LUBLIN Participation of Lublin citizens in culture

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LUBLIN

Participation of Lublin citizens in culture

Sociological Research Report Written by: Mariusz Gwozda

2Participation of Lublin citizens in culture (Sociological Research Report), Department of Sociology of Culture and Education MCSU, Lublin 2009.

How often do you take part in the following events in Lublin?(data in percentage)

(N=1397)

1 – more than once a week; 2 – once a week;3 – a few times in a month; 4 – once a month;5 – a few times in a year; 6 – once a year;7 – very occasionally; 8 – do not participate at all;9 – hard to say;

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Folk festivals 1,3 2,7 2,9 22,6 23,9 14,2 25,4 7,0 0,0

Sport events 3,2 7,3 5,2 21,4 15,3 12,6 29,9 5,3 0,0

Concerts (other than classical music) 1,5 5,7 10,5 41,4 12,2 6,9 19,1 2,8 0,0

Classical music concerts 0,9 1,0 2,4 9,9 11,1 13,3 53,7 7,7 0,0

Lectures 1,2 1,6 3,2 13,0 8,2 10,8 52,8 9,2 0,0

Art exhibitions 0,7 2,2 3,1 15,6 13,8 14,9 44,7 5,0 0,0

Parties, social gatherings, get-togethers 14,4 28,9 21,6 23,8 3,8 1,5 4,1 1,9 0,0

Clubs, discos 5,5 17,1 16,5 18,9 5,0 4,8 29,2 3,0 0,0

Cinema 2,0 9,4 20,8 38,3 10,1 6,0 11,3 2,2 0,0

Pubs, restaurans, cafes 15,9 27,6 17,7 20,1 3,4 3,6 9,8 2,0 0,0

Theatre 0,8 2,3 4,7 18,4 17,4 15,7 33,6 7,1 0,0

Lublin citizens’ participation in culture and their knowledge of the city’s cultural life

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The least popular forms of participation in institutionalized forms of cultural life are classical music concerts, lectures and art exhibitions. More than half of the respondents declare occasional contact with these forms of cultural life or show no interest in them whatsoever.

Theatre, folk and sport events got similar results. Almost half of the respondents admitted hat they participate in such events occasionally.

Most often, as expected, people take part in social gatherings and parties. Almost nine out of then respondents (88,7%) admit to participate in such get-togethers at least once a month. Furthermore, Lublin citizens usually choose pubs and restaurants (once a month and more – 81,3%), cinema (70,5%) and concerts of music other than classical (59,1%).

Participation of Lublin citizens in culture (Sociological Research Report), Department of Sociology of Culture and Education MCSU, Lublin 2009.

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Popularity of certain forms of culture is determined by different socio-demographic factors.

Social gatherings are common among those respondents who where defined as average Lublin citizens, with secondary education. This form of leisure is most popular among women.

People who most likely go to cinema are the once more prone to culture consumption (respondents defined as „connoisseurs”) as well as students and school children.

The audience of other than classical music concerts consists of people aged 15 – 31 years old, school children and students.



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Did you actively participate in cultural events organized in Lublin over the last year?

(N=1182) (percentage)

1 – yes2 – no

1 2

Yes, as a viewer/ participant 94,1 5,9

Yes, as a „leader” of a group of friends taking them to a party 40,6 59,4

Yes, as an organizer/ co-organizer of the event 14,0 86,0

Yes, as a performer during to event 12,4 87,6

Yes, as a security guard 2,4 97,6

Yes, in other way 1,2 98,8



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As expected, people’s contact with culture usually comes down to participation in the event and reception of its content. Over the last year 94,1% of the respondents took part in the cultural events as a viewer/ participant. Almost every second respondent (40,6%) took part in the events as a „leader” gathering the group of friends to go out. Much less people were involved in organization of a cultural event itself or participated in it as a performer (both forms represent active participation). This way of involvement was declared accordingly 14,0% and 12,4 % of people.



