Blacksmith, weaver, potter – this is again a hit competition

Who, where and why want to do them? The Bieliny commune in the Kielce poviat had to organize a casting, because there were more people willing to learn old professions than there were places at the workshops. Why do people want to work in old professions?

Representatives of old professions work in a medieval settlement: honey hunters, herbalists, weavers, carpenters, and blacksmiths. – Already after the first season we realized that we do not have enough people – says Anna Łubek, head of the Center for Culture and Tradition in Bieliny.

The interest in visiting the settlement, which after all consists in participating in activities, in telling about them, is very great. It turns out we lack artisans. More carpenters, weavers, herbalists who would complement those who are already working or replace those who, for various reasons, quit working with us.

The community wrote a project and got money to train more craftsmen. The offer to acquire such a profession was made to all unemployed inhabitants of the commune. The interest was greater than the number of seats. – That is why we organized the casting – says Anna Łubek. Those who work in the settlement acted as members of the commission.

Who came to the casting?

They were mainly people who are already connected with the settlement. Halina Kowalczyk cleans up the commune and the settlement, everyone knows her very well. “I’d like to learn weaving,” she said. Ms Halina is full of good intentions and when asked about her availability, she stated that she can work around the clock:
– I only need three hours a night. Such work is a nice detachment from reality, a transfer to other times. And work in the open air – she answered the question about the reasons for applying.

A real witch also appeared at the casting – Elżbieta Danwoska plays this role during field games. He studies internal security at the University of Economics in Kielce, now he will work at the ticket office in the Świętokrzyski National Park for several months. – But working in the village is the opportunity to earn extra money during the holidays and to do whatever you like – explains the witch Heksa, ready to learn how to make pots.

Krzysztof Kałuża, a blacksmith, has already worked in the settlement. – I was there every day helping my friend, but now I want to learn myself – he says. Mirosław Kolbus wants to become a shoemaker. He also helped with the settlement and knows it’s fun there. Bogusław Kot also wants to work in the historic village, he is interested in carpentry. – I live five houses away, close to my mother and I can do a lot of things – he says.

Ladies definitely prefer women’s games

The most popular are weaving and making pots. Violetta Gawęcka wants to learn this and Natalia Jarząbek is thinking of becoming a herbalist. Krzysztof Michalski, a graduate of the electrical technical school, became interested in beekeeping. – Grandpa had an apiary and although I didn’t work with bees, maybe I’ll learn now.
Henryka Pawlik was pushed to the casting by my daughter. – My grandfather made wicker baskets, maybe I will learn too. There would be a change from working in the field.
Magda Szczykutowicz, who was encouraged to apply by her husband, also thinks about wicker. – I am new in the commune and thanks to such activities I will get to know more people – she explains. Since I am an occupational therapist, I choose wicker. The clay is a dirty job though.

However, it is work in clay that Małgorzata Gawęcka encourages by her daughter, who takes part in field games, playing various characters: elves, witches.
Justyna Iwan thought that such work could be reconciled with caring for a small child. – I dealt with handicrafts, I made jewelry, so pottery seems the most interesting to me – she said.
The Commission listened attentively to all interested parties. – We encouraged people to choose two competitions, in the season there are unexpected substitutions and then a man who knows more is very valuable – says Anna Łubek. There was no need to give up on anyone. – After learning about the working conditions and the fact that it was not a full-time job, two people resigned. There were 14 places, but in this situation we will train 17 people. The workshops will start next week so that at the beginning of May, when the settlement starts, everyone is ready – adds Anna Łubek.