ACTION: “Like a Phoenix from the Ashes”.
Organization of street thematic action, 25.06.2022.
The idea of the project “The city is me” was based on the diagnosis of growing social and civic passivity, associated with an established crisis of local identity, and thus with a decline in social activity. Social development is influenced by all activities aimed at strengthening participation in culture and city life and involving the local community. Building a strong inner-city identity through the use of inspiration coming from and with the participation of local residents is possible thanks to the widely circulating social institutions in Jasło, especially in the areas of culture, history, and protection of cultural heritage. Supporting localism through the involvement of municipal institutions and putting even more emphasis on supporting cultural initiatives and local activity. Institutions in the project animate, inspire, promote and support cultural activity, treating the environment of their own recipients as citizens of culture – recipients with ideas and possibilities to influence the program. Cultural institutions as a component of the local community, create mechanisms for social participation by organizing various types of events. Hence the idea that one of the activities of this project should be the organization of a street themed action.
And the opportunity for such actions are the family animations within the framework of thematic street actions organized on 25.06.2022 during the Days of Jaslo, an event which certainly can be called a celebration of the city. Pride in the success of the reconstruction, in the efforts of previous generations, is the driving force for the present and future inhabitants of the City. There is a justifiable sense of uniqueness in it – Jaslo is the only town in Europe which was not completely demolished as a result of the warfare during World War II, but rather subjected to a premeditated planned destruction, and then completely rebuilt and inhabited again (born again “like a Phoenix from the ashes”). Unbroken inhabitants rebuilding their city is a beautiful example and inspiration for future generations. This is how the idea for the animation activity entitled “Like a Phoenix from the Ashes” came about. Under the supervision of the painter Janusz Gilewicz, with the participation of the residents of Jaśl, a work of art will be created that could serve as an inspiration for involving the residents of Jaśl in the life of the town. As a summary, we will meet the artist and will be able to see the effects of the happening – a painting on canvas depicting the Phoenix hung on the building of the Jasło Cultural Center. In the evening, the time of common meetings and deliberations concerning the development of the city and its inhabitants will be made more pleasant by the concert “Tastes of classical music” and the accompanying exhibition of Karol Godek “Comparison”, showing Jasło in two scenes. Do not forget to take with you inspiring thoughts connected with our city, which you will find on the Town Square and in the surroundings of the family animations taking place on Saturday.
Gradual implementation of the components of positive Jasło identity, referring to the idea of “the city rebuilt, reborn from ashes”, i.e. strong, tenacious, with character, the city giving birth to outstanding people, well located, providing good living conditions and having its ambitions and giving life a good taste, will have direct influence on strengthening among the inhabitants the feeling of being a part of Jasło self-government community (Jasło city is me),
increase of the number of people identifying themselves with Jasło, proud of their origin from Jasło, its cultural heritage and history, stimulation of emotional bonds with the city, increase of the inhabitants’ activity through direct participation in many events not as recipients but implementers,
implementing a new vision of Jasło’s identity as a town with satisfied and proud inhabitants, the need to “pull” the inhabitants out of their homes, activate them, encourage them to act, learning new skills, developing their interests, strengthening passions and mutual cooperation and spending time with each other, which will contribute to creating new ideas and initiatives of the inhabitants.
New activation activities will have a positive impact on increasing the number of people benefiting from the activities offered by the city.
The project responds to problems related to the decline of social activity, social inactivity, identity crisis. The project will allow to arouse among inhabitants attachment to the city, strengthening of identity with the city (identification with the city), building the potential of culture through implementation of new culture-creating activities. The realization of the project is based on Jaslo’s potentials: the city’s history, its cultural heritage, whose legacy is passed on by the city’s cultural institutions and people. The city, which is appreciated by its inhabitants, who are proud of the place where they live, live and work, becomes an attractive and friendly place not only for the local community itself, but also for visitors, potential and past residents and investors.
