Wiesław Myśliwski - one of the most eminent Polish writers of the second half of the 20^th century, Honorary Citizen of the City of Starachowice (since 2020).

He was born on March 25, 1932, in Dwikozy in the Sandomierz region. Before the war, from 1935 to 1939, his parents lived in Starachowice. It was here that Wiesław Myśliwski began attending primary school. During the war, the Myśliwski family alternately lived in Starachowice and Dwikozy. He completed high school in Sandomierz in 1951. He continued his studies in Polish literature at the Catholic University of Lublin, graduating in 1956. In 1955, he started working at the People's Publishing Cooperative. From 1975 to 1990, he directed the quarterly magazine "Regiony."

He made his debut with the novel "Nagi sad" (1967); later, two more novels were created: "Pałac" (1970) and "Kamień na kamieniu" (1984) – works that are extremely important, closely related to the culture of peasants, addressing complex issues of contemporary identity. His fourth novel is "Widnokrąg" (1996), followed by "Traktat o łuskaniu fasoli" (2006), "Ostatnie rozdanie" (2013), and "Ucho Igielne" (2018).

The artistic legacy of the writer also includes dramatic works: "Złodziej" (1973), "Klucznik" (1978), "Drzewo" (1988), "Requiem dla gospodyni" (2000).

For two of his novels, the writer was twice awarded the Nike Literary Award (for "Widnokrąg" in 1997 and "Traktat o łuskaniu fasoli" in 2007). This outstanding prose writer has received numerous prestigious literary awards and distinctions, including the Władysław Reymont Literary Award, the Gdynia Literary Award, and the Golden Laurel of the Polish Culture Foundation. His works have been staged in theaters and adapted for Television Theater and Polish Radio Theater. Some of them have also been adapted into films: "Przez dziewięć mostów," "Pałac," "Klucznik," "Kamień na kamieniu."

He has received honorary doctorates from the Academy of Holy Cross in Kielce (May 17, 2007), Opole University (January 16, 2009), and Jagiellonian University (May 12, 2022).

Myśliwski's novels have been translated into several languages, including English, Spanish, German, French, Hebrew, Dutch, Lithuanian, Italian, Hungarian, Turkish, and others.

Krystyna Janda is an outstanding Polish film and theatre actress, film and theatre director, author of columns and "Journals," co-founder and president of the Krystyna Janda Foundation for Culture (since 20024). She became the artistic director of two Warsaw theatres established by her foundation: Teatr Polonia and Och-Teatr. She is one of the most well-known, respected, popular, and talented Polish actresses of the 20th and early 21st centuries, with a significant body of film and acting work. She has received numerous prestigious awards in Poland and abroad.

Born on December 19, 1952, in Starachowice, Krystyna Janda graduated from the State Secondary School of Fine Arts in Warsaw. She then pursued studies at the Warsaw Academy of Dramatic Arts (PWST), graduating with honours in 1975. During her studies, she made her debut on TV in the role of Masza in Chekhov's "Three Sisters" (1974). In the same year, she also made her first appearances on the theatre stage in two episodic roles.

Janda's film debut was as Agnieszka in Andrzej Wajda's "Man of Marble" (1976). In the following years, she delivered unforgettable performances in three other Wajda films: "Without Anesthesia" (1978), "The Conductor" (1979), and "Man of Iron" (1981). Her other notable film roles include works such as "Border" (1977), "Golem" (1979), "Dekalog II" (1988), "Interrogation" (1982), "Modrzejewska" (1989), "Reverse" (2009), "Sweet Rush" (2009), and "Sponsoring" (2011). Her filmography from 1976 to 2022 consists of 44 film roles.

She was an actress at Teatr Ateneum in Warsaw (1975-1987) and Teatr Powszechny in Warsaw (1987-2005), as well as at Teatr Polonia and Och-Teatr. Janda participated in numerous theatrical productions, including "Three Sisters," "Wedding," "Maria Callas," "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," "Mr. Jowialski," "Mothers and Sons," and "My Way."

In 1995, she made her debut as a film director with the adaptation of Anka Kowalska's novel "The Pip," in which she also played the lead role. She has directed numerous stage and television productions as well.

Since 1993, she has been involved in theatre directing, starting with the musical play "Painted on Glass" (1993, 2000, and 2004). She later directed works such as Witkacy's "Miss Twardowska" (1997), "Passion" (2005), "Tap Dance Lessons" (2005), "Leap from a Height" (2006), and others.

Among her many film roles, some have become permanently ingrained in the audience's memory, such as "Man of Iron," "Interrogation," "Life as a Fatal Sexually Transmitted Disease," and "Lovers of My Mother."

