“The Nobility Weekend” is one of the most important projects in the Silesian Culture Centre in Nakło Śląskie. It seems obvious that such a project came into being in this very place, as it had been the Henckel von Donnersmarck family’s residence before . But this is not the only reason for creating this annual event. Another one leads to the Centre’s program which implies promoting historical knowledge about the Silesian region and – thanks to the historian, Dr Arkadiusz Kuzio-Podrucki, the author of many scientific publications – specializes in the history of the Silesian aristocracy. This is precisely the role of “The Nobility Weekend” organized since 2014.
The basic formula of the program includes opening a historical exhibition on Saturday, meetings with some members of the Upper Silesian aristocracy and on Sunday a family bike ride “In the Footsteps of the Upper Silesian Nobility”. Each edition is accompanied by extra events. Among them were: presentation of the film “Gloria and Exodus – History and Exodus of the Silesian Nobility” followed by a meeting with Count Nikolaus von Ballestrem, who occurred in the film, presentation of the Hochberg a family monograph „Three names, one family ” combined with a meeting with count Jan Henryk XXII von Hochberg zu Fürstenstein, concert perfomed by count Ulrich von Wrochem and his grandsons, as well as two musical spectacles “In the Countess Laura’s Salon” and “Waiting for Chopin”. A large exhibition “Silesian Nobility – between Silesia and Europe” (May – September 2015) was another important project for the whole region. It was inaugurated by Count Andrew Henckel von Donnersmarck, grandson of the last owner of the palace in Nakło Śląskie. He was accompanied by numerous members of the family, who appreciated the event very much.
The aim of the project is to encourage people of different ages and interests as well as integrate local – and not only – community through the idea of learning about history of their region. A particularly successful event with a record attendance of more than 200 people is a bike ride “In the Footsteps of the Upper Silesian Nobility”, which brings together families and bike lovers. Due to the historical lectures given in the shadow of castles, manor houses, churches and a mine, the bike ride has an educational value, too.
Realization of such a large project, however, was possible only in cooperation with various institutions and individuals. Contacts with the House for Polish-German Cooperation in Gliwice, a permanent partner and sponsor of the project turned out to be especially effective. Since 2015 our partner has been the Jedlinka Palace in Jedlina-Zdroj, which also organizes historical exhibitions in cooperation with the Silesian Culture Centre. University of the Third Age in Tarnowskie Góry joined “The Nobility Weekend” willingly. Private collectors make their unique collections of orders, pictures, documents available for our exhibitions, which is highly appreciated .
More information on “The Nobility Weekend” can be found in a special publication “Silesian Nobility, between Silesia and Europe”, available at the Centre.
The project shaped this way made the Silesian Culture Centre a significant institution providing historical education, prominent in our region and beyond it.
A detailed program of “The Nobility Weekends”:
2014
– presentation of the film “Gloria and Exodus – History and Decline of the Silesian Nobility” / followed by a meeting with Andrzej Klamt and Ronald Urbańczyk, the directors and Count Nikolaus von Ballestrem occurring in the film
– opening of the exhibition “How to Become a Lord”, presenting British documents of arms from Dr Dariusz Woźnicki’s collection
– a trip of the University of the Third Age in Tarnowskie Góry to the palace in Pławniowice and a factory housing estate in Rokitnica
– a bike tour “In the Footsteps of The Upper Silesian Nobility” (Karłuszowiec – Nakło Śląskie)
2015
– an exhibition “The Silesian Nobility – between Silesia and Europe” (May – September) – opening on May 15 with the family Henckel von Donnersmarck attendance
– promotion of the album “Silesian Potentates – the Schaffgotsch Family’s Heritage”
– “In the Countess Laura’s Salon” – a performance and a concert by University of the Third Age in Tarnowskie Góry
– trips to places connected with the aristocracy to a palace in Moszna for University of the Third Age in Tarnowskie Góry
– a bike ride “In the Footsteps of the Upper Silesian Nobility” (Nakło Śląskie – Orzech – Świerklaniec – Bibiela – Pasieki – Żyglinek – Nakło Śląskie)
2016
– an exhibition “Splendor Recovered” – Silesian nobility’s residences in Marek Gaworski’s photos (July 29 – September 25)
– opening of the exhibition “The World of European Orders” (24 September – 31 December 2016).
– a harpsichord concert “Music Is the Speech of Sounds” – feat. Hanna Balcerzak
- a bike ride “In the Footsteps of the Upper Silesian Nobility” (Nakło Śląskie – Chechło – Świerklaniec – Kalety – Zielona)
2017
18-20 May – Bicycle rally – Grand Prologue: Nakło Śląskie (palace) – Jedlina-Zdrój (Jedlinek Palace), combined with the opening in the Jedlinka Palace of the exhibition “The Grandfather from Wehrmacht” prepared by the House of Polish-German Cooperation in cooperation with the Center of Silesian Culture
September 21-23
- opening of the exhibition “Sabers in hand” with exhibits of Krzysztof Banas, Jacek Dąbal, Kazimierz Flakus and Dariusz Woźnicki
- concert of classical music performed by Counts Wrochem
- bike rally (Nakło Śląskie – Stare Repty – Rybna – Kopanina – Brynek – Tworóg)
2018
June 16-17 Grand Prologue Nakło Śląskie – Castle in Moszna; visiting the exhibition “Silesian Gentry – between Silesia and Europe”
September 21-23
- presentation of the von Hochberg family monograph “Hoberg, Hohberg, Hochberg. Three names, one family “combined with a meeting with count Jan Henryk XXII von Hochberg zu Fürstenstein
- Theatrical and musical performance of the Silesian Opera “Waiting for Chopin”
- Bike Rally “In the footsteps of the Upper Silesian nobility … and more! Faces of Niepodległości 1918-2018 “, on the route: Tarnowskie Góry – Karłuszowiec (palace of counts de la Velette d’Uclaux) – Nakło Śląskie (palace of counts Henckel von Donnersmarck) – Swierklaniec (Palace of the Knights and Mausoleum of princes von Donnersmarck) – Kozłowa Góra (park Donnersmarcks) – Piekary Śląskie (Mine of Liberation) – Radzionków (St. Adalbert’s church, Center for Documentation of Deportation of Upper Silesians to the USSR in 1945)
2019
July 4-6
VI Bicycle Rally – Prologue. Route: palace in Nakło Śląskie – Książ Castle, with accommodation in Niemodlin and in the Palace of Jedlinka in Jedlina Zdrój
September 21-22
- Secrets of the Lost Palace – Opening of an exhibition dedicated to the destroyed palace of the Tiele-Winckler family in Bytom-Miechowice
- Family traditions – Official presentation of previously unpublished memories of Waleska Tiele-Winckler, which issued the Museum of the History of Katowice.
- Secrets of words – a concert of Agnieszka Osiecka songs performed by the Dafne Youth Entertainment Choir and Symfonix Youth Entertainment Orchestra.
- We are building a mysterious palace – Construction of the LEGO palace in Miechowice (Bytom) by children
- VI Noble Bicycle Rally: Nakło Śląskie (Henckel von Donnersmarck Palace) – Świerklaniec (Park) – Wesoła (bunker, Silesian Maginot Line) – Dobieszowice (a 16th noble manor) – Niezdara (a former customs house) – Miasteczko Śląskie (Rubin’s villa and park) – picnic