Article describing the village of Cebrów near Tarnopol, where another T.S.L. People's House was built on the initiative of, among others, Governor Malicki. The house received the patronage of General Śmigły-Rydz. The text also describes extensively the dedication ceremony of this building (Source: "Wschód", Lviv 1937, no. 66, p. 1, after: Jagiellonian Digital Library).

A modernised reading of the text

A new focus of Polish culture: The TSL People's House named after Marshal Smigly-Rydz in Cebrów near Tarnopol.

Cebrów, a village near Tarnopol, has a beautiful People's House. It was built thanks to the efforts of local citizens, helped in the first steps by the then starost, chairman of the Board of Trustees of People's Houses and Chapels, today's governor, Mr Malicki. A large, imposing building was erected in the middle of the village, visible from the railway platform, notable for its size, tall and bright. The inhabitants of Cebrowa decided to name their Folk House after Marshal Śmigły-Rydz.

So they wrote a request to the Marshal and expressed the hope that he might come to the dedication ceremony of the Folk House, or send his representative. Successful news was received from Warsaw that Marshall Śmigły-Rydz agreed to name the House after him, and at the same time a notification was received that the Marshal would be represented by the Corps Commander, General Tokarzewski-Karaszewicz.

So a few days ago, the dedication of the People's House in Cebrów took place. On the first cold day of winter, numerous guests headed for Cebrovo. Military troops under the command of officers came from Ternopil, three companies of riflemen marched under arms, a military band arrived, and numerous delegates of educational, social and economic organisations came. Cebrów had probably never seen so many people, such a bustle, such a celebration.

Invited guests came by train from Ternopil and from Zborov and Jeziemia. The people of Cebrovo had prepared very carefully for this party. The main roads were sanded, they worked all night to make sure everything was in order. A triumphal gate was put up with the heartfelt inscription: "Welcome". The whole village brooded on its main thoroughfare, awaiting the arrival of military and civilian officials, people came from neighbouring villages to take part in the first celebration of its kind - arguably.

A band of horses, made up of local peasants, rode out to meet the representatives of the authorities. Meanwhile, a procession of military and civilian vehicles set off from Ternopil in time for the first stage of the ceremony: the service. At the triumphal gate, the elders of Cebrovo, led by Mayor Pietras, gathered. The army and the Riflemen present their weapons, the banners are bowed, the Cebrow enters.

REPRESENTATIVE OF MARSHAL POLAND ŚMIGŁY-RYDZ.

General Tokarzewski. He is accompanied by Governor Malicki and a whole host of government representatives. The General and the Governor are welcomed with the traditional bread and salt and a speech by Mayor Pietras. Two children welcome the guests with a short declamation. Everyone gathers at the triumphal gate.

With General Tokarzewski came Colonel Dipl. Paszkiewicz, Lieutenant Colonel Pokorny and Major Zemanek from Lviv, then came the chairwoman of the Rural Housewives' Circles of the voivodship, Malicka, the head of Klimczak, Starosta Adamski, the president of the city of Lviv. Other guests present at the meeting included: the president of Ternopil and chairman of the Camp of National Unity (Obóz Zjednoczenia Narodowego), deputy mayor of Ternopil Pavlovski, councillor Kuderewicz, director of the secondary school Pytel, sub-inspector Syrek, representatives of the TSL: Prof. Joch, secretary Mazur and Wisiecki, and finally numerous delegates from social, cultural and economic organisations. Also present are Mr and Mrs Garapich, owners of the Cebrów estate.

The service takes place in a modest and poor wooden chapel. Pastor Białowąs from Jeziemia greets the representatives of the authorities at the entrance to the temple and the service begins, celebrated by Father Zawadecki from Kozłów. At the same time, a service is also held in the local church, celebrated by Rev. Dean Fedoryshyn of Jeziemia. The slim church cannot accommodate the several thousand participants in the celebrations.

So they gather in the courtyard and around the People's House, at the crossroads on the nearby hills. A procession, led by Polish and Ruthenian priests, leaves and heads for the primary school, whose newly erected building is about to be consecrated. General Tokarzewski and Governor Malicki take part at the head of this solemn procession, followed by crowds of the village population.

And again the whole procession passes along the front of the military and riflemen's troops, towards the school. Priests consecrate the building, go around the halls and say prayers. A speech is made by the sub-inspector of the school from Ternopil, Mr Syrek, who emphasises the solemn moment, when the school is given the unique opportunity to start teaching in the presence of a representative of the Marshal of Poland and the governor of Ternopil. The representative of the school authority pointed out the difficulties in which the schoolchildren are taught and brought up to be good citizens, and the efforts of society and the authorities, which put a lot into education and training. During the construction of the school, the people of cebrowa were helpful by selflessly offering their labour.

Indeed, the Cebroiviv public school is impressive, the classrooms are spacious and bright, and the young people have the opportunity to study in very good conditions. After the consecration of the school building, the march led by General Tokarzewski and Governor Malicki set off again towards the TSL People's House. Here, once again, the entire population gathered around the House, with military and rifle units lined up, groups of PW youth and all the guests who had arrived.

The priests consecrated the building. From the steps at the entrance to the People's House, Rev. Pastor Białowąs was the first to speak, expressing thanks to the population for the honour that had fallen to Cebrów, which can boast the presence of a representative of Polish Marshal Śmigły-Rydz in the person of General Tokarzewski. The parish priest's speech was punctuated by accents raising the collective effort of the people in the borderlands, who are working to strengthen the frontiers of the Republic and consolidate the foundations of Polish statehood. Legionary Cwynar spoke on behalf of the population of Cebrow and also thanked the representatives of the authorities for their participation in this memorable ceremony for Cebrow. General Tokarzewski-Karaszewicz, in turn, gave a speech in which he illustrated the efforts of the entire population in the eastern borderlands and encouraged further work.

On behalf of the Lord Marshal of Poland, General Tokarzewski wished the best results in cultural and educational work, pointing out the role of the Polish peasantry. Other speeches were made by Governor Malicki, President Widacki, calling on the population to work hard for themselves, the state and society. The people listened to all the speeches in concentration and raised shouts in honour of the President of the Republic, Marshal Śmigły-Rydz, General Tokarzewski and Governor Malicki. The orchestra played the National Anthem. It should be noted that the entire Polish and Ukrainian population took part in the ceremony.

They resided in Cebrów and the surrounding villages. In turn, there was a symbolic handing over of the keys of the Marszalek Śmigły-Rydz TSL People's House, which were presented to the present President of the Provincial Board of Trustees for the Construction of People's Houses, Churches and Chapels, Colonel Dipl. Paszkiewicz. These keys were presented by Colonel Paszkiewicz to the TSL Board President Widacki, who was present.

The housewives of Cebrowa, with Mrs Chałupkowa, wife of the stationmaster, and Mrs Rabowa, wife of the commander of the PP post, organised a breakfast in the hall of the Folk House, which was attended by all the guests. Speakers at the breakfast included the starost Mr Adamski, Mr Garapich and the secretary Mr Mazur. At the same time, the military field kitchens served a soldier's cauldron lunch for the army and the Riflemen. At the end there was a folk party.

With the participation of the inhabitants of Cebrow. In Podolia, in the Ternopil province, a social action has been going on for a number of years, aiming to build People's Houses, Churches and Chapels. The results of this action are very good, the network of People's Houses is growing, the population increasingly understands the need to organise themselves, to gather under a common roof and to work collectively. The People's Houses - as General Tokarzewski emphasised in his speech in Cebrów - must have a spirit, a rich programme of work and are open to all: to Poles and to Ruthenians or Ukrainians.