Mikołaj Rykowski, founder of the “Wolne Miejsce” Foundation, which organizes Christmas Eve dinners and Easter breakfasts “Without Loneliness” in 47 centers across Poland – including the largest one in Katowice – told Niezalezna: “In Katowice, we prepared meals for at least 3,000 people. The vast majority of guests came to us and joined us in the main hall, while we delivered meals to some residents ourselves. If someone cannot attend due to their health condition, we bring Easter breakfast to their home, so that every person who reached out to us is cared for during the holidays and is not alone.”
“Because our work makes people smile”
Participants gathered today at the beautifully decorated International Congress Centre in Katowice. Everything was festively arranged, and on Holy Saturday volunteers began work at 4 a.m. They set up tables, decorated the stage, and prepared the Tomb of Christ for the performance. Today, volunteers also welcomed guests, handed out holiday cards, coupons for sweet gifts, and invited them to tables with baskets of Easter eggs.
“We are here as a whole family. My son Mateusz with his wife Wiktoria and our 10-month-old granddaughter Aleksandra welcomed the guests. Like my daughter Katarzyna, I worked in the table-setting section. My wife Elżbieta is in the cleaning team. Why are we here? Why do we cooperate with the ‘Wolne Miejsce’ Foundation? Because our work makes people smile. That is priceless!” says Aleksander Nycz from Bielsko-Biała.
Nearby, dressed in historical Roman-era costumes, Pilate, his wife, and their daughter gladly posed for photos. They are not professional actors, but while performing in the Passion Play staged annually in Katowice, they felt great pride. The same goes for Aleksandra, who works as a private entrepreneur on a daily basis.
“I played a soldier who pushes and whips Jesus. It is a very difficult role, but I am glad I could perform for the guests, especially since the play was very well received,” she explains.
“I wished those gathered to discover the meaning of life”
The meeting began with greetings and a joint prayer.
“Above all, I wished those gathered to discover the meaning of life, even when one is lonely, disabled, or homeless. That is the mystery of Easter – there is the cross, but beyond it – on the other side – there is immense hope and meaning. Even difficult situations have it,”
says Archbishop Andrzej Przybylski, Metropolitan of Katowice, to Niezalezna.
“And for myself and for the whole world on this occasion, I wish for peace. I am always struck by the fact that the Risen Lord comes out of the tomb and does not say: ‘Good morning.’ He does not wish us health. He says: ‘Peace be with you.’ Today, I do not need to explain in how many dimensions we all need peace. How much unrest there is among people who are lonely and struggling with various problems… How much unrest there is between us and in the world. Today, Easter Sunday is a great message of peace. I wish everyone the ability to overcome themselves and to speak with another person – but this stems from the message of the Resurrection. The next words of the Risen Lord Jesus are: ‘Do not be afraid.’
“Loneliness tends to close us off in fear of others. That is why we are glad that so many people come to the Easter Breakfast, that they overcome the barriers of isolation and loneliness. More and more people who are not poor, but lonely, have the courage to go out and meet others. That is the kind of courage I would wish for everyone. We do not have to be alone. We can overcome loneliness, even at gatherings like the one here in Katowice today.”
Atmosphere and people matter most
The breakfast featured traditional dishes: sour rye soup with egg and sausage, Easter eggs, roasted white sausage with onions, and vegetable salads. The meal ended with delicious cakes, coffee, and tea. But the most important element was warmth and kindness.
“Why are we here? I regularly take part in activities and workshops at the ‘Wolne Miejsce’ Foundation in Katowice – I like going there. There is a great atmosphere. Last year I attended the Christmas Eve meeting, and now I took part in the Easter breakfast. I feel good here,” says Barbara Kusz from Świętochłowice, sitting at the table with Ms. Krystyna. They have already become friends.
Just like Anna Mosur and Anna Olejnik from Katowice. Both are widows and did not want to spend the holidays alone. The Easter Breakfast “Without Loneliness” enables contact with others and creates a sense of connection and community.
“Everyone who reached out to us was taken care of”
“In Katowice, we prepared meals for at least 3,000 people. The vast majority of guests came to us and joined us in the main hall, while we delivered meals to some residents ourselves,” says Mikołaj Rykowski, founder of the “Wolne Miejsce” Foundation.
“Those who cannot benefit on-site are supported by having breakfast delivered to their homes. If someone cannot attend due to their health condition, we bring them a meal so that every person who reached out to us is cared for during the holidays and is not alone. We started delivering meals during COVID, when we could not invite guests to large halls, so we began visiting lonely individuals as volunteers. To this day, people who are too ill to come, but remain in contact with us, receive meals at home. However, we strongly encourage those who can join us to come, because being with others is more important than being with just one volunteer. We also try to help with transportation – our volunteers bring some people in. We want everyone who has the opportunity to take advantage of our invitation.”
“We operate in 47 centers across Poland”
Mikołaj Rykowski emphasizes that the “Wolne Miejsce” Foundation has been operating for 25 years, cooperating with 47 cities across Poland, organizing Christmas Eve dinners and Easter breakfasts.
“We are glad that more and more cities, mayors, and local leaders invite us to cooperate. We are present, for example, in Kołobrzeg, Olsztyn, Silesia, Warsaw, and Głuchołazy – areas heavily affected by flooding. There too, people could attend Easter ‘Without Loneliness’,” he adds.
It is worth noting that this year’s “Without Loneliness” Easter breakfast in Warsaw was funded by the Republika Foundation.