Congress of the German-Polish Society of the UWr
The annual convention of the members of the German-Polish Society of the University of Wrocław took place on 10 and 11 May.
The first day of the Convention’s rich programme began with a guided tour of the National Museum, where works of Silesian art from the 12th/16th century were admired. This was followed by a tour of the Oppenheim House (Plac Solny 4), and another event was the traditional reception at the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, given by Consul General Martin Kremer and Society President Dr. Helmut Schöps. Members of the Society then visited the exhibition “Wrocław od roku 1945” (‘Wrocław since 1945’) at the “Remembrance and Future” Centre, Zajezdnia History Centre.
An exceptional culmination of the packed day was listening to a magnificent concert by the organist of Erfurt Cathedral, prof. Silvius von Kessel. The concert took place in St Elisabeth’s Church and the virtuoso played on the recently restored Engler organ.
On Saturday 11 May, the official part of the programme took place before noon. First, there was the meeting of the Society’s Executive Board and the Advisory Council in the Senate Hall of the University of Wrocław, followed by a formal meeting of the Society’s members in the baroque Aula Leopoldina of the University of Wrocław.
The guests were welcomed in the Leopoldina auditorium by the Rector of the UWr, prof. Robert Olkiewicz, and the President of the Society, dr Helmut Schöps.
A lecture entitled „Długi cień wojny“ (‘The long shadow of war’) by the Breslau-born writer and winner of the Dehio Prize (2022) Michael Zeller from Wuppertal was also heard. The topic was the writer’s reflections on war, including the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
In the evening, after the general meeting of the Society’s members in the Oratory Marianum, at the invitation of the Rector of the University of Wrocław, prof. Robert Olkiewicz, the participants met in the blossoming Botanical Garden. Concluding the annual meeting in such beautiful surroundings, Society members had the opportunity for numerous personal conversations.