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Which of the following places do you visit the most often as venues of cultural events? (N=1397)

(%)

City centre (the Old Town, Krakowskie Przedmieście, The Castle Square, Litewski Square, the promenade, shopping centre „Plaza”) 17,6

Cinemas 14,5

Theatres, Lublin Philharmonic (Juliusz Osterwa Theatre, Music Theatre, H. Ch. Andersen Theatre) 10,2

University Campus (Cultural Center „Chatka Żaka”, residence halls) 9,3

Parks and green areas (The Saski Garden, Botanic Garden, band shell, Zemborzycki reservoir, Open Air Village Museum) 7,3

Clubs and pubs 7,1

Music clubs 6,2

Cultural centres, community clubs (LOK, BWA) 4,2

Sports facilities (Globus, RKS Motor, Start, MOSiR) 3,7

Disco clubs 2,9

District community events 1,2

Other places (churches, museums, fairs, restaurants, cefes) 1, 5

Hard to say 14,3

Total 100



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The respondents usually visit places and institutions located in so-called city centre. Almost every fifth person interviewed chose such location. In this context, the following places were listed: the Old Town and the nearby street Krakowskie Przedmieście, Castle Square, Litewski Square, promenade near the Cracow Gate and shopping centre „Plaza”. Every seventh respondent mentioned cinemas – 14,5%, whereas every ten pointed out theatres and Lublin Philharmonic – 10,2% as well as university campus – 9,3%.

Other places mentioned here are: parks, clubc and pubs, music clubs, cultural centres and sport facilities. However, every seventh respondent did not select any of the places – 14,3% („hard to say” variant).



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Motives behind participation in cultural events

35,9%

17,7%

16,6%

8,6%

3,0%

18,2%

Entertainment

Spending time withfriends, meeting newpeople

Personal interests

Leisure, relax

Other reasons (cheaptickets, close proximity toone's home, greatatmosphere, alcohol)Hard to say


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According to the interviewed citizens, the most important reason behind participation in cultural life is simply entertainment. This option was chosen by over one third of the respondents (35,9%) asked about the causes of participation in cultural events. Other motives were: a need for spending time with friends and meeting new people (17,7%) as well as personal interest in particular events (16,6%). Almost every twentieth respondent mentioned a need for leisure and relax – 8,6%.



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Where do you find information about cultural events organized in Lublin?

(N=1397) (percentage)

1 – yes2 – no 3 – I am not interested

1 2 3

Posters/ billboards/ flyers 62,7 34,1 3,2

Family/ friends 56,6 40,2 3,2

Newspapers/ magazines (Kurier Lubelski, Moje Miasto Lublin, Dziennik Wschodni, ZOOM, Gazeta Wyborcza)

45,2 51,7 3,2

The Internet (koziolek.pl, lublin2016.pl, student.pl, lublin.eu) 44,3 52,5 3,2

Radio (Eska, Centrum, Radio Lublin) 41,8 55,0 3,2

Local TV station 34,7 62,1 3,2

Public TV stations (TVN, TVP1, Trwam, TVP2, Polsat) 6,1 90,7 3,2

Other 1,2 95,6 3,2

* The results do not add up to 100%, as the respondents could choose more than one answer.



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The data gathered show that people find information about cultural events in Lublin mostly in official streams of information such as posters, billboards and flyers. Other sources of information are friends and family. Later, the respondents mentioned newspapers and magazines (in the following order: Kurier Lubelski, Moje Miasto Lublin, Dziennik Wschodni, ZOOM, Gazeta Wyborcza), web portals (as follows: koziolek.pl, lublin2016.pl, student.pl, lublin.eu) and radios (in the following order: Radio Eska, Akademickie Radio Centrum, Radio Lublin). The respondents selected local and public TV stations as the least popular sources of information about cultural events in Lublin.



