The small village of Kończewice, located in the Malbork district of northern Poland, joined this year’s International Day with remarkable enthusiasm and creativity. What began as a local initiative soon became one of the most inspiring grassroots heritage events in the region—so much so that Kończewice received the award for the best EHD initiative of 2025. The ceremony took place in Żyrardów in early October, attended by the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, and the General Conservator of Monuments in Poland.

The idea to organize the EHD in Kończewice came from Józef Madej, a rope-maker (powroźnik) and active member of the local Rural Women’s Circle (Koło Gospodyń Wiejskich). Inspired by a film heon disappearing professions and a previous meeting with dr hab. Agnieszka Pawlowska-Mainville, the UNESCO Chair in Living Heritage and Sustainable Livelihoods, Canada, where he was described as a “Cultural Heritage Custodian’ for his rope-making traditions and skills, Mr. Madej felt a sense of responsibility to safeguard this intangible tradition. With the support of the local community, he decided to prepare a public demonstration of rope-making, beginning with the creation of simple cords and ending with a finished rope. For him, the event was also a kind promotion of this cultural expression as a form of entertainment/fun event for the public.
The 33rd edition of the EHD, held under the theme “Towards Architecture: Young Heritage,” offered the Kończewice community a chance to highlight both tangible and intangible aspects of their past. Local resident Ryszard Bolek, a retired farmer turned guide, led visitors through the village’s historical landmarks, encouraging them not to forget the stories embedded in its architecture. The local Rural Women’s Circle, and the village leader played a vital role in organizing the festivities.

The event’s main attraction was a 140-metre-long rope-making lane, likely the longest of its kind in this part of Poland. Assisted by young volunteers from the Kończewice Volunteer Fire Brigade’s Youth Division, Madej twisted the cords into a final rope measuring 112.5 metres. The rope became a powerful symbol of connection—literally and figuratively—linking generations and neighbors through a shared act of making.
Among the guests were representatives from the Malbork Castle Museum, Museum of Fr. Dr. Wiesław Łęga in Grudziądz, and the historic parish church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, established in 1338. Speeches by different individuals emphasized how traditional crafts and architecture can strengthen local identity and inspire collaboration within rural communities to preserve their local elements of intangible cultural heritage.

Programme

1. Welcoming guests
2. Discussion of planned activities
3. Tour of the church surroundings, presentation of Żuławy style elements in new and old buildings
4. Rope twisting and a story from a rope maker about the technology of rope twisting in the old days
5. Tour of the church interior (1338) and video presentation of the bells in the tower
6. Presentation of the reconstructed wooden elements of the church’s wooden structure
7. Summary of activities by invited guests
8. Videoconference with dr hab. Agnieszka Pawłowska-Manville - UNESCO Chair in Living Heritage and Sustainable Livelihoods, Honorary Patron of the event