Last Sunday, the Jasielski Dom Kultury was filled with the aroma of cocoa beans and exquisite chocolate. It comes as no surprise, then, that so many residents of Jasło chose to join the celebration of Chocolate Day, which is observed annually on April 12. The event program, in addition to chocolate workshops and tastings, also featured activities for children, engaging lectures, author meetings, and a family film screening. It was also a perfect opportunity to discover Switzerland – its culture and traditions, as well as the country renowned for its breathtaking landscapes.
Sweet workshops
The highlight of the program was the chocolate workshops combined with tastings of chocolate in its many forms. Under the guidance of experts – true masters of their craft – participants were able to follow the entire chocolate-making process, from cocoa bean to finished bar. The most exciting moment was pouring and decorating their own chocolate creations, which they could later take home. The interest was so great that all four workshop sessions were fully booked.
Swiss lifestyle and Polish connections
Chocolate Day also offered a chance to deepen knowledge about Switzerland itself. Olga Dyrda, an author and blogger, shared vivid stories about “celebrity cows,” famous cheeses, and the legendary Swiss punctuality. Her talk was enriched with a wealth of visuals showcasing Swiss landscapes and everyday life in what is often considered Europe’s chocolate capital.
Meanwhile, Mariusz Świątek, director of the Regional Museum in Jasło, delivered a lecture on behalf of Tadeusz Kilarski about the history of Polish emigration in Switzerland, shedding light on the connections between the two countries.
For the youngest participants, there were numerous animations and quizzes about Switzerland and the “Let’s grow Jaslo” project. The day concluded with an evening screening of the family film Wonka.
The project and its partners
An important part of the event was also the presentation of the “Let’s grow Jaslo” project, through which the city has secured nearly PLN 80 million in funding from Swiss Funds under the Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme.
During the afternoon, the lobby of JDK hosted stands from project partners, including the Powiatu Jasielskiego and the Związek Gmin Dorzecza Wisłoki, as well as institutions involved in the project’s implementation. Residents had the opportunity to learn how Swiss Funds will contribute to the development of Jasło and improve everyday life.
Visitors were once again informed that the project will include, among other things, the construction of a modern railway station, a biocomposting facility for sewage sludge, and the modernization of the specialist clinic building on Chopina Street. Additionally, the project предусматривает a wide range of initiatives aimed at supporting local businesses and improving opportunities for young residents on the labor market.
We would like to thank all the residents of Jasło who visited the Jasielski Dom Kultury that Sunday afternoon.
The “Let’s grow Jaslo” project is co-financed by Swiss Funds aimed at reducing economic and social disparities within the European Union, as well as by the state budget.
