Ignacy Łukasiewicz is one of the prominent figures who are connected with our city. It was here that the inventor of the kerosene lamp ran a pharmacy, it was here that he established the first oil distillery, and it was here that he lived. To remember this outstanding figure, a day with Ignacy Lukasiewicz was organized on Saturday, September 24, as part of the “City is I” activity.

The event included an art workshop led by director Wieslaw Holdys, an artistic composition made with residents, and a screening of the TV film Obiektyw directed by Maciej Wojcik: “Łukasiewicz, the oilman romantic”. In addition, Jasło residents could receive a fruit tree seedling (there were cherries, cherries, apple trees to choose from), donated by PGNiG S.A., since it was Łukasiewicz who encouraged people to plant such trees along the roads.

The most important task of the event was to involve residents in joint activities and make them aware of what an extraordinary and beautiful history Jaslo has, and that the greatest potential of the city is precisely Jasło’s citizens – creative, enterprising and proud of their origin. Hence, on the market square one could take part in a series of activities.

The first of these was a joint painting of an artistic composition, conducted by the Regional Museum in Jasło. The idea was born out of the museum’s cooperation with Jaslo visual artist Piotr Bethlehem. A knowledge quiz on Łukasiewicz was also organized, with fruit trees as prizes.

Residents were also invited to participate in a three-day theater workshop, under the guidance of Wieslaw Holdys (theater director, theater scholar, founder of the Mumerus Theater in Cracow) conducted at the Jasielsk House of Culture. These classes introduced the participants to the figure of the famous inventor, and culminated in a street happening entitled “With Łukasiewicz we look for light”, presented in the Jasielsk market square, a few dozen meters from the place where Ignacy Łukasiewicz had his pharmacy.

  • We came to the conclusion that who Łukasiewicz is, everyone in Jaslo knows. And if he doesn’t know, it means he’s not from Jaslo. Therefore, we decided to focus on the era of Ignacy Łukasiewicz. It is an era of romance, conspiracies as well as great discoveries, so we tried to work on it. Oil extraction is a branch of mining, and like any branch of mining it creates its own mythology. Just as in coal mining we have the spirit of the treasurer, so here we also have ghosts. This era is also associated with the hard work of oil workers. You will see for yourself,” this is how Wieslaw Holdys, the director of the event, encouraged the audience to watch the happenings in the Jasielsk market square. Maze vendors, oilmen, ghosts, kerosene lamp or rumpus appeared in the Jasielsk market, interacting with passers-by encouraging them to take part in the event.

During Saturday’s event, prizes were also awarded to the winners of the “Jasło in the Year of Łukasiewicz” art contest. In the youngest age group, the first place went to Klara Piękoś, in the age group from 9 to 13 years triumphed Michal Slusarczyk, and the winner in the category from 14 to 18 years was Maksymilian Dranka.

The campaign was complemented by the National Reading of “Ballads and Romances” by Adam Mickiewicz on the occasion of the bicentennial of their publication, conducted by the City Public Library. “Romanticism” was read by: Elwira Musiałowicz – Czech, deputy mayor of Jaslo, Natalia Zaleśny – MBP volunteer, Anna Filip – MBP employee and Agata Koba – UMJ spokesperson. The poem “Maryla’s Barrow” was recited by Henryk Rak – chairman of the RMJ, Teresa Furmanek – Wnęk, Stanisława Czernik, Tytiana Malarz – residents of Jaslo, and Jaslo resident Zenon Gondek. Participants in the classes of the Youth Theater, operating at the Jasło Cultural Center, presented a performance of “Lilije” by Adam Mickiewicz.

The day with Ignacy Łukasiewicz ended with the screening of a film produced by Bogdan Adam Miszczak and directed by Maciej Wojcik: “Łukasiewicz, the Oilman Romantic,” which took place in the auditorium of the Jasielsk Cultural Center.

The project “City is I” was realized within the framework of the project “Jasło – my city, my home” funded by the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 and the state budget.

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