She is the author of numerous columns and several other works: "Stars Have Red Claws" (1988), "My Dear B." (2000), "Diary 200-2002" (2017), "Diary 2003-2004" (2017), "Diary 2005-2006" (2018), and "Diary 2007-2010" (2019).

She appeared in several European films (French, German). Her performances, including during the memorial concert for Agnieszka Osiecka (1997) and at the jubilee concert for Marek Grechuta (2002), showcased her qualities as a singing actress. She recorded several albums with songs, recitations, and book readings.

For her artistic work, Krystyna Janda has received many prestigious awards, including the Zbigniew Cybulski Award, the 1st-degree Award of the Minister of Culture and Art, the Golden Duck for the Most Popular Actress, the Golden Lions of Gdańsk, Telekamera, Telemaska, the Cavalry Cross of the French Republic, and the Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta.

Useful websites

https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krystyna_Janda

https://www.filmweb.pl/person/Krystyna+Janda-54/biography

https://janda.pl/content/13-krystyna-janda

https://filmpolski.pl/fp/index.php?osoba=111505

https://culture.pl/pl/tworca/krystyna-janda

https://film.wp.pl/krystyna-janda-6032123980477569c

Karolina Kominek-Skuratowicz is a representative of the younger generation of actors, a Polish theatre, television, and film actress. She was born on April 27, 1986, in Starachowice. She is a graduate of the II Secondary School in Starachowice and the State Higher School of Theatre in Krakow (PWST - 2008). She was professionally associated with the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Krakow, and she also collaborated with the Krakow Opera and the Stu Theatre in Krakow. Currently, she lives and works in Warsaw.

As a first-year student at PWST, she made her debut in the lead role of the Polish patriot Danuta Helena Sidzikówna, alias Inka, a legendary AK (Home Army) paramedic, in the TV production "Inka 1946" (2006). This role brought her popularity and critical acclaim.

Towards the end of her first year of studies, she also debuted on the stage of the PWST Theatre in Krakow in a play titled "Prorok Miłosierdzia" (The Prophet of Mercy), where, alongside outstanding actors from the Stary Theatre in Krakow, she played the main role of Saint Faustina. During her studies, she secured an engagement at the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Krakow. She performed in productions such as "Wedding" (2007), "A Whole Life of a Fool" (2007), "Dracula" (2008), "Macbeth," and "Love and Anger" (2009).

Her leading roles in feature films directed by Wilhelm Sasnal, an artist and filmmaker, brought her fame: "The Maggots" (2007), "Swineherds" (2008), and "Love Supreme" (2010), as well as the lead female role in the Polish-Slovak-Czech-Hungarian blockbuster "Flying Cyprian" (premiere 2010).

Selected theatre roles of Karolina Kominek include: 2002: "The Imaginary Invalid" by Molière – Ludwisia, 2007: "Wedding" by Stanisław Wyspiański – Haneczka, 2007: "A Whole Life of a Fool" – Janina, Bałucki's daughter, 2008: "Dracula" by Bram Stoker – Lucy, 2008: "The Good Person of Szechwan" by Bertolt Brecht – Shui Ta III, 2009: "Love and Anger" by John Osborne – Alison Porter.

Her roles in television theatre include: 2006: "Inka 1946" – Inka (Danuta Siedzikówna), 2006: "Woman from the Past" – Tina, 2008: "An Enemy of the People" – Petra, 2013: "Mrs. Hanka's Diary" – Leni.

Currently, she appears in numerous Polish films. Her selected roles in television series include:

2008: "For Better and For Worse," as Sylwia, 2011: "Warsaw Pact," as Kasia, 2012: "Doctors," as Irena, 2012: "Recipe for Life," as Kasia, 2013: "Without Secrets 3," as Dagmara, 2013: "Legal Mind," as Justyna, 2013: "Commissioner Alex," as Anna Małek, 2017: "Father Matthew," as Agata Walczak, 2019: "Colours of Happiness," as Mirka, 2019: "Echo of the Heart," as Małgorzata, 2020: "Don't Worry About Me," as Iwona, 2023: "Spy Bay," as Greta (premiere on January 7, 2024).

