Jedwabno Commune

Partners sought for project implementation:

A rural commune of a similar size (3600 inhabitants) and character (many lakes and forests, a tourist commune), where a folklore song and dance ensemble operates at a similar level (ensemble presenting traditional songs, dances, and rituals in the form of music, dance, singing, and theatrical shows, an intergenerational group of about 40 people, national and international achievements, a cultural hallmark of the Jedwabno Commune) and the Rural Housewives’ Circle focusing on culinary heritage.

The project “Bridges of Culture: Polish-Lithuanian Folklore Partnership” aims to promote tourism in the Polish-Lithuanian border region and proposes a partnership with a similar Lithuanian municipality based on common activities in the field of broad cultural exchange between local folklore groups and NGOs dealing with culinary heritage from both communities, mutual exchange of experiences, building a common tourism development strategy, and meetings on local identity and tourism offerings. The project also includes organizing joint cultural events aimed at promoting Polish-Lithuanian traditions and customs, incorporating elements of local community involvement, and publishing a book containing Polish and Lithuanian culinary recipes.
The project’s implementation falls within the scope of the Interreg Lithuania-Poland program, which aims to support cross-border cooperation and sustainable use of cultural and natural heritage. The project addresses the need for social integration and promoting sustainable tourism by emphasizing the common cultural heritage and history.
Project Elements
1. Cultural Exchange: Organizing regular meetings between Polish and Lithuanian folklore groups, rural women’s clubs, and working groups on a common tourism development strategy.
2. Musical, Dance, and Culinary Workshops: Periodic workshops focused on traditional music and dance, conducted by specialists from Poland and Lithuania. (Each team will organize a series of 3 music and dance workshops covering the repertoire characteristic of their partner’s region’s history throughout the project)
3. Cultural Events: Organizing joint cultural events in Poland and Lithuania, presenting the local heritage of both countries, including community involvement elements (dance workshops, music workshops, culinary workshops, lectures). Each partner will organize one cultural event concerning the local cultural heritage, history, and traditions of both countries as a tourist product promoting the Polish-Lithuanian border.
4. Educational Meetings: Meetings dedicated to local identity and regional history, with experts and historians.
5. Promotion and Communication: Information and promotional campaigns in social media and local media.
6. Publication Release: Publishing a cookbook containing recipes characteristic of Polish and Lithuanian traditional cuisine, highlighting both differences and common features of the cuisines of both countries.
7. Joint Strategy: Creating a common tourism development strategy. 3 visits from Poland to Lithuania 3 visits from Lithuania to Poland Visit Programs Visit 1 (Preparatory)
• Conference on cooperation, lecture on the region and tourism offerings
• Joint sightseeing
• Integration meeting
• Working meeting (exchange of experiences, strengths and weaknesses of partners, areas of cooperation)
• Music workshops (comparative workshops)
• Dance workshops (comparative workshops)
• Culinary workshops (comparative workshops)
• Guest participation in a local cultural event
Visit 2
• Integration meeting
• Working meeting on a common tourism development strategy
• Music workshops (hosts teach guests their traditional songs and melodies)
• Dance workshops (hosts teach guests their traditional dances)
• Culinary workshops (hosts teach guests their traditional dishes)
• Participation of guests and hosts in a cultural event organized as part of the project Visit 3
• Integration meeting
• Working meeting on a common tourism development strategy
• Music workshops (hosts teach guests their traditional songs and melodies)
• Dance workshops (hosts teach guests their traditional dances)
• Culinary workshops (hosts teach guests their traditional dishes)
• Working meeting on the publication of the cookbook

Project Objectives
1. Strengthening Mutual Understanding: Building cultural bridges between the communities of Poland and Lithuania.
2. Promotion of Cultural Heritage: Raising awareness of the cultural richness of the region.
3. Development of Cultural Tourism: Attracting tourists and promoting the region as an attractive tourist destination.
4. Strengthening Cross-Border Cooperation: The implementation of the project will contribute to building long-lasting relationships and partnerships between Poland and Lithuania.
The “Bridges of Culture” project responds to the need for strengthening cultural identity and cross-border cooperation between Poland and Lithuania, in line with the objectives of the Interreg program. Strengthening cultural ties through art and folklore will contribute to increased tourism and economic growth in the cross-border region.

Schedule
• January 2025: Project commencement, organizational preparations.
• April 2025 – June 2025: Visit 1a and 1b
• July 2025 – December 2025: Visit 2a (event preparation)
• January 2026 – July 2026: Visit 2b (event preparation)
• July 2026 – October 2026: Visit 3a and 3b
• November 2026 – December 2026: Publication of the culinary book and tourism development strategy.
• December 2026: Project summary, final report.