UNTIL 1990 the large building in Chopina Road near the
centre of Sochaczew was nothing more than an old
chemical factory.
Today it is buzzing with 100 of the town's talented young
musicians, dancers, poets and artists, just one of three dedicat
ed
cultural after school clubs.
Fittingly sited on a road named after the area's most famous son,
the composer Frédéric Chopin, the Mazowsze Culture House is a
product of local government policy set on developing
Sochaczew's cultural talent.
Jerzy, or 'George', Zelichowski, one of the town's two Deputy
Mayors, explains: "They are paid for by the town budget – every year
we allocate money for culture and we give the amount to a director
who decides how the money will be spent.
"We have a wide programme and a wide range of activities, the main of which are modern and classical dancing.
"In each building we have about 100 young people, children and
teenagers. None of them are professional but the standard is as
such."
Kitted out with a theatre, dancing studios, offices and classrooms, the Mazowsze centre is filled with children after the traditional school day ends in the early afternoon.
The strategy is already reaping rewards – Melton Mayor Pam
Posnett and her delegation were treated to a special performance of
singing and slick modern dance from dozens of students from the
culture houses.
Many of the children will go on to perform to bigger audiences.
Mr Zelichowski adds: "Some children with special skills join
professional groups. From previous years we have two or
three young people who dance in very professional ensembles in
Warsaw and we now see them on TV."
Perhaps we have a lot to learn from a society where the idea of a
fame academy is more than just a BBC show.
