The rebuilt Rother’s Mills on Młyńska Island can now be visited, but the work in them will be completed in 2023. It is already known what will be housed in them. Will this offer be modifiable or supplemented?
The revitalized Mills are supposed to be filled with life by the “Park Kultury” – an institution established in 2019 by the city president. In this mission, the “Park” has its philosophy, emphasizing that the most important partner for the institution is the local community.
Collaboration on many levels
– That’s why we intend to and already cooperate with local artists, designers, craftsmen, and producers – says Anna Triebwasser, specialist in communication, who is also involved in the graphic support of “Park Kultury”. – We will, among other things, promote healthy regional food, design, craftsmanship, the heritage of our region. We also want to address issues related to climate protection, recycling, saving food and other essential products for life, and proper nutrition.
The Bydgoszcz institution has chosen “Mills under construction” as its guiding idea and slogan. This not only means the physical reconstruction of historical buildings, but also the organic work on the offer of Rother’s Mills.
“The first renovation and equipment works cost PLN 95 million, including PLN 25 million received from the EU by the city. The cost of arranging the Mills is estimated at about PLN 35 million. The next expenses will be PLN 5 million for the equipment of the Grain Granary – including PLN 2 million for the design and implementation of a permanent exhibition.”
In May 2021, the terrace with a fountain was opened. Work is underway to develop it, for which a competition will be announced. This impressive place, with its size and natural wood flooring, is intended to be a meeting place for workshops and concerts. There will also be exhibitions in the Grain Granary, Rother’s Mill, and the Flour Granary. The Grain Granary and Rother’s Mill will be opened in 2022, and the Flour Granary a year later.
Floor plan and program proposals
What will be in the entire complex? In the center, there will be Rother’s Mill, from which two wings of the Granaries depart. Here, you can buy tickets or get information about free visits.
Floor plan of the entire facility according to the “Park Kultury” concept:
- on the first floor of Rother’s Mill, there will be a conference room for about 150 people, and smaller spaces for intimate conferences will also be designed;
- the Mill-Machine exhibition will be an interactive display that will present the operation of the old mill and explain physical phenomena; participants will learn about the various stages of flour production, accompanied by sounds, scents, lights, and shadows; the exhibition is intended to be spectacular and unique on a global scale;
- the upper floors of Rother’s Mill and the Grain Granary will be dedicated to temporary exhibitions; here, not only the program teams of the Mills can show their initiative, but also non-governmental organizations, artistic collectives, freelancers, etc., which will create a field for building a diverse offer; there will also be the possibility of borrowing recognized national exhibitions;
- the viewing point will crown the Rother’s Mill building; from here, we will admire the panorama of Młyńska Island, the Old Town, and the Brda River; nearby there is also a terrace with a fountain and a historic chimney;
- The Mills will offer an integral gastronomic offer: tenants will have spaces available in both granaries, as well as two standalone buildings in the public area with a viewing terrace and a fountain, which used to serve as bathrooms and boiler rooms;
- the second main exhibition space will be an interactive and narrative story about the connections between Bydgoszcz and the Brda River since the 19th century, provoking discussion, sharing memories, and building local ties;
- another proposal will be the Brain Knowledge Center, a permanent exhibition addressed to both young people and adults, combining aspects of medicine, biology, and neuroscience, with lectures, meetings, workshops, and educational activities taking place here;
- The Mills are also intended to create a space for the development of creative
