Activities
Activities
Despite its short existence, the Białowieża Center Association has already undertaken several events. In 2024, we organized, among others:
Białowieża Socio-Cultural Consultations 7-9 June 2024
Consultations are slowly becoming a new tradition. The Białowieża Center Association invited representatives of Orthodox Church organizations and organizations serving ethnic minorities to its center. Individuals who wish to actively participate in the life of the Church and their local communities also participated. Over 50 people representing various organizations attended the meeting, along with representatives of local government. Three workshop panels were held during the meeting: Piotr Baran discussed Orthodox mobile applications created as part of the OrthNet Association's activities; Artur Puszkarewicz presented the concept for the center's development; and Helena Datczuk discussed the wedding Korovaj and the traditions associated with it. The meeting was held with the financial support of the Podlaskie Voivodeship.
See more:
- Druga edycja - 2024
- First edition - 2023
Summer camp for children - Association for children and young people learning the Belarusian language "AB-BA"
After 20 years, the Ab-ba Association returned to the center and organized a children's camp. It took place from June 29 to July 5, 2024. Twenty-five people participated. The Białystok parish of St. George also showed initial interest, but ultimately backed out and held the summer camp at the parish.
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Suprasl 2024 International Camp Summary
The evaluation meeting took place from August 19th to 21st. It was organized by the OrthNet Association in cooperation with Suprasl: A World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth, the Białowieża Center Association, and other Orthodox organizations working for young people in Poland and abroad. The date was chosen deliberately, so that the 26 participants from Great Britain, Norway, Poland, Ireland, Greece, Russia, Finland, and the USA could also participate in the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord on Holy Mount Grabarka and the celebrations related to the 100th anniversary of the autocephaly of the Polish Orthodox Church.
The main points of the program included a summary of the July "Suprasl 2024" meeting and a discussion on the situation of youth work around the world. Participants had the opportunity to share their current activities and plan future projects and initiatives together. These key discussions, thanks to a hybrid discussion model (live and online), also included representatives of partner organizations from Romania, Greece, Great Britain, Belgium, France, Lithuania, and Lebanon, who were unable to travel to Białowieża, Poland. Larry Angier, a professional photographer, member of the Serbian Orthodox Church of St. Sava in Jackson, California, and an award-winning member of the OrthPhoto community, also participated. He led a photography workshop, sharing his own photos as well as tips and techniques for using photography as a tool for sharing the Gospel of Christ. Larry also spoke about the history of the St. Sava Community, one of the oldest Orthodox communities in the United States. On the second day of the meeting, we also organized a culinary workshop with Krzysztof Tarasiuk, an actor from the Pleciuga Puppet Theater in Szczecin, a long-time camp leader, and a regular contributor to the OrthNet association. On the final day of the meeting, participants set off at 4:30 a.m. for a hike through a strictly protected forest. Guided by Ewa Natalia Moroz-Keczyńska and Andrzej Keczyński, they experienced the beauty of God's creation in a unique setting and discussed the responsibilities of Orthodox Christians in caring for the environment. Among the highlights were evenings around a bonfire, where young people could share their culture through song and storytelling. The project is financed from the state budget as part of the "Public Diplomacy 2024" competition run by the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs.
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Celebration of the 20th anniversary of the OrthNet Association
On August 19th, the OrthNet Association invited everyone interested to the Białowieża Center to continue the anniversary meeting in a relaxed atmosphere (the first part took place on St. Grabarka Mountain). A variety of activities were prepared for participants, for both adults and children. The evening concluded with a bonfire, a concert, and a sing-along, which, due to the weather, had to be partially moved inside the center's buildings.
Post-camp meeting of the Grabarka labor camp
After a several-year hiatus, post-camp gatherings organized by the Brotherhood's Central Board for young people helping organize holiday celebrations in Grabarka returned to the center. The gathering took place on the first weekend of September. Aleksandra Rogoza organized the gathering.
Beginning of the 2024/2025 Scouting Year
We made the grounds of the center available to the 50th Troop of the St. George Scout and Cub Scout Troops "NIKA" for a bonfire and meeting.
Statute
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