Mankind and the Beskids – this relationship stretches back to prehistoric times. It was never easy – the mountains always posed a communication barrier, surviving another winter here was also challenging, and the soil was not particularly fertile. Yet, the connection between man and the mountains persisted for millennia, leaving its mark on the landscape, with varying degrees of force.

Bielsko-Biała, a city of 175,000 inhabitants in southern Poland, lies at the foot of the Beskid Mountains, on the Biała River, which for centuries separated historic Silesia from Lesser Poland. Today, associated primarily with the automotive and electrical industries, until recently it was the second center of Polish textile production after Łódź. It comprises two formerly separate urban centers and 11 rural communes, gradually annexed from 1925 to 1977.

Few industries were as closely linked to ancient Austria as the production of bentwood furniture, which was commonly known internationally as "Viennese furniture." Cieszyn Silesia and the neighboring areas of western Galicia, which remained within the Habsburg Monarchy until 1918, played a significant role in this industry. The vast forest complexes of the Beskid Mountains abounded with the beechwood essential for production.

For a very long time, since the 19th century, Bielsko has been an economic leader on the European map. It was here that one of the first waterworks in Europe was built over 130 years ago, and the power plant built in those pioneering days enabled the construction of a tram line in 1895, also one of the first investments of its kind. Alongside Łódź, Bielsko became a center of the wool industry. Simultaneously, other economic sectors developed, hence Bielsko's later nickname, "The City of a Hundred Industries."

The history of dreams of flying like birds dates back to ancient times, and the most famous example is the myth of Daedalus and Icarus. In the 12th century, the English philosopher Roger Bacon described the possibilities of human flight in his treatise. Leonardo da Vinci presented significant work in this field in his notes and sketches of design solutions, exploring this creatively and scientifically between 1490 and 1519.

Craftsmanship is based on heritage and strives for perfection. Any attempt to use craftsmanship to further external goals, ideas, and programs disrupts this balance and results in a loss of the intangible dimension of heritage.

As in previous editions, this time too, we received an invitation to publish as part of the ARTING program. As representatives of the Faculty of Industrial Design, we are happy about this opportunity, especially since the slogan of this year's edition - Heritage - is related to the educational offer of the faculty, implemented in the Alternative Design Studio.

Wool is a material deeply rooted in Polish culture. As recently as the first half of the 20th century, woolen products were mass-produced in Poland's two main textile centers – Bielsko-Biała and Łódź. Wool "lived" thanks to folk crafts. Kilims, folk costumes, rugs, and hats were Cepelia's exports. Presented and sold in the Cooperative's exclusive boutiques, including the one on New York's famous 5th Ave., they enjoyed great popularity and helped shape Poland's image abroad.

The Gorolsko Swoboda microregion was established in May 2007 by two non-governmental organizations
from the Czech Republic and Poland and the local government from Slovakia, respectively the Local Circle of the Polish Cultural and Educational Association in Jablunkov, the Branch of the Silesian Highlanders of the Podhale Association and the Oszczadnica commune.