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What are, in your opinion, the most important cultural events that took place in Lublin over the last year? (between June 2008 and June 2009) (N=1397) (%)

Students Culture Days 36,4

The Night of Culture 15,8

Concerts (A.M. Jopek, Kult, T. Stańko, Audiofeels, WOSP, New Year’s Eve concert) 5,9

Plays (La Traviata, The Emigrants, The Haunted Manor, Metro) 5,1

Sport events (Tur de Pologne, football and handball matches) 3,2

Festivals („Other Sounds” Art’n’Music Festival, The International Organ Festival, „City of Poetry” Literary Festival 2,8

Other events (fairs, meetings with authors, visits of diplomats and politicians) 2,8

International Film Festival „Crossroads of Europe” 2,3

Film shows, reviews and festivals 2,0

Celebrations of national holidays (440th anniversary of the Union of Lublin, celebrations of the 3rd May and 11th November) 1,3

Jagiellonian Fair 1,1

Hard to say 21,3

Total 100



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As it turned out, almost a half of the respondents did not give a specific answer to the question – 44%. It can be pointed out that those are people who accept the current situation or have no actual insights concerning this issue.

The rest of the respondents highlighted lacks of sports facilities – 12,7%. As expected, the most important issue here is construction of the stadium in the city. Among the detailed answers related to sport infrastructure, the researchers found the following suggestions: stadium, aqua park, skate park, swimming pool, golf course, pitches.

Secondly, the respondents listed institutions promoting higher culture. Every tenth of the interviewed people selected opera house and concert hall for philharmonic orchestras – 9,6%, while theatre was mentioned by 6,9% respondents.


Cultural infrastructure deficiencies on the level of the city


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Cultural infrastructure deficiencies on the level of the districts

19,0%

10,3%

9,0%

7,8%3,5%2,7%2,6%

5,8%

39,3%

cinema

pub, restaurant, cafe

sport facility

community culture centre (music centre, library,centres for children)

it needs everything

it does not need any institutions

theatre

other (a senior citizens'club, park, gallery,monument, health spa, concert hall, disco)

hard to say

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It turned out that quite high percentage of the interviewed people (39,3%) did not provide any details concerning their districts. They are not, however, dissatisfied people, as the research shows only 3,5% discontent people who chose „it needs everything” option. Those who precisely described the districts’ needs selected in the first place lack of cinemas (19%), pubs, restaurants and cafes (10,3%) as well as sports facilities (9%). Later, community culture centres were mentioned (7,8%), understood as music centres, libraries, centres for children.



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The respondents were also asked to express their opinions about the role of culture as one of the elements in the process of the city’s development.

90,1 % people are convinced that culture is an important factor in Lublin’s development. 3,9% of the interviewed people do not agree with this opinion.

Popularization, organization and exposition of culture are regarded as activities which can contribute to positive image of the city in Polish and European eyes. This, in turn, may contribute to the citizens’ quality of life, since a city focused on culture is more attractive for both its citizens and tourists. Culture also builds stronger relation with the dwelling place, which, in long run, improves the image of the city.



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Summary: - The citizens’ preferences for various forms of culture indicate popular and mass character of culture.- Interest and participation in higher culture is declared only by a very small number of people (almost half of the respondents admit that they do not go to classical music concerts, lectures or art galleries at all).- The respondents usually take part in social gatherings and parties, spend their leisure time in pubs and restaurants and go to the cinema or concerts of other than classical music. - The most important cultural events organized in Lublin before June 2009 were: Student Culture Days, The Night of Culture, concerts of famous artists A.M. Jopek, Kult, T. Stanko, Audiofeels, WOSP, New Year’s Eva concert), plays (La Traviata, The Emigrants, The Haunted Manor, Metro) and sport events (Tour de Pologne, football and handball matches).



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- The respondents know about cultural events organized in Lublin mostly from official streams of information such as: posters, billboards and flyers, then family and friends, newspapers and magazines, web portals and radio stations.- Among deficiencies of the city’s cultural institutions, the respondents above all listed poor sport infrastructure, lack of opera house, concert hall for philharmonic orchestra and theatres.- On the level of districts and neighborhoods, however, the respondents mentioned lack of cinemas, pubs, restaurants, cafes and sport facilities. There were also listed community culture centres, music centres, libraries and centres for children.



