Barbórka 2025 in Bogdanka – a celebration of the work ethic, traditions and people who contribute to the strength of the Company
This year's Barbórka (St Barbara’s Day) celebrations at Lubelski Węgiel Bogdanka S.A. were exceptionally ceremonial.
The event was attended by representatives of the central government and institutions, including Krzysztof Komorski, Governor of Lubelskie Voivodeship, Grzegorz Wrona, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of State Assets, and Professor Dudek from the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland. The event was hosted by the Management Board of Lubelski Węgiel "Bogdanka" S.A.
On 4 December at 6:00 a.m., the miners' orchestra traditionally woke up the inhabitants of Łęczna, initiating the festival of the patron of miners across the city. At 9.00 a.m. a solemn mass for the intention of miners and their families was celebrated at St Joseph the Protector of Families Church in Łęczna, presided over by the Archbishop of Lublin, Stanisław Budzik. The common prayer was an important, reflective moment of Barbórka - the time to reflect on the responsibility of mining work, safety underground and the importance of solidarity and mutual support in daily service.
The highlight of the celebrations was the traditional Barbórka Academy, during which employees and individuals with particular contributions to mining and to our company were honoured. The awards and distinctions presented recognised the long-standing, responsible and demanding work performed every day underground.
Barbórka is the most important day of the year for our entire mining community. This is the moment when we express our gratefulness to employees for their daily hard and responsible work. For your professionalism, for your commitment and for the ability to work together in difficult conditions, with your and your colleagues’ safety in mind. Bogdanka is a strong company today, but its strength is first and foremost driven by its people. That is what I would like to thank you for with all my heart.
– Zbigniew Stopa, President of the Management Board of LW “Bogdanka” S.A., said at the ceremony.
Distinctions and awards
Numerous medals for long service, badges of honour, as well as mining insignia - swords, rapiers and daggers - were presented at this year's Barbórka celebrations. Persons of particular merit for mining safety and mine rescue were also honoured. Awards were also granted to representatives of the community around the “Solidary Miners” Foundation and the rescuers of the Central Mine Rescue Station.
A special moment during the Academy was the presentation of honorary “Kryka” [in Silesian dialect” a stick] – awards granted to individuals deeply associated with Bogdanka, including both Company employees and external partners.
The Barbórka celebrations at Bogdanka have been more than just an official ceremony for years. It is a symbol of continuity between generations, respect for tradition and the values that build up the mining community. This year's celebrations once again showed how strongly the ethos of work, solidarity and mutual responsibility are embedded in Bogdanka's daily life.
Lubelski Węgiel Bogdanka S.A. is a leading hard coal producer in Poland that stands apart from its peers in terms of its modern and efficient mining. It is one of the largest Polish hard coal mines. Lubelski Węgiel Bogdanka S.A. chiefly conducts mining operations in terms of hard coal extraction, enrichment and sales. It supplies this raw material mainly to industrial offtakers. Supply contracts are long-term, and the product is sold to the commercial power sector and the industrial power sector.
The company has been listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange since June of 2009. In August 2022, Lubelski Węgiel Bogdanka S.A. returned to listing on the WIG-ESG Index.
Since October of 2015 Bogdanka has been a member of the Enea Group, the second largest player on Poland’s electrical power market in terms of the generation of electricity, which manages the entire value chain on the electricity market ranging from fuel to the generation of electricity, distribution, sales (supply) and customer service.