The meeting was opened by Acting Director of the Institute Elzbieta Osinska-Kassa. After approving the agenda, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Czeslaw Siekierski took the floor. In a short speech, he paid tribute to the past activities of the NIKiDW and shared with those gathered his plans for the future of the institution. After the speech, Minister Siekierski handed out nominations to new Council members. They were received:
- Bożena Żelazowska - Secretary of State of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
- Iwona Ciechan - advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
- Anna Gomóła - , prof. of the University of Silesia, Ph.
- Andrzej Nowak Arczewski - journalist, writer, publicist
- Zbigniew Skuza - museologist, deputy director of the Radom Village Museum
In addition to those mentioned, the Program Council included:
- Izabella Byszewska - President of the Polish Chamber of Regional and Local Product
- Barbara Fedyszak-Radziejowska, PhD - ethnographer, advisor to the President of Poland
- Anna Staniszewska - folk artist, Association of Folk Artists
- Jan Krzysztof Ardanowski - Chairman of the Council for Agriculture and Rural Areas to the President of the Republic of Poland, Member of the Polish Parliament.
- Arkadiusz Jełowicki, PhD - curator of the State Museum of Agriculture and Agro-Food Industry in Szreniawa
- Henryk Kiepura - Secretary of State of the Ministry of Education
- Adam Ochwanowski - poet, literary critic, cultural animator
In an open vote, Council members unanimously elected Andrzej Nowak-Arczewski as Chairman and Anna Staniszewska as Vice Chairman of the Council.
Afterwards, Acting Director of the Institute Elzbieta Osinska-Kassa and Deputy Director Nina Sapa presented a report on the Institute's activities for 2024 and plans for 2025. All members positively assessed both the Institute's work to date and plans for the future, and expressed their willingness to work closely together for the benefit of rural heritage in the broadest sense.
text: Magdalena Trzaska
photos: Rafal Karpinski