Useful websites:

https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karolina_Kominek

https://rozastanco.com/karolina-kominek/

https://film.wp.pl/karolina-kominek-skuratowicz-6030947531448961c

https://fdb.pl/osoba/306192-karolina-kominek

https://echodnia.eu/swietokrzyskie/inka-ze-starachowic/ar/8271766

Wiesława Pawelec is a graduate of a business school and holds a master's degree in pedagogy. She began her professional career in the publications department of the Truck Factory, where she managed the in-house radio station. She also worked in the editorial office of the company's newspaper, "Budujemy Samochody" (We Build Cars), and for a brief period, she worked in the Culture and Education Department of the City Hall. She served as the director of the Starachowice branch of the Regional Cultural Centre in Kielce. For many years, she was involved in organizing colourful and diverse cultural events in Starachowice and the entire district, including exhibitions of folk sculpture and regional art, recitation competitions, performances by amateur theatres, and meetings with interesting people known from the theatre and television. This work not only earned her respect but also a large circle of friends, including artists, whom she helped in various ways. In retirement, for many years, she actively participated in activities at the University of the Third Age. She was a member of the literary and philosophical section, co-organizing meetings and events. She also took part in the meetings of the Book Club for an extended period.

Aleksander Pawelec is an outstanding regionalist from Starachowice, journalist, editor, author of numerous press articles, and books about the city, with which he was associated for several decades of his productive life. He was granted the title of Honorary Citizen of the City of Starachowice (2014).

He was born and raised in Pilzno in the Rzeszów region. He is a graduate of the State Mechanical High School in Ropczyce. As a technician-mechanic, he came to Starachowice to work at the Truck Factory. He was connected with this plant for the majority of his professional life, working in various departments and at different positions. His personal connection with the weekly magazine "Budujemy Samochody" (We Build Cars) was particularly significant; he co-founded it and served as the editor-in-chief in the 1970s. He was also the initiator and co-founder of the Friends of Starachowice Society.

His journalistic work, as well as his previous position as the director of the Factory Cultural Centre and later work at the City Hall, allowed him to acquire extensive knowledge about the city and its residents, and to gather a large archive of photos, maps, and documents. For 25 years, he collaborated with "Tygodnik Starachowicki." From 1994 onwards, he regularly published articles on historical and social topics. The series "Z kart rodowodu" consisted of over 1,000 episodes. His books, including "Dziedzictwo Starzecha" (Starzech's Heritage), "Potomkowie Starzecha" (Starzech's Descendants), "Ze Starzechem w tle" (With Starzech in the Background), "Z młotami i kowadłem w herbie" (With Hammers and Anvils in the Crest), "W Starachowicach i okolicy" (In Starachowice and Its Vicinity), and "Starachowice z przekazów i autopsji" (Starachowice from Narratives and Autopsies), have also gained significant popularity. (Scans of selected publications' covers by the author are presented below.)

HELIOS CINEMA AT GALARDIA SHOPPING MALL
Address: 14 Ks. Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego Street, 27-200 Starachowice
Telephone: 41 262 97 05
Fax:41 252 72 06
e-mail:starachowice@helios.pl
Information:
individual: 41 273 11 22
group: 41 273 17 73
Useful links:
https://www.helios.pl/44,Starachowice/OpisKina/
helios.pl/44,Starachowice/Repertuar/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9fC_pIecgwMVbopoCR3tSg6bEAAYASAAEgIa0PD_BwE
https://www.helios.pl/44,Starachowice/OpisKina/

KULTURA CINEMA
Address: Culture Park in Starachowice
21 Radomska Street
27-200 Starachowice
Telephone: +48 41 274 65 25
Fax: +48 41 274 61 10
Box office telephone number: +48 41 274 25 68
e-mail: biuro@parkkultury.eu
Useful links:
https://kino.starachowice.eu/
https://parkkultury.starachowice.eu/regulamin-i-cennik/
https://parkkultury.starachowice.eu/kontakt/

Address:

5 Kochanowskiego Street  27-200 Starachowice

tel. /fax.   41-274-20-76

https://e-mbp.pl/kontakt/

https://e-mbp.pl/zbiory/

https://e-mbp.pl/kategoria/galeria/

General description of the library

The City Public Library in Starachowice named after Adolf Dygasiński (hereinafter referred to as MBP) was established at the initiative of the city residents by the resolution of the Municipal National Council in Starachowice-Wierzbnik in 1947. The opening of this first library facility took place on May 1, 1948. At that time, it had 400 volumes, which were gifts from the residents.

The dynamic development of the library network in Starachowice occurred in the 1960s-1970s. The library had 8 branches and 4 library points. In 1990, due to subsequent administrative changes in Poland, the Starachowice library became a self-government institution.

Over the course of several years, it changed its location, with branches and library points being closed. Since 1996, there has been a slow stabilization of the localization and the number of volumes of the City Library network.

The library includes:

• Main Library (adult lending with a technical collection, scientific reading room with a rich regional collection and an internet reading room, Collection and Processing Department, Information Technology and Promotion Department, Financial and Administrative Department, MBP "Reflex" exhibition hall).
• 6 library branches (including branches for children, and for children and youth).

