Science is brave! Lower Silesian Science Festival 2025
This year’s edition of the Lower Silesian Science Festival (DFN) will take place in Wrocław from 13–20 September, and across the Lower Silesian region from 22 September to 31 October. As every year, scientists from the University of Wrocław have prepared a range of attractions for science enthusiasts, both young and fully grown, and the full Lower Silesian Science Festival 2025 programme can be found on the event’s website. We spoke with the DFN coordinator at the University of Wrocław, dr Aleksandra Ziober, about this year’s festival theme and the events awaiting participants.
The theme of the Lower Silesian Science Festival 2025 refers to the coronation of Poland’s first king, Bolesław the Brave. Could you remind us of the festival’s slogan?
Dr Aleksandra Ziober: This year’s slogan for the Lower Silesian Science Festival is “Nauka jest chrobra” (eng. “Science is Brave”), which, as you mentioned, obviously refers to the 1000th anniversary of Bolesław the Brave’s coronation. I believe it primarily reflects the idea that every scientist, or anyone seeking personal growth, should also demonstrate courage—just as our first king did.
Younger festival participants will probably need an explanation of what the word “brave” means in this context. Can we count on prof. Jan Miodek for that?
Yes. In September, as always, prof. Miodek will open the Lower Silesian Science Festival with one of his lectures, during which he will attempt to explain precisely the meaning in Polish of “chrobry” or “chrobra” (which means “brave” in English). For now, we can reveal that it refers to someone characterised by courage and determination, reflecting the qualities of a strong ruler such as Bolesław the Brave.
You are a historian, so this year’s festival must feel right up your street. Can we expect a focus on historical themes?
Indeed. When I heard that the main theme would be Bolesław the Brave’s coronation, I was delighted. In recent years, the festival had tended to favour the natural sciences or, occasionally, the social sciences. This year, historians, as well as representatives of other humanities disciplines, can really shine. We have a great many historical threads, but not exclusively. We want to showcase the interdisciplinary nature of science—history combined with other disciplines, such as the natural sciences, which help solve historical mysteries.
Today, collaboration between historians and specialists from other fields such as biology, genetics, and linguistics is essential. For example, will the question of the Slavs’ origins be addressed by the “Kostka” Student Scientific Association from the Faculty of Biological Sciences?
Yes, that’s correct. The lecture is intriguingly titled “Turbo-Slavs and Great Lechia”. Students from the Faculty of Biological Sciences will use genetics to explain the true origins of the Slavs. I think interdisciplinary science is now a leading trend. We historians increasingly draw on biological or social sciences, such as psychology or sociology, to solve the puzzles history presents. This will be very visible during this year’s Lower Silesian Science Festival.
What else have the University of Wrocław scientists prepared for the festival?
As always, we offer dozens of lectures, workshops, and seminars. It’s a very broad range of events, so there is truly something for everyone. The lectures and activities are tailored to all age groups, from the youngest children to seniors. Participation does not require membership in an academy or being a student; the events are open to everyone. Logistically, it’s important to note that some events require prior registration via the Lower Silesian Science Festival website. It would be hard to list all of the dozens of lectures and workshops taking place. Among the highlights are Professor Miodek’s lecture, a meeting with Kamil Janicki, a historian, blogger and vlogger, where attendees can discuss whether science is good or not, whether history is good or not. There will also be the 23rd Mathematical Marathon final. Another interesting feature is an exhibition at the University Library titled “The Millennium of the Polish Kingdom in the BUWr Collections”, showcasing manuscripts and ancient documents rarely available to the public. Finally, the IX Wrocław Dictation will take place, open to all Polish language enthusiasts.
The slogan “Science is brave” refers not only to King Bolesław but also aims to promote the role of science in the modern world and underline its authority in opposition to the many fake news and pseudo-experts present in the public sphere?
Absolutely. This is a very timely and important issue in today’s world. Thanks to the Internet and social media, we have access to countless sources of information. In reality, anyone can share knowledge on social media, but it is often unchecked or false. People commenting on a topic may not be specialists; sometimes they are hobbyists or deliberately distort data, not only historical but also from other scientific fields.
Translating the DFN 2025 slogan in this context, we could say that science is brave, science moves forward, but we must always rely primarily on experts who use proper, reliable sources and convey authentic knowledge.
And they must also adhere to proper work ethics.
Yes. As scientists, we strive to be as objective as possible. Of course, this can be very challenging, especially in the social or human sciences, but objectivity is a fundamental part of the historian’s or any scientist’s toolkit.
How did Bolesław the Brave’s coronation unfold? Do historians now know more about this event than before? Have any new findings emerged in recent years?
This topic was covered in one of the popularisation texts by prof. Stanisław Rosik from the University’s Historical Institute, published in a brochure prepared by the Lower Silesian Science Festival office. It explores when and how the coronation actually took place. The prevailing view is that it happened in 1025, which is why this year marks the millennium of the event. Some, however, suggest the year 1000, when Bolesław was not officially crowned but Otto III visited Gniezno on a pilgrimage and placed a diadem on his head—a symbolic act elevating Bolesław above other princes, a prelude to the future coronation.
The coronation was undoubtedly a landmark event. What did it mean for the average inhabitant of Poland at the time, for ordinary people? Would they even have known that anything had changed?
For ordinary people, peasants in the countryside, the news probably did not even reach them, as the flow of information was completely different from today. The event had enormous historical significance, bringing Poland into the orbit of Western Europe, primarily Christianity, which allowed the country to develop administratively. It also shaped a new power structure and territorial organisation, enabling the state to grow and consolidate.
Bolesław’s bravery was not only about his courage in battle but also about boldness in political decision-making?
Bolesław was famous for the wars he won and for being a fairly authoritative king. At that time, rulers often made decisions independently, of course, with counsel but royal sovereignty was considerable.
Interviewed by: Ewelina Kośmider
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To register for events organised as part of DFN, it is best to use the search engine on the DFN website and find the events you are interested in there. Under each event, you will find detailed information on whether and how to register for it.
Dr Aleksandra Ziober – historian, assistant professor at the Department of Economic History, Demography and Statistics at the Historical Institute of the University of Wrocław. For many years, she has been involved in events aimed at promoting science both in Poland and abroad. Her research focuses on issues related to factional struggles in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, mainly during free elections, the political attitudes of the nobility and their methods of exerting political and social influence (communication strategies) in the 17th century. She has led two research projects funded by the National Science Centre in Kraków and has been awarded several international research and teaching scholarships (London, Madrid, Würzburg, Saint Petersburg, Minsk, Banská Bystrica, Pardubice, Innsbruck, etc.). In 2019, dr Ziober received a scholarship from the Minister of Science and Higher Education for outstanding young scientists. Since 2024, she has been the coordinator of the Lower Silesian Science Festival at the University of Wrocław.
Date of publication: 28.08.2025
Added by: E.K.