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- In all the contexts discussed, there was more favorable opinions than the negative ones describing the changes of the city’s cultural offer which took place over the last year (availability of the events, variety, quality, quantity, information about the events) - from 6% to 13% discontented people and as much as 39% up to 47% satisfied.- Nine out of the respondents (90,1%) is convinced that culture is an important factor in Lublin’s development. Only 3,9% of the interviewed people shares opposite views.



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Lublin – Multicultural city

For many centuries national and religious minorities have been present in Lublin’s history. By its dissimilarity of religion and customs, this important element of the past has largely influenced the city’s image. Even today it is an important part of Lublin’s cultural landscape.


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According to the materials gathered, exactly half of the respondents (50,4%) declared knowledge of multicultural and religious history of the city. This group mostly consists of „connoisseurs of culture” and average citizens (secondary school children and students are in minority), middle aged respondents and the elders, as well as higher educated people.



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What places in Lublin are related to other nationalities or religions and what facts or situations do they remind of?

(N=687)

Nationality/religion: (%) What facts or situations do they remind of?

The Jewish 69,5State Museum at Majdanek, former citizens of the Old Town, The Jewish Cemetery, holocaust, persecutions

The Lithuanians 14,7 The Union of Lublin

The Ukrainians 4,3 Orthodox churches, the WW2, persecutions

Members of the Orthodox Church 3,2 Orthodox churches

The Germans 3,0 The WW2, place of worship, Museum at Majdanek

The Russians 2,3 The Old Town, the WW2

Others (the Tatars, the Americans, the Arabs, the Romanians, the Christians) 3,0 Former citizens of the Old Town, the WW2

Total 100 ----



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Places in contemporary Lublin associated with other cultures and religions (N=745)

(%)

Places of religious worship (churches, synagogues) 24,6

The camp and the Museum at Majdanek 19,6

The Jewish Cemetery 18,4

The Old Town 8,4

Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva 7,2

The Castle 4,3

The NN Theatre 4,0

Litewski Square 2,6

Jewish tenement houses 2,4

Other (Centre of Jewish Culture, cemetery on Lipowa St., monuments, Grodzka Gate, frescoes in the Castle, the Trail of the Lublin Jews, pubs and restaurants: Zydowska, Irish Pub, Mc Donald’s)

8,7




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Multicultural Lublin, as it was mentioned before, is a project which emphasizes and promotes tolerance and intercultural dialogue. That is why respondents were asked about events promoting culture of a different nation or religion which were organized over the last year in Lublin. Every third respondent (37,3%) knows that some events promoting different culture took place in Lublin. 8,8% expressed the opposite opinion. However, over half of Lublin citizens (54,0%) find it difficult to answer this question. This fact can be interpreted as either lack of interest in this area or insufficient promotion campaign.



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The respondents who declared their interest in this topic were asked about their participation in the events. Therefore, from a group of 514 people aware of the events promoting different culture in Lublin over the last year, 32,2% confirmed their participation. Two third did not take part in the events – 64,1% and 3,7% found it hard to determine precisely their participation.



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People, who declared their knowledge of the events presenting culture of a different nation or religion held in the city were asked to name them. There were several examples mentioned. The most popular answers were: International Film Festivals „Crossroads of Europe”, Ukraine Culture Days, International Days of Folklore, Jagiellonian Fair.



