Vivat academia! Vivat nostra civitas!
This year’s ceremonial open meeting of the College of Rectors of Wrocław and Opole Universities took place, as is tradition, on November 15 in the Aula Leopoldina of the University of Wrocław.
The meeting is the main event of Wrocław’s academic Science Day, preceded by a flower-laying ceremony at the monument commemorating the martyrdom of Lviv professors. The day before, a ceremonial concert was also held at the Academy of Music.
The ceremonial open meeting of the College began with a speech by the head of KRUWiO, prof. dr hab. Robert Olkiewicz, Rector of the University of Wrocław. He emphasized the importance of tradition, responsibility, and collaboration among all universities as well as with the socio-economic environment.
The Rector of Wrocław University of Science and Technology, prof. Arkadiusz Wójs, read the Manifesto of Academic Wrocław on behalf of the Rectors of all Wrocław universities.
„Aware of the social responsibility of science and its influence on our civilisation’s future, committed to the development of academic Wrocław and its international position, we, the rectors of Wrocław’s public universities, on the Science Day in Wrocław, make the declaration:
- We aim to support one another in strengthening Wrocław’s position as a center of intellect and culture in Europe.
- We will work together to ensure a welcoming atmosphere and opportunities to attract youth from around the world and provide them with conditions to pursue their goals.
- We wish to combine our academic potential to tackle the challenges that scientists and artists tackle today, that require a joint work of creators and specialists from various fields.
- We will work together to improve quality of life and safety by expanding the public knowledge of humanity.
- Together, we wish to contribute to the development of the modern society founded on innovation and knowledge, at the same time defending the ideals of freedom, equality, justice, and responsibility.
- Recognizing science and art as paths to truth and beauty, we pledge to defend their independence, resisting all political, ideological and economic pressures, as well as disinformation and censorship.
- We are determined to continuously raise the quality of academic education, keeping in mind that a lot of citizens of Wrocław are our students or alumni.
- We ask for trust and collaboration with the authorities and other institutions of our city and region, confirming our readiness to support them for the public good.
- May the academy continue to make our city better! Vivat academia! Vivat nostra civitas!”
The highlight of the ceremony was the announcement of the laureates of the annual prof. Józef Dudek Award for contributions to the academic community integration. This year’s award went to the District of Mutual Respect in Wrocław, consisting of The recipients were: His Eminence Bishop Ryszard Bogusz, Mr. Jerzy Kichler, Reverend Mitrate Aleksander Konachowicz, and Reverend dr Jerzy Żytowiecki.
The laudation was delivered by Prof. Sławomir Stasiak, Rector of the Pontifical Faculty of Theology, and Reverend dr Jerzy Żytowiecki spoke for the laureates.
As per tradition, the KRUWiO awards include works created by people connected to Wrocław’s Academy of Fine Arts. This year, the awards consisted of two graphics by Jarosław Jędrzejowski and two stained glass works by Karolina Kamińska and Lucyna Garbacz. However, this year’s award was special, as it was uniquely enhanced by a musical composition whose score was handed to the laureates by its composer, Maciej Domański.
This young composer, a student attending the Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław on two programs (double bass and composition), dedicated the piece titled “The Song of Mutual Respect” to the award’s laureates. This composition was written to biblical texts, arranged for two mixed choirs and premiered during the Special Concert organized on November 14th for the Science Day. The premiere was performed by combined academic choirs.
The Friday ceremony was further elevated by a performance of the Piú Mosso Chamber Choir, conducted by Mr. Dominik Jarocki from the Institute of Musicology at the University of Wrocław.
complied by Katarzyna Górowicz-Maćkiewicz
Photo report: Tomasz Walków
Translated by Sebastian Halczyk (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
