presenting the fate of the inhabitants of this area. The event in Gorzów was the seventh in succession and the last. Previously prepared exhibitions could be seen in: District Complex No. 10 of Mikołaj Kopernik Mechanical and Electrical Schools in Kęty, Konarski High School in Oświęcim, the Municipal Centre for Culture, Sports and Recreation in Chełmek, District Complex no. 6 of Vocational and General Education Schools in Brzeszcze, the “Szklana” gallery of the Regional Cultural Centre in Zator (exhibition creators: from the Zator Land Lovers Society), and the Fireman’s House in Malec (creators: – Youth Team of the Volunteer Fire Department in Malec).

Students from the school in Gorzów presenting their artistic programme
Students from the school in Gorzów presenting their artistic programme
Guests participating in the exhibition opening
Guests participating in the exhibition opening
Part of the exhibition in the school garden
Ceremonial opening of the exhibition by Father Augustyn Dziędziel and Mayor of Chełmek Andrzej Saternus
Father Augustyn Dziędziel and Katarzyna Białas-Szafraniec, exhibition creator
Part of the exhibition at school
Exhibition at school
Part of the exhibition at school