Marek Kuchciński took part in the symbolic start of the construction of the Cross-Border Cultural Heritage Center in Ustrzyki Dolne. The aim of the Centre is to use the cultural-historical-natural potential of the border area and to increase its socio-economic potential. The activities of the Center will focus on transboundary Polish-Slovakian-Ukrainian cooperation.
The Center has a chance to be an important element integrating Podkarpacie. Educational activities, green schools, youth exchanges, free programs for schools, workshops, meetings, lectures, festivals and exhibitions will be organized for borderland citizens. It is also planned to cooperate with local farms, coordinate and initiate tourist activities, revitalize old crafts, collect cultural monuments, culinary and musical activities. There will also be applications for mobile devices.
The main components of the Cross Border Center will be:
- Bieszczadzkie Cultural Heritage Centre in Ustrzyki Dolne (overall coordination)
- Center for Cultural Heritage in Zagórze
- Slovak Cultural Heritage Centre in Medzileborce
- Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Center in Chyriv
Thematic scope of the planned activities of the Bieszczady Centre of Cultural Heritage:
- History of the Bieszczady Mountains from the angle of multiculturalism, multinational religious diversity
- Old Bieszczady occupations - School of Vanishing Professions
- Music - instruments, songs and dances
- Ethnography, magic of rituals and folk costumes of the inhabitants of the Bieszczady mountains
- Herbs in folk medicine of the Bieszczady mountains
- The role of the Polish element in organizing these lands (e.g., education, forestry, church)
- History of kerosene
- Aviation history
- History of the narrow-gauge railroad
The Cultural Heritage Center will create a space for entrepreneurs, creatives, tourism, and with Central Sports Centre will dramatically change the Bieszczady district.
