CHINICE SYMBOL SAINT HOLY BOMBRY

Who and when came up with the idea of ​​decorating a Christmas tree? This is still not sure. According to some researchers, the Christmas tree introduced the saint as the symbol of Christmas in the eighth century. Boniface. Others think that this idea came up with Martin Luther, who strolled through the forest at night, saw glittering frost and the outlines of stars piercing through the branches of trees. Still others think that the Christmas custom originates directly from the medieval mystery tradition, which was exhibited on the eve of the birth of Jesus, and during which coniferous trees were an important decoration. Regardless of what the genesis is, it is certain that thanks to Protestants, it is customary to decorate a Christmas tree, widespread especially in Alsace, and in the 16th century it began to spread throughout Germany. The decorated Christmas tree hit Poland at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, quickly gaining recognition and replacing the much older Slavic tradition of decorating the sheaves of grain. Initially, the Christmas trees were decorated with fruits, mainly apples. Later, more and more often sweets, gingerbread and candles, and finally lamps and glass baubles.

Today, baubles are one of the most important symbols of Christmas - says Janusz Prus, president of Vitbis, which is the largest producer of Christmas decorations in Europe. - They are also one of the most recognizable Polish export products.

It is true. Christmas balls from Poland decorate Christmas trees, among others in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Great Britain and the United States. They are also increasingly asked by sellers from Asian countries.

BOMBKI - POLISH SPECIALTY

The first bomb factory in Poland was built before World War II in the vicinity of Częstochowa. However, the real flourishing of the industry did not take place until 1949, when an exhibition of artistic handicrafts was organized in Sopot.

Polish baubles appealed to visitors and customers so much that in the course of a few years, about fifty large plants were built in Poland, which exported their products mainly to the American market - explains Janusz Prus. - That's when our factory in Złotoryja was also established.

The location of the plant in Lower Silesia was not accidental. In 1951, the communist authorities decided to build a copper smelter in Legnica. The wives of the steelworks workers and the wives of the miners from the "Lena" and "Konrad" mines were to find employment in the production of Christmas balls and decorations. And that's how it happened. In 1953, production started. Years passed, the political and economic system changed in Poland, and the plant changed its owner. Only one thing has changed. The recipe for the production of glass balls.

HOW DO BOMBS CREATE?

In the Złotoryja factory, baubles are made by hand. The plant employs nearly two hundred people, the majority of whom are real artists who can make real miracles out of glass. Regardless of the final shape, everything starts with a glass tube.

The blower takes this tube and heats it in the burner at a temperature of about 1000 ° C and form the so-called. mold - explains Miranda Leszczyńska - head of the Blasting Department. - Then, by blowing and turning, it gives it a selected shape, most often a sphere.

The finished and cooled, transparent glass bubbles are then transported to silver. Here, experienced employees make the surface of the ornament turn into a spherical mirror.

silver nitrate is injected into the bait together with the reducer - Krzysztof Pękala explains - Then the employee submerges a bubble in a special bathtub with water at 60 ° C. Such a bath causes silver to precipitate on the walls of the baubles.

This, however, is just the beginning, because the true splendor of the bauble takes place only in the department of decorating. Here in the hands of real painters, each bauble transforms into a work of art.

Decorating one bauble lasts from a few seconds to even several minutes. Some of the bubbles need to be painted several times, and only when they dry, you can decorate them with diamond dust, shiny beads, or other decorations.

Inspiration and designs with which we decorate Christmas balls, we look for in the fashion world - says Błażej Prus - Export Manager Vitbis sp. O.o. - Fashion applies to both clothes and trends in decorating interiors, because fashion first changes in clothes, then in furnishings and interior decoration, and finally comes to the baubles.

The final stage is packing the baubles. Depending on the size and model, the baubles are packed in boxes containing two or four to a dozen or so pieces.

In the season, when production is in full swing in our department, 30 packers work - says Dorota Lęba - head of packing department. - Ready-made boxes, in bulk packages are later transported to customers.