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Events promoting culture of a different nation or religion organized in Lublin (N=514)

(%)

International Film Festivals „Crossroads of Europe” 18,3

Ukraine Culture Days 15,9

International Days of Folklore 12,8

Jagiellonian Fair 10,3

Festival of Jewish culture 6,9

Central Europe Theatre Festival „The Neighbours” 4,5

Symposia and conferences 4,5

Festival of Dialogue of Four Cultures 2,8

Other (happenings, concerts, stage and musical performances, International Organ Festival, „Mikołajki Folkowe” International Folk Festival, Ukrainian Night, way of the Cross at Majdanek, Student Culture Days)

24,1

Total 100



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5,4%4,5%

1,6%

1,6%

5,7%

1,7%2,0%

2,1%

2,8%

3,4%

3,5%

3,7%

4,1%

4,1%

4,4%

1,3%

5,5%

19,1%

9,2%

7,6%

6,7%

The UkrainiansThe AmericansThe AfricansThe RomaniansThe RussiansThe IndiansThe RomaniThe ByelorussiansThe TurksThe ArabsThe IsraeliThe ChineseThe GermansThe BritishTheChechensThe AsiansThe KoreansThe VietnameseThe BulgariansThe JapaneseOthers

What nationalities do you nowadays see in Lublin?

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What nationalities do you spot nowadays in Lublin?

Where?/ In what places?

The Ukrainians Places of trade, universities, neighbourhoods

The Americans Entertainment places, universities, neighbourhoods

The Africans „in the city”, entertainment places, universities

The Romanians „in the city”, places of trade, neighbourhoods

The Russians Places of trade, catering

The Indians Entertainment places, „in the city”, universities

The Romani Neighbourhoods, „in the city”

The Byelorussians Places of trade, universities, neighbourhoods

The Turks Catering

The Arabs Catering, entertainment places

The Israeli Historical places, necropolises

The Chinese Places of trade, universities

The GermansHistorical places, necropolises, entertainment places, „in the city”,

The British Entertainment places, „in the city”, universities

The ChechensHistorical places, necropolises, entertainment places, neighbourhoods, „in the city”

The Asians Catering, entertainment places

The Koreans Entertainment places, places of trade

The Vietnamese Places of trade, neighbourhoods, catering

The Bulgarians Neighbourhoods, places of trade, universities

The Japanese Neighbourhoods, „in the city”, universities

Other nationalities Neighbourhoods, universities, entertainment places



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The places in Lublin where foreigners’ presence is noticed are above all schools and universities. Then, respondents suggested that the foreigners are simply their closer ore more distant neighbours. Paid work in „places of trade” and „catering” are next options mentioned in the context of places where other nationalities are seen. Other categories found in the survey are „entertainment places”, that is places where people spend their free time, „in the city” – not specified public spaces, as well as places associated with worship and commemoration, necropolises, museums, places of tradition and martyrdom.



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What nationalities do you notice nowadays in Lublin?(N=1145)

What do they do?

The Ukrainians Work, trade, live, study

The Americans Study, party

The Africans Party, study, live,

The Romanians beg

The Russians Work, trade, live

The Indians Party, study

The Romani Beg, live

The Byelorussians Study, live

The Turks Work, trade, study

The Arabs Party, live, work, trade

The Israeli travel

The Chinese Study, work, trade, party

The Germans travel

The British Travel, party

The Chechens Live, beg

The Asians Work, trade, live, party

The Koreans Live, work, trade, party

The Vietnamese Live, work, trade

The Bulgarians Work, trade, travel, study

The Japanese Travel, study

Other nationalities Live, party, study



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According to the data above, the foreigners have become a natural element of Lublin’s social landscape. They are not distant and exotic people any more, as they used to be two decades ago. Their presence is associated mostly with places and types of activity improving their qualifications („universities”, „study”) and paid work („places of trade”, „catering”). However, people also acknowledge their presence because the foreigners live in the same neighbourhoods. In fact, it is optimistic news, since nothing overcomes stereotypes as direct contact.



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Summary:

- According to the citizens, Lublin is a multicultural city in terms of tradition and contemporary reality. - Over a half of the respondents values the city's rich tradition and associates in with multicultural character of this heritage. - Most of the people notice in their social environment the presence of other nationalities and religions.- They present open attitude and general acceptance towards the foreigners.- When describing the foreigners’ presence in their social environment, they mostly use favourable arguments.- Every third respondent stated that he knows about cultural events promoting ethnic and religious minorities organized in Lublin.- Over one third of people see in the multicultural character of the city an opportunity for development.



