Marek Lewoc: Do you usually wear jeans?

Aleksandra Urbańczyk, a record holder and the champion of Poland, the medallist of the European championships in swimming: Yes, like the majority of people. Jeans are a basic outfit, you can put them on every day; I sometimes wear skirts in the summer but I wear jeans almost every day.

What would you say about the EC1 trousers, then? Have you tried them on yet?

Yes, I did. To be honest, I took the men’s ones because those for ladies didn’t fit me. They are very comfortable, though you should wear them for some time because they tend to be stiff at first. They are thick enough, perfect for autumn or winter. I like to wear classics, so I am sure the trousers are not going to end up in the corner of my wardrobe. I will use the box, too- it’s very interesting. I’ve heard it won an award (the main prize in the all-Poland Art of Packaging 2007 competition – M.L.).

What did you feel when you were asked to participate in the ‘EC1 Jeans build culture’ campaign?

It’s really nice that someone still remembers me and appreciates what I am doing. I am happy I can take part in this big event for Łódź – construction of the New Centre of Łódź.

Are you normally interested in this project?

I’ve got really interested in what is going on around Łódź. In fact, when you take part in the international competition, representing Poland is on the first place. But the city you come from is important for everyone. I’m a sportswoman – I’m not really into culture and art. But as far as the culture of the city and its inhabitants is concerned, I support all the initiatives. I live in the centre of Łódź; I travel a lot and use the Łódź Fabryczna station, so it will be more pleasant for me to leave from the new station, not this ruin of building which is now standing there.

Was it easy for you to choose the 20 people that should be given the EC1 trousers?

It was very difficult. I wanted to choose the people which wouldn’t be unrecognizable, unfamiliar, but those who achieved something in their lives and gave something to the city, those you could hear about. The point is not the jeans themselves but the honour of those people so that others can recognize them. If I was given a simple pen but knew that they appreciate me, I’d be also happy.

What criteria did you have for the choice?

Because of the fact I was the only sportsperson chosen to take part in the campaign, I somehow wanted to extend the number of sportspeople to be given the jeans. Those are the people the sport lovers are already familiar with. I’ll list a few of them. Above all, my colleagues: Mateusz Matczak and Marcin Babuchowski. I have thought about the athletes: Sylwester Bednarek, the brown medallist of the last world championships in light athletics and Piotr Kędzia. I have also picked Artur Partyka, a person known to every citizen of Łódź. I have used the opportunity that the basketball player Marcin Gortat is now in Poland. I’ve also chosen Marek Kondraciuk, the sports journalist of ‘Dziennik Łódzki.’ I wanted to honour him not only for how great a journalist he is, but for how great a man he actually is. He intends to present the most interesting information, and writes very thoughtful articles about Polish sport. As far as education is concerned, I’ve chosen the headmaster of the High School no. 3 in Łódź, Mrs Mariola Włodarczyk, as well as the chancellor of the Higher School of Informatics, Aniela Bednarek. She constantly expands her activity, opening new junior high schools, and it is thanks to her that the new medical center in Głowno came to existence.

How would you interpret the statement: ‘trousers build culture’?

Somebody has chosen fifteen people, which would then choose another twenty to wear the EC1 trousers. It’s all about the people that create this city, its history and culture. 
        
Interview by Marek Lewoc