GOLDEN FLEECE WORKSHOP
Małgorzata Sporek-Czyżewska - co-creator of projects implemented by Borderland, such as: Central European Forum of Culture, Open Central and Eastern European Regions (Transylvania, Bosnia, Bukovina, Spisz), Borderland School, Memory of Ancient Times, Borderlander, Camera Pro Minoritate, Café Europa. She runs educational and cultural programs: "Sejny Lectorium" and "Krasnogruda Route" dedicated to the multicultural heritage of the former Commonwealth as well as multi-ethnic regions of Central and Eastern Europe and the theatrical youth group "Sejny Theatre" (she co- authored such performances as "The Dybukk," "Wijuny" and "The Issa Valley") contributing to the project of Klezmer Orchestra of the Sejny Theatre. From 2007 to 2011, she managed the investment project "International Centre for Dialogue in Krasnogruda - revitalization of the historical manor complex." Since its opening, the International Centre for Dialogue in Krasnogruda realizes the concepts of intercultural practices oriented towards co-operation with our Eastern neighbours (Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Moldova and Georgia). Mrs Czyżewska leads the team implementing cross- border cultural projects, such as "Atlantis of the North - Cultural Routes Poland Lithuania Russia."
MYSTERIES OF CHILDHOOD WORKSHOP
Bożena Szroeder - culture animator, pedagogue, and theatre director with 30 years of experience. For many years, she has conducted the theatre studio for children and is the project leader of the program of the "Sejny Chronicles". With the children theatre she directed the performances of "The Rose" and "The Sejny Chronicles". She authored an innovative programme of intercultural education for children, realized in Sejny schools that became a model for other schools around Poland. In 2012, for her career achievement, she was awarded the of the Irena Sendler Prize of Honour "For Repairing the World". She won the Marshal of the Podlaskie Voivodship Award for artistic work and popularization and protection of cultural heritage (2008/2009). She created the Film Collection "The Tales of Borderland" and authored the "Bobo's Metamorphoses" program. "Bobo's Metamorphoses"
WEAVING WORKSHOP
Urszula Wasilewska - graduate of the Art School of Advertising in Mińsk Mazowiecki. In 1987-1993, she worked as an art instructor at the local Community Centre. Since 1994 she has been employed by the Centre "Borderland of Arts, Cultures and Nations" for many years running the weaving workshop for children and youth, currently co-ordinating the activities of the exhibition workshop. Since 1994 she has also cooperated with the Borderland Foundation at the implementation of its publishing program.
MUSIC OF THE PLACE STUDIO
Michał Moniuszko – animator of culture, double bass player, graduate of the faculties of Polish Philology and Cultural Studies at Warsaw University. He is a disciple of the educational programs of Sejny "Borderland" and a current member of its team. He is the author of the "Music of the Place" programme which won him the "open mind certificate" awarded under the "youth exposure" organized by Gazeta Wyborcza. He contributes to the artistic program of the Sejny Jazz Cooperative.
DEEP SONG STUDIO
Wojciech Szroeder - pedagogue, musician and theatre director, in the 80s involved in the Rondo Theatre. He is a deputy director of the Centre “Borderland of Arts, Cultures and Nations”. He has authored and directed performances such as: "The Dybukk," "Listened to Fates," and "The Issa Valley." He is the crator of the "Borderland" music program - the Klezmer Orchestra of the Sejny Theatre, Sejny Jazz Cooperative and the Ejbike Meme project.
EARTH WORKSHOP
Ksenija Konopek - born in Novi Sad (Serbia), where she graduated from high school, cultural animation profile, graduate of Classical Philology at the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Belgrade, and Specialist Academic Studies in Multiculturalism. She has collaborated with Soros Foundation as a program coordinator for: Romani Program, Youth Program Educational Program, Medical Program, Open Clubs and the Civil Society. As a technical program coordinator at the Center for Multiculturalism (Novi Sad), she conducted a cultural education program for children and youth.
Iwona Zaborowska – graduate of the Academy of Physical Education and Sports for Nature, an employee of the Centre "Borderland - of arts, cultures, nations" in Sejny. Working at the Documentation Center of Borderland Cultures department, she is responsible for film, newspaper clippings and magazines. For many years now, she has been running the regional education program at the Municipal Kindergarten in Sejny.
