Opolno-Zdrój is the Future!

Living in Warsaw, Poland, Kuba Depczyński serves as the curator of public programmes at the Museum of Modern Art, which will open its new premises in the autumn of 2024. His role involves activities beyond exhibitions, such as curating events, seminars, and research initiatives.

Kuba’s work reflects his passion for art’s intersection with society. With a background in art theory and history, Kuba’s professional work extends beyond the museum. He is also a co-founder of the Office for Post-Artistic Services, a nationwide network in Poland. This collective, linking over 400 artists, academics, activists, and researchers, explores how artistic skills can be applied beyond the traditional art world and exhibition spaces. Their focus includes supporting social movements with pro-democratic, feminist, ecological, and anti-authoritarian goals in Poland and beyond.

Kuba’s interest in just transition and sustainable development stems from a deep, personal awakening to the importance of climate issues. This realisation came after years of studying and learning about the environmental challenges that have been discussed since the 1970s. Despite the long history of these concerns, Kuba found it surprising that such critical issues had not been emphasised earlier in his life or education. This revelation profoundly shifted his perspective, influencing his personal life and professional endeavours.

Kuba engages with the climate movement on multiple levels. He writes academic and theoretical texts influenced by environmental humanities, exploring the intersection of ecology and contemporary art. His dedication to sustainability also extends to activism; he participates in climate protests and collaborates with the climate movement in Poland through the Office for Post-Artistic Services. Kuba’s approach to just transition and sustainability is intellectual, practical, and activist, driven by a deep sense of responsibility to create meaningful change.

Funded by the European Cultural Foundation, the “Opolno-Zdrój is the Future!” project began in 2021 when Kuba and his colleagues at the Office for Post-Artistic Services were approached by Diana Lelonek, a contemporary Polish artist with international acclaim, who was working on environmental themes. Diana had been contacted by the mayor of Opolno-Zdrój, a small town near one of Poland’s largest open-pit lignite mines, and a representative from an environmental movement.

The mayor and the environmental activists were looking for artists and activists to restage an event from 1971 when avant-garde Polish artists had organised the first ecological artistic assembly in the country. This event, held in the same town, addressed issues like landscape destruction, pollution, and the impact of industrialisation on local communities, making it a significant moment in Poland’s art and environmental history.

The 1971 event was largely forgotten, partly because it had been too critical of the socialist government’s push for industrial progress and was shut down after its first edition. The current mayor hoped that by revisiting this historical event, a new discussion could be sparked about the town’s future, especially in light of the environmental and social challenges posed by the ongoing mining operations.

The project also had a contemporary context, as Opolno-Zdrój is directly impacted by the Turów mine, which has caused significant environmental damage and even cross-border tensions with the Czech Republic and Germany. Despite these issues, the region lacks a just transition plan, and no EU funds are allocated to close the mine. The situation is dire, with parts of the town already destroyed by the expanding mine.

Kuba and his team were intrigued by the historical and contemporary complexities of the town. They made several research trips to understand the local community and meet with the mayor, who believed that by involving artists and sparking dialogue, the municipality could find a way forward for the town when mining operations cease in the future.

The “Opolno-Zdrój Is the Future!” project is focused on working closely with the local community of Opolno-Zdrój, an 800 inhabitants village. The project aims to explore and imagine potential futures for the town after the Turów mine eventually closes, addressing the deep-rooted cultural, emotional, and economic ties that the community has to the mine and power plant. During our conversation, Kuba emphasised several times that this project is a collective effort involving many different professionals and local people.

The project recognises that while there is local resistance to transitioning away from mining, this resistance is not solely about jobs but also about the ways of life, values, and imaginaries that have developed around the mine over decades. By engaging directly with the community, the project seeks to understand these perspectives and work on envisioning alternative futures that could sustain the town after the mine’s closure.

Given the deep divisions among the residents of Opolno-Zdrój—some resistant to change, others eager for it—Kuba and his colleagues have focused on creating spaces for dialogue and connection and combined those with artistic expression, educational initiatives and practical support. Since 2021, the project has helped the community navigate this difficult transition with these methods:

1. Community space and engagement: One of the primary strategies has been creating a public space, the only café in the village, where locals can gather in a relaxed setting. This space is designed to foster informal conversations, allowing residents to discuss their concerns and hopes for the future without the pressure of formal meetings.
2. Artistic interventions: Art plays a crucial role in the project’s approach. The organisers aim to gently provoke thought and encourage discussion using creative tools. For instance, they have created artworks that explore speculative futures for the town, sparking conversations among community members. These artistic interventions are about presenting ideas and inviting dialogue in a community where open discussion is often avoided.
3. Educational activities: The project has organised workshops for both adults and children, designed to get them thinking about the future of Opolno-Zdrój. Workshops for children are a vital component, as they represent the town’s future. The project engages them in documenting activities. For adults, workshops have focused on basic public discussion skills to ease tensions and facilitate more constructive conversations.
4. Process facilitation: Recognising the need for expert guidance, the project has partnered with a foundation specialising in social process facilitation and depolarisation. Together, they have conducted workshops to teach community members how to engage in productive dialogue, listen to different perspectives, and find common ground in a deeply divided community.
5. Cultural and food traditions: The project also explores the rich mix of food traditions brought by the diverse population of the region considering how these could be developed as part of the town’s post-mining future.
6. Social events: The project includes social gatherings, like parties, which tap into the unique cultural elements of the region, such as its unexpected reggae and dub music scene.
7. Practical support: The project also responds directly to the community’s needs. For example, when locals requested help with practical tasks like painting the bus stop, the project team stepped in, using the opportunity to create a symbolic artwork that reflects the community’s identity. These small acts of service help build trust and demonstrate the project’s commitment to supporting the community.

