Museum of Lemko Culture in Olchowiec
Historic Chyża
In Olchowiec, the Historic Chyża (Lemko Cottage), which is the Museum of Lemko Culture, was established on the initiative of Tadeusz Kiełbasiński. It is housed in one of the cottages built in the style of the so-called Western Lemkosand contains most of its elements dating back to the late 19th century.
In 1939, as part of the consolidation of land in the village, the cottage was moved to its current location, and some damaged elements were replaced. In 1981, Tadeusz Kiełbasiński purchased it. After carrying out the necessary repair and conservation work, he organized an exhibition inside the building dedicated to Lemko culture, which he had collected for over 50 years during his travels throughout Lemkovyna. The entire complex, named the Historic Lemko Cottage in Olchowiec (Zabytkowa Chyża łemkowska w Olchowcu), includes the residential and farm building, the furnishing of the living quarters with household equipment, a collection of miniature wooden Orthodox churches (cerkiewki), an exhibition of traditional Lemko costumes, and an exhibition of agricultural equipment. An additional attraction is the original military artifacts remaining in these areas from the struggles of World War II.
The Historic Chyża played a significant role in the revival of the tradition of organizing the Kermesz (a traditional Lemko fair/festival). When preparing the main room for visitors, its owner placed original Lemko costumes, sourced from the village residents, in the center of the display. One of these residents, after donating his costume, frequently visited the museum and requested that after his death, people should not say he had passed away. He instructed all visitors to be told that he was still alive, present right there in the museum, and that his costume on one of the stands was proof of his ongoing presence. When visiting the museum and viewing his folk costume, he often spoke about the Kermesz festivals. These were the occasions when the residents of Olchowiec would wear their traditional folk attire. It was their main celebration. Fascinated by the stories of the Lemko fairs, the museum owner, together with friends from the Carpathian Society (Towarzystwo Karpackie), decided to help the residents of Olchowiec revive their tradition. Unfortunately, the Olchowiec resident, thanks to whom the idea of Kermesz was rekindled, did not live to see its reactivation. He passed away one year before the first fair.
On the initiative of Tadeusz Kiełbasiński, the museum owner, many projects were undertaken to promote and showcase Olchowiec, the Kermesz festivals, and Lemko culture. Among the tasks carried out by the Historic Lemko Cottage in Olchowiec (Zabytkowa Chyża łemkowska w Olchowcu) as part of its educational and promotional activities concerning Lemko culture, we can list:
1994 – Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń: Exhibition of photograms, costumes, and a verbal vernissage accompanied by musical setting (82 exhibits presented).
1996 – Youth Culture Center in Łódź: Olchowiecki Kermesz 1996 w fotografii (Olchowiec Kermesz 1996 in Photography),presentation of 60 exhibits.
1998 – Józef Piłsudski Public Library in Łódź: Kermesz, Kermesz Boh tia stworił (Kermesz, Kermesz God created you), Kermesz photograms (supplemented with photos of local Orthodox churches, cemeteries, and Lemko cultural monuments, 80 exhibits).1998 – Józef Piłsudski Public Library in Łódź:
2002 – Community Center (Dom Ludowy) in Nowy Żmigród near Jasło: Presentation of photograms Kermesz w Olchowcu (Kermesz in Olchowiec) during the Dni Miasta Żmigrodu (Days of Żmigród Town) festival (60 exhibits).
2004 – School Complex in Krempna near Jasło: Kermesz u sąsiadów (Kermesz at the Neighbors'),an exhibition presented during the opening of the school complex (85 exhibits).
2007 – Photographic exhibition at the Łódź University of Technology (Politechnika Łódzka) during the concert W górach jest wszystko co kocham (In the Mountains is Everything I Love)..
2008 – Municipal Public Library in Brzeziny near Łódź: Kermesz– presentation of 80 boards featuring Kermesz festivals and views from the Olchowiec area (the exhibition lasted 18 days).
2014 – Youth Culture Center (Centrum Kultury Młodych): Jest taka wieś w Niskim Beskidzie (There is Such a Village in the Low Beskids)– the exhibition covered three areas: the history of the village 1543-2014, the Kermesz of 2014, and a presentation of artifacts remaining from the battles for the Dukla Pass 1944-1945 (153 exhibits).