Marta Żywicka

Marta Żywicka – a journalist, specialist in cultural studies and a manager of culture. Since 2008 she has been cooperating with the Church of Peace in Świdnica in accomplishing cultural projects. She started cooperating with the Krzyzowa Foundation last year.

When did you find out about Krzyżowa?

Krzyżowa is a very symbolic place for me in European, historical and personal context. It was here that I discovered my passion for writing and, to be more specific, to journalism. It was 1995 and I just finished first year in II High School in Świdnica. I came to Krzyżowa for my holidays. I joined the journalism workshop which was run by some journalists from Belorussia. I still have my first piece of writing about holidays. Krzyżowa was just starting being reborn then. There were no Obora, no Spichlerz…the Palace was being renovated. But I already had the feeling that it is a very special place.

What were your first steps in working with Krzyżowa?

Having finished my studies in Kraków I returned to my ‘little homeland’. I became a manager of the project called “Following Christian Czepka’s Expedition’ which was being realized by the parish of Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Świdnica. As a part of that project I wanted to organize a meeting of young people from Poland and Germany. I managed to do that in 2010 as a part of ‘One Bag, Common Journey’ project. That was my symbolic come back to Krzyżowa.

Which of your future plans are connected with Krzyżowa?

I was invited to take part in creating “A year in Krzyzowa” in January. I wrote a text about what happened here in 2010. I have to admit that only then, trying to summarise the events, I discovered the variety of cultural and educational projects and enormous numbers of young people who come to Krzyżowa from all over Europe. I hope it is only the beginning of our cooperation. I feel enchanted by Krzyżowa. People who work here are full of passion and fantastically prepared to work with children, young or disabled people. I respect and value their effort. I also love that big lawn! I reminds me of the joys and carelessness of childhood.