The festival will start on the 14th of August at 6:00 p.m. This time it will be devoted mainly to two historical epochs – the breakthrough period of the end of World War II and the first years of the afterwar period and the early Middle Ages.
Lost works of art
One day of the festival will be devoted not only to the topic of works of art lost during World War II, but also to almost detective stories of people who traced and recovered them. Among the lecturers there will be Jerzy Cera, who was one of the first explorers of underground complexes in the Owl Mountains, Professor Maciej Trzciński – an archaeologist and a criminologist, and Maciej Lange - an art historian and a customs officer who knows exactly how Polish art treasures are stolen by thieves trying to carry them abroad and how they are recovered.
Castle History Fair
Lessons for novice treasure hunters and learning to make mouldings in old style – these are only some of the attractions that you can expect during the Castle History Fair. They will be accompanied by stories of Lower Silesian art treasures: their loss, theft and restoration of their excellence. During lectures on castles and palaces, owners of historic buildings, conservators and museum experts will take the floor. Tourist values and biggest attractions of these properties will be presented, too.
Feel the climate of underground Poland
During historical shows, the audience will watch the most spectacular war operations involving the participation of „cursed soldiers” – the bravest of the brave, who fought and died for independent and free Poland till the very end. One of such operations was an attempt to assassinate the communist Marshal of Poland Konstanty Rokossowski during his visit to Lower Silesia. Also, one of the operations of the Zagra-Lin unit – a secret diversion group of the Polish Home Army – will be reconstructed. Shows will be prepared by professional teams of stunt men and reenactment experts.
How to become a ”silent unseen” soldier
This year’s special attraction of the Festival is the participation of former special forces soldiers, who will demonstrate the elements of training of soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces – the “Silent Unseen” troops and commando soldiers from the 1st Independent Parachute Brigade created by General Stanisław Sosabowski. It will be an excellent opportunity to meet, listen to and watch Krzysztof Przepiórka – one of the first soldiers of JW GROM, the commander of the assault group, a participant in anti–terrorist operations in the Middle East; he trained, among others, soldiers of the Polish-Ukrainian battalion before its departure to Kosovo. Apart from that, you can try your hand in zip-lining from one of the castle towers.
Slavic people: places of cult, battles and the Silesian Olympus
On the 16th of August, on a Sunday forenoon, you can feel the atmosphere of the early Middle Ages in the courtyard of the Książ Castle. We will tell you about holy sites of pagans and mysteries of old cults. Tents of Slavic rulers and a warriors’ camp will be set up in the courtyard. A mortal battle will be fought by the Piast Warriors Team "Jantar", which may be known to you from the film version of 'An Ancient Tale'. What else can you expect? Certainly a Slavic prophetess’ tent, delicacies of old Polish cuisine and stories of treasures hidden on the Ślęża summit, which is called the Silesian Olympus. In addition, Joanna Lamparska, whose foundation is the co-organiser of the Festival together with the Książ Castle in Wałbrzych, will promote her most recent book 'Ślęża dla odkrywców' ['Ślęża for Discoverers']. Films, exhibitions, books The cinema room of the Książ Castle will be open from Saturday morning till the end of the festival. The films and programs will include, for example, ‘Podróże w przeszłość>>'<< [‘Travels into the Past>>'<<] – a cycle prepared by Marcin Bradke and Cezary Buśko, and films about Silent Unseen soldiers and art treasures lost during World War II.
For more information, visit: www.festiwaltajemnic.pl
photos (archives of DRF)
