“The Bauble History of Częstochowa” is a two-year research project funded by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage under the Folk and Traditional Culture programme. It aims to explore an extremely precise and artistically often underrated field of artisan craftsmanship – the production of Christmas ornaments. The exhibition presents the craft of ornament-making in Częstochowa from 1940 to 2024.
Thanks to this wonderful event, the Częstochowa Museum sparkles with light, glass and memories.
The exhibition restores the memory of the local history of Częstochowa’s ornament production. Thirteen local companies were invited to take part in the project – both large and small, family-run workshops united by respect for tradition. “The Bauble History of Częstochowa” pays tribute to local heritage. Christmas ornaments, as handcrafted objects, are presented against a historical background showing the evolution of their shape and form. For decades, family-run businesses have trained artisans who passed their experience and production secrets down from generation to generation. Today, these precisely crafted glass ornaments are exported to Western and non-European markets. Making them is a meticulous and time-consuming process, admired around the world. To understand the scale of ornament production in Częstochowa, it is worth knowing that an ornament purchased elsewhere in Poland—or even anywhere in the world—was very likely blown and decorated right here in Częstochowa or its surroundings.
For many visitors, the exhibition is a true return to the past. A beautiful installation introduces a festive, slightly magical atmosphere that brings back childhood memories. One of the key elements of the exhibition is a collection of archival private photographs of local residents. These images capture everyday life of bygone years—homes filled with warm light, children standing by Christmas trees, twinkling lights and handmade decorations. These moments, frozen in time, were transformed into short, subtly animated films that brought the past back to life.
A great deal of attention is devoted to education and history. The exhibition presents all stages of glass ornament making. Photographs of each production step are displayed on the walls, accompanied by videos showing master glassblowers at work. In the workshop area, visitors can see artisan tools ranging from paper sketches, clay models and mould casting to glass blowing and decorating.
“The Bauble History of Częstochowa” reveals the identity of the city through an unusual lens—through craftsmanship, family histories, production processes and artistic precision. Thanks to the artefacts, we see the city as a workplace for many talented artisans who have been creating items for homes around the world for decades. The exhibition gathers nearly 300 exhibits, each a small work of art.
Two years of research and preparation for the exhibition revealed only part of the potential of this subject. The organisers say this is only the beginning and that the story deserves further exploration.
There is plenty of time to visit—the ornaments will remain on display at the Częstochowa Town Hall until 29 March 2026.
We warmly invite you!