35Participation of Lublin citizens in culture (Sociological Research Report), Department of Sociology of Culture and Education MCSU, Lublin 2009.

Lublin – European Capital of Culture 2016

From among 1397 respondents almost three fourth (72,2%) know that Lublin is taking part in the competition for the title of European Capital of Culture 2016.

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Where did you find information about Lublin’s candidature for ECC 2016?(N=995) The respondents could select more than one source

(%)

Posters/ billboards/ flyers 51

Family/ friends 29

Newspapers/ magazines (Kurier Lubelski, Dziennik Wschodni, Moje Miasto Lublin, Gazeta Wyborcza, ZOOM) 29

Local TV station 27

The Internet(lublin2016.pl, koziolek.pl, lublin.eu, kurierlubelski.pl, mmlublin.pl, onet.pl, wp.pl, gazeta.pl)

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Radio Radio Lublin, Centrum, Eska, Radio Zet, Złote Przeboje 17

Public TV stations TVN, TVP1, Trwam 5




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The idea of Lublin as European Capital of Culture 2016 was accepted by most of Lublin citizens. Eight out of ten respondents (86,0%) speak in favour of this project. Furthermore, over a half of the respondents (55,2%) declare their explicit support for this idea. Only a small part of Lublin citizens was less enthusiastic. Every ten respondent (10,8%) was uninterested in this matter and only 3,1% share negative opinion.



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What are Lublin strengths that can contribute to winning the title of European Capital of Culture? (N=1397) (%)

University character of the city (universities, students, young people) 21,9

Architecture and sights (Old Town) 20,1

Culture (tolerance and open attitude, extensive tradition, multiculturalism, regional culture) 11,3

Geographical location (Gate of the East, eastern metropolis, the centre of Europe) 6,9

The history of the city 3,6

Infrastructure (airport under construction, green areas, modernization of roads, hotels, shopping centres) 2,2

Cultural events 1,6

Lack of strengths 0,9

Promotion of the city (international publicity, the Municipality’s efforts) 0,8

Other (Lublin has never organized such a big event, the weather, fresh, air, tourists, slower pace of life, the citizens) 3,8

Hard to say 26,8

Total 100



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What are Lublin’s weaknesses that can hinder the winning of the European Capital of Culture title? (N=1397) (%)

Road infrastructure of the city and public transport (bad connection to the city centre, traffic jams, bad location of the bus station, lack of new bus links within the city, no underground, insufficient parking spaces) 23,3

Promotion of the city (insufficient contacts with other countries and cities, lack of ideas for promotion, unsatisfactory promotion in Poland and abroad, inefficient authorities, no plan of development) 11,7

The city’s offer (lack of hotels, uninteresting architecture, squalid neighbourhoods) 10,1

Economy (unused EU financial resources, unemployment, lack of industrial initiatives, impoverished region, slow development of the region) 8,9

Geographical location 4,4

Communication infrastructure outside the city (no bypass or airport) 4,0

The citizens (intolerance, the citizens' lack of initiative, youth subcultures) 3,7

There are no weaknesses 0,3

Other (dirty streets, „no atmosphere”, crime, too few different than cultural events, too few concerts of „big stars”, poor sport infrastructure) 8,6

Hard to say 25,0

Total 100



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Summary:

- The data gathered show a sufficient level of knowledge and high level of acceptance for the idea of Lublin’s participation in the European Capital of Culture 2016.- The promotional campaign and steps taken to enhance the awareness of the ECC 2016 are realized the most successfully with the use of formal means of communication. People mostly find the information on billboards, flyers and posters.- There was no significant difference between favourable and negative opinions about Lublin’s assets and drawbacks in the run for the ECC 2016.- According to the respondents, the strengths related to university character of the city, architectural qualities and extensive tradition should be emphasized when promoting Lublin.


LUBLIN Participation of Lublin citizens in culture

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