Marcin Siuchno – ornithologist, graduate of the University of Life Sciences in Warsaw. He collaborates with the Polish Birds Association and works as an Education Specialist. For many years he has taught nature for youth and children in different places in Poland. He has authored educational packages on environmental education.
MASK WORKSHOP
Wiesław Szumiński – a visual artist, and animator of culture in Suwałki. Born in 1958 in Krasnopol. He studied theory of culture at Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, in 1978-1982 and Fine Arts Academy (1982-1986). He is a sculptor, book illustrator, designer of exhibitions and theatrical scenography. He works for the Centre Borderland of Arts, Cultures and Nations where he runs the ceramic studio for children. Working with children, he co-authored the following projects: Sejny Chronicles, Glass Bead Game, Macevas of the Sejny Kirkut, Clay Book, The Small Chapel, The Book of Jerzy Ficowski, and Clay Toys. He is a curator of the Papuciarnia Gallery and the White Synagogue Gallery.
BRIDGE LIBRARY WORKSHOP
Agata Szkopińska – cultural anthropologist, graduate of Ethnology Department of University of Łódź. Long-term employee of the Borderland Centre where she creates the research studio of the collections of the Documentation Centre of Borderland Cultures. The author of the "forgotten neighbourhoods" programme focused on the field and institutional research of the Protestant and Orthodox multicultural heritage of Sejny and Suwałki regions. Co-founder and coordinator of numerous educational programs (including "International volunteering for protection of the cultural landscape of Warmia and Masuria", EVS) and coordinator of the digitization of the national heritage resources.
KRASNOGRUDA PANTRY WORKSHOP
Mariola Mitros – studied rehabilitation pedagogy at the Suwalsko-Mazurska Higher School. She co-operated with the Ephemeral Theatre Cultural Association in Suwałki; co-authored the “Gallery at the Wall” project (billboard gallery of social issues advertising) and the 7th Suwałki Theatre Explorations SET 2002. In 2002-2007, she worked as an instructor-co-ordinator of the Residential Arts Centre in Wigry co-ordinating such projects as: Memory of Tradition - Suwałki Land (together with Muzyka Kresów Foundation); The Art of Dialogue on Lake Wigry; Aukso Summer Philharmonics; Music on Lake Wigry and the Flying Academy of Ancient Music. Co-founder of KRUSZNIA Association organizing the Festival of Folk Music and “Oh, Spring, You Spring” festival inspired by folk music. She collaborated with Prof Andrzej Strumiłło during the realization of the publishing activities, exhibitions and other events of culture-forming character. She has worked as a guide at the Contemporary Art Centre - Andrzej Strumiłło Gallery in Suwałki.
Patryk Masłowski — sound engineer, trombonist, graduate of the Sound Editing at the Film and Television Academy in Warsaw. Longtime participant of Borderland educational programs, where he currently leads the Sound Studio and documents Borderland's activities. He is interested in innovative methods of working with sound. He has collaborated and played with such artists as: DJ Lenar, Marcin Dymiter, Kamil Słowikowski, Steve Swell
BRIDGE WORKSHOP
Rafał Winiewicz - grandson of Wincenty Winiewicz, Sejny potter. Rafał Winiewicz obtained his Architecture Diploma in 1981 from the Institute of History of Architecture, Arts and Technology of the Wrocław Technical University majoring in conservation of historical monuments. He has worked at the Office of Documentation of Historical Monuments in Suwałki and the State Atelier for Conservation Architectural Property in Białystok. Since 1984, freelance architect. Individual exhibition at the Museum of Architecture in Wrocław in 1987. Winner of many prizes and awards in architecture, in 1988 received S. Wyspiański Young Artist Award. Authored many publications in the electronic media. He is the author of many projects in Sejny: redevelopment of Skarpa Hotel, reconstruction of the Cloth Halls, spatial adaptation of St. Agatha's chapel, building the tavern in the marketplace and (realized) restoration and adaptation of the Old Post Office building. The author of the design of rebuilding of the house at ul. 1 May and land development of the Jewish cemetery. Since 1997, he lives in Polanica Zdrój. He is the main designer of the International Centre for Dialogue and renovation of the post-manorial complex in Krasnogruda.