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Iluminacja kwartału uniwersyteckiego

On two nights: May 10 and May 11, from 8.30 p.m. to 1.00 a.m., the buildings of Collegium Novum and Collegium Minus are illuminated to celebrate the 650th Jubille of the Jagiellonian University.

The historic buildings of the University quarter are animated with modern mapping technology, which takes the audience on a journey through the Jagiellonian University's history and tradition. The audiovisual spectacle features old drawings and prints, photographs, and other historic materials, illustrating the most important events and people in the University's 650-year-long history, combined with a historic commentary and spectacular animations, which convey the atmosphere of subsequent epochs in the University's History.

This combination of modern technology with historic tradition corresponds with the motto of the Jagiellonian University's Jubilee: "Inspired by the past, we shape the future."

Iluminacja kwartału uniwersyteckiego

Iluminacja kwartału uniwersyteckiego

Iluminacja kwartału uniwersyteckiego

Iluminacja kwartału uniwersyteckiego

Zdjęcia: Anna Wojnar, Filip Radwański

On Saturday evening the grand premiere of the musical-historical performance: Universa-Open Opera, celebrating the 650th Jubilee of the Jagiellonian University, was held on Kraków Main Market Square. The University commissioned a composer of international renown, Jan A. P. Kaczmarek, Academy Award winner, to create this symphonic piece of ambitious musical format – a modern concert-opera-morality play – which is a combination of high and mass culture. According to the composer himself, the word "open" is a direct reference to the form of the piece.

A very demanding and difficult role was played by Julia Pietrucha, who impersonated seven liberal arts: Grammar, Rhetoric, Dialectic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Astronomy and Music, in the context of which main protagonists: Queen Jadwiga, Nicholaus Copernicus and Albert Einstein were portrayed by distinguished opera soloists: Iwona Sobótka, Małgorzata Walewska and Szymon Komasa.

The borders of time and space were crossed in the opera: seemingly unrelated characters from different periods of time and various locations engaged in an intellectual-moral dialogue, the leitmotif of which were the seven liberal arts.

This enormous effort was led by Monika Wolińska, a distinguished conductor of the young generation, who has collaborated with numerous orchestras around the world. She is also the first Pole to have conducted in the famous New York Carnegie Hall.

After the performance, Jan A.P. Kaczmarek entered the stage himself, to greet the Jagiellonian University and the whole Poland.

"Universa - Opera Otwarta"

"Universa - Opera Otwarta"

"Universa - Opera Otwarta"

"Universa - Opera Otwarta"

"Universa - Opera Otwarta"

"Universa - Opera Otwarta"

"Universa - Opera Otwarta"

"Universa - Opera Otwarta"

"Universa - Opera Otwarta"

fot. Anna Wojnar, Marek Welzel

On 10 May at noon, a special session of the Jagiellonian University's Senate began at Auditorium Maximum to celebrate the 650th Jubilee of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków.

President of the Republic of Poland, Bronisław Komorowski, and Minister of Science and Higher Education, Prof. Lena Kolarska-Bobińska, honoured the academic community with their presence. Jagiellonian University Academic Choir inaugurated the session with the song "Gaude Mater Polonia."

In his opening speech, Prof. dr hab. med. Wojciech Nowak, JU Rector, stated that thanks to the wise decision of King Casimir the Great, who founded the University in 1364, Poland became one of the first countries in Europe to have its own higher academic institution, which educated both Polish and foreign students. King Casimir's legacy is an enlightened Poland, its future bright because of its brilliant students. Rector emphasised that the current situation of the country is a fulfilment of the King's dream: an independent state in a united Europe. He also expressed his belief that the 21st century poses many challenges which the university needs to overcome.

President Bronisław Komorowski emphasised the fact that throughout the history of Poland, the University always was a bastion of Polish free thought, independence, culture and national identity. He expressed his hope that the University will remain a beacon of wisdom that strengthens the entire nation.

The Rector then read a letter from Pope Francis I, in which the current pope recalled the words of John Paul II, directed towards the University.

The President of the European Comission, Jose Manuel Barroso, also took part in the session. Prof. Wojciech Nowak presented him with the gold Plus ratio quam vis (Reason before Force) medal in honour his efforts to create a common, united Europe. Prof. Karol Musioł, former JU Rector, delivered a speech of commendation for Mr. Barroso.

Mr. Barroso stated that the motto Plus ratio quam vis may also be applied to the European Union, since it promotes wise decisions that benefit the entirety of human civilisation. In his speech, he quoted Maria Skłodowska-Curie and Wisława Szymborska.

Several other distinguished guests also addressed the representatives of academic community:

After that