Moreover, the project’s impact extends beyond the local community. The initiative creates a bridge between urban and rural perspectives by bringing in artists and researchers from urban centres, particularly Warsaw. This exchange not only educates urban participants about the realities of energy production and its social costs but also brings fresh ideas and attention to the challenges faced by Opolno-Zdrój.

The project in Opolno-Zdrój faces significant challenges, primarily from political resistance to change and a deeply ingrained local identity centred around the coal mine. Despite efforts to engage the community in discussions about a post-coal future, the project encounters strong opposition from local authorities and the mining industry, which hold considerable power in the region.

One of the key challenges is that local authorities, regardless of political affiliation, have consistently resisted any form of transition away from coal. This resistance is not just passive; it is actively reinforced through campaigns and actions that oppose the European Green Deal and any discussions of a just transition. For example, during a legal dispute with the Czech Republic over environmental issues, there was a violent protest by the mining union in Luxembourg, highlighting their commitment to maintaining the status quo.

The project also grapples with the challenge of a deeply rooted local identity tied to the mining industry. For over 70 years, the community’s identity has been closely linked to coal mining and the operation of the power plant. Local authorities and the mining company have exploited this historical connection to maintain control and resist change. Despite the economic unviability of the mine and the dangers associated with the work, the narrative of coal mining as a source of dignity and stability persists.

The project’s strategy to address these challenges is centred on cultural and social engagement. It aims to introduce alternative narratives and possibilities for the region’s future. By highlighting other aspects of the area’s history, such as its spa heritage, food traditions, and its textile production, the project seeks to broaden the community’s perspective and encourage discussions about new identities and futures.

However, breaking through the entrenched political and industrial opposition remains a tremendous challenge, and the project continues to navigate these complex dynamics in its efforts to foster a more open and hopeful dialogue about the future of Opolno-Zdrój.

The project in Opolno-Zdrój has reached several significant milestones, particularly over the past year, marking a turning point in its efforts to engage and uplift the local community.

One of the most notable achievements has been the project’s success in forging connections with diverse community groups, including those initially outside its circle of supporters. Initially dependent on the backing of a supportive mayor, the project has now found allies even under a new local leadership. This broader acceptance suggests that the project’s artistic and climate-focused initiatives resonate with a wider audience, transcending political and social boundaries.

Another key accomplishment is the uncovering of the region’s textile industry heritage. In collaboration with the Association of Former “Doltex” Workers, the project organised an exhibition to showcase the stories of those who once worked in the local textile factories. This initiative has honoured a forgotten chapter of the area’s history and offered an alternative narrative to the dominant coal mining culture, enriching the community’s understanding of its own diverse economic past.

The project has also succeeded in building a committed network of artists, researchers, and academics who have dedicated significant time and effort to the cause. Some of these individuals, who hold influential positions in cultural and academic institutions, are helping amplify the project’s message nationally. A conference in Warsaw will be organised to raise awareness among politicians and journalists to extend the project’s impact beyond the local level.

The project’s engagement with local children has become a cornerstone of its success. The arrival of artists each summer is eagerly anticipated, offering children creative experiences that might influence their future paths. While Kuba is realistic about the economic challenges of pursuing a career in the arts, he sees value in exposing children to new possibilities and ways of thinking, potentially shaping their broader life choices.

Over the years, the project has accumulated a deep understanding of the community’s challenges, particularly in the context of the just transition from coal. This knowledge is viewed as a vital resource, and the project plans to archive and share it with a broader audience. By doing so, they hope to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of what a just transition entails, focusing on technological solutions and the lives and opportunities of the people involved.

Looking ahead, Kuba remains optimistic but acknowledges significant challenges for the future of the village and the region. The mine is currently scheduled to operate until 2044. Still, a recent court ruling could force its closure by 2026 due to invalid permits. Such a sudden shutdown could lead to a severe economic shock, reminiscent of past transitions where entire industries collapsed overnight, leaving communities in crisis.

Kuba advocates for a more gradual closure of the mine, supported by EU funds to aid the transition. He envisions using these funds to stimulate new economic activities, such as sustainable businesses and tourism, and to revitalise traditional industries like textiles.

He is also concerned about the political barriers to a fair transition. Both local and central governments have shown resistance to change, and there is a risk that the mine could be closed too quickly, leading to a repeat of past failures in managing industrial closures.

Despite the challenges, he sees potential for Opolno-Zdrój to become a tourist destination. With its picturesque landscapes, historic architecture, and rich textile history, the region could develop biking and walking trails, and promote its cultural heritage.

Kuba advises that careful planning and community involvement are key to navigating the transition from coal mining to a more sustainable and economically viable future. This empowers the audience, making them feel integral to the success of the transition.

Office for Postartistic Services

Written by Jose Rodriguez
Fact checked by Kuba Depczyński
Photos by Alicja Kochanowicz