INFORMATION PORTAL OF THE MARSHAL'S OFFICE OF THE KUJAWSKO-POMORSKIE Region IN TORUŃ

On Saturday (January 18), the main auction of the 13th Marshal’s Charity Ball acquired works of art, jewelry, clothing and surprises with a total value of more than half a million zlotys. The auction of a gouache by Julian Fałat brought the most income. The buyer paid 220 thousand zlotys. In the hall of the Cultural and Congress Center Jordanki in Torun the party lasted until the morning.

 

– I hope you will open your hearts to support this wonderful work. Today we are helping the Dorotkowo foundation in Toruń and the center of the Sisters of St. Elizabeth in Grudziądz, as well as other beneficiaries who received aid in previous years. I count on your support,” said Marshal Piotr Całbecki, opening the 13th Marshal’s Charity Ball together with his wife Dagna Całbecka. So far, more than 3 million zlotys of support from previous editions of the balls have already been transferred to needy children.

 

– The biggest dream of the boys from the center in Grudziądz is a new renovated gymnasium. The dream of the Dorotkowo Foundation is to create an inclusive cultural center. I hope we will bring many smiles to the faces of the wards of both institutions,” stressed Dagna Całbecka.

 

Another item that reached an impressive amount from the main auction, following a work by Juliusz Falat (220 thousand zlotys), was a sculpture made of Venetian Murano glass, the new owner will pay 120 thousand zlotys for it. The painting Peasants by Maria Kola was auctioned for 30 thousand, and the painting “Attack of the Shasers” for 25 thousand, the same amount will be paid to the needy by the new owner of the Bible Veteris Testamenti et Historiae artificiosis picturis effigiate from 1551.  Gold earrings with diamonds from Magdalena Czerwinska reached 20 thousand, a print by Lukasz Simlat depicting a horse’s head reached 12 thousand, and an etching “Sea Monster” by Krystyna Szalewska-Galdyńska reached 10 thousand. Gaja’s evening gown (designed by Kasia Zapala) was auctioned for 6 thousand zlotys.

 

As usual, a lot of excitement was given to the participants of the ball by auctions of “cats in a sack”, or surprises.  In bag no. 3, which was auctioned for 30 thousand zlotys, there was … a cube of butter. For the next two bags, the bidders paid 10 thousand zlotys each, there was a voucher to the Romantic Palace, and in the last one a trip to the Spanish region of Navarre.

 

A record amount of 518 thousand zlotys was achieved from the main auction. The final amount of income from this year’s charity ball will be known in February, after counting the income from the silent auction, contributions from ball attendees and deducting expenses.

 

Guests at the Marshal’s Charity Ball this year included singer Robert Janowski, director Jerzy Skolimowski and actors Aleksandra and Magdalena Popławskie sisters and Łukasz Simlat. Local government officials, politicians, scientists, business and cultural people also enjoyed themselves at the hall in Jordana.

 

Traditionally, the ball began with a polonaise. It was led by the Ziemia Bydgoska Song and Dance Ensemble. Musical accompaniment was provided by the Military Orchestra from Bydgoszcz, as well as the Eliasz Orchestra from Bydgoszcz and the Pomeranian Philharmonic String Quintet. Natasza Urbańska sang with her dance band. An undoubted musical highlight of the ball was a performance by Scottish bagpipers, members of the Kirkcaldy and District Pipe Band from Kirkcaldy. A family representation of the band played in Torun: William Wallace, his father George Wallace and uncle, the band’s principal drummer Robert Wallace and bagpiper Abbie Reid.

 

– I am always very happy to support such initiatives,” said actor Łukasz Simlat. – I thought this would allow me to get back to drawing with a pencil. I’m glad I was able to go on a three-day adventure to create this work and through it support the event.

 

The main beneficiaries of the 13th Marshal’s Charity Ball are the Special Educational Center of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Elizabeth in Grudziądz, which helps intellectually disabled boys from the age of six to twenty-four, and the Dorota Targowska and Her Friends Dorotkowo Foundation in Toruń, which supports the treatment and rehabilitation of people with disabilities, particularly Down syndrome, and helps their families. Traditionally, part of the funds from the ball will also go to the beneficiaries of previous editions and foreign missions.

 

– This form of support is very important to us, as grant funds are not always enough for our renovations. We will use the funds from the ball to renovate the gymnasium, as sports are very important for the boys,” said Sister Gracjana, who runs the center.

 

– Our big dream is to create an inclusive culture center, which has been in operation since last year, but we have ambitious plans to expand it in Torun’s Wrzosy. We want this place to be vibrant. We will show non-disabled people the world of people with disabilities so that everyone can live in society – not out of pity but to the full,” says Justyna Słupkowska, vice president of the foundation.

13th Marshal’s Charity Ball:

• 430 guests
• 150 items auctioned
• 4,400 guests of the twelve editions of the ball (2010-2024)
• 3 million zlotys raised since 2010

 

Beata Krzemińska

Spokesperson for the Marshal’s Office

 

January 19, 2025

Last updated: January 20, 2025.