The library's collections consist of over 74,000 copies.

MBP's priority actions in Starachowice always focus on promoting reading: book promotions (reading literary works); concerts (biographies of composers, performers, music guides); exhibitions (albums of painting and photography), lectures (historical books, etc.). The library hosts numerous author meetings allowing people to get acquainted with the work of writers and artists (vernissages), lectures, and library lessons.

Selected photographs from author meetings, including those with Maciej Siembieda, Katarzyna Zdanowicz, Marek Zagrobelny, concerts, art exhibition openings, literary and artistic activities, serve as a modest illustration of cultural initiatives undertaken by the library staff. Photos from events organized at the library can be seen below

Address:

1 Wielkopiecowa Street
27-200 Starachowice

The main entrance to the Museum is located at 95 Marszałka Piłsudskiego Street (parking in front of the entrance).

For people with limited mobility, there is the option to enter the Museum from the side of 1 Wielkopiecowa Street.

Information and reservations

Tel. 41 275 40 83
783 730 094

E-mail

mpt@ekomuzeum.pl

Useful links:

htpps://ekomuzeum.pl

https://ekomuzeum.pl/o-muzeum/#o-nas

https://ekomuzeum.pl/o-muzeum/#wystawy-stale

 

The Museum of Nature and Technology is an important museum in Starachowice. It was established in the city in the 21^st century by the decision of the Starachowice County Council on January 1, 2001. On an area of ​​8 hectares, the facilities of two blast furnaces were located, illustrating the development of 19^th-century metallurgy and iron industry in the Kielce region. The older of the two furnaces was put into use in 1841, while the younger one was operational from 1899.

The historic monuments include a railway viaduct used to deliver raw materials to the plant through warehouse boxes, a water tower, and a coke-fired blast furnace. A steam engine is also present. A highlight for visitors is the collection of historic vehicles produced by the Star Truck Factory in Starachowice, including the Star 20 and the off-road vehicle Star 266 R, which participated in the 1988 Paris-Dakar Rally. Additionally, there are remnants of the original papa-mobile produced on the chassis of Star 660 M2.

In relation to the world of nature, both ancient and contemporary, a paleontological exhibition is organized in the historic Kotłownia Cinema. The exhibition includes a collection of fossils, animal tracks from over 200 million years ago in the Holy Cross Mountains, reconstructed animals, and life-size models of amphibians and reptiles. The presentation also features a reconstructed settlement from the beginning of our era (Archeopark).

The Museum of Nature and Technology hosts several permanent exhibitions, including the blast furnace from 1841, the blast furnace from 1899, iron ore mining, automotive technology, palaeontology, Archeopark: Settlement of ancient iron smelting, and various temporary exhibitions.

Educational programs conducted at the Museum of Nature and Technology in Starachowice include:

• The Lost World of Our Earth
• Owl
• Monks and Founders
• From Slavs to Poles
• Iron Roots

Początek formularza

Dół formularza

For more information see: https://ekomuzeum.pl/o-muzeum/#wystawy-stale

Address:
21 Radomska Street
27-200 Starachowice

Telephone: +48 41 274 65 25
fax: +48 41 274 61 10

Useful links:

https://parkkultury.starachowice.eu/

The Park of Culture in Starachowice is a municipal cultural institution of the City and Municipality of Starachowice. It stands out due to its beautiful location in the city's space on a slope near the park and against the backdrop of park-like forest greenery. The current building of the Park of Culture (formerly the Plant Cultural Centre, Starachowice Cultural Centre) was constructed according to the pre-war architectural design from 1938. After World War II, in 1947, the Starachowice Plants continued the construction of the building, which survived the war in an unfinished state. The ceremonial opening of the institution under the name Plant Cultural Centre took place on May 1, 1950. The patronage of this cultural institution was held by the Starachowice Plant (later the Heavy Trucks Factory "Star").

The Park of Culture carries out its statutory activities by organizing artistic, social, and cultural events, as well as providing artistic education. Currently, various groups, workshops, and ensembles operate in the Park of Culture, including music and vocal workshops such as the Guitar School of Rock, rock bands, guitar ensemble, vocal ensemble "WiWaldi," Vocal Song Studio, and Choral School. There is also a photographic studio, the Dance and Staging Ensemble "Plejada," the Musical Theater "Starachowianie" over the Kamienna River, and a sculpting school (during the summer and winter breaks). Visitors can learn to play the acoustic guitar, keyboard, and drums.

The Park of Culture is also the publisher of the monthly magazine "Starachowice. Good Address." It is an institution that serves the residents well, enabling them to participate in the city's cultural life in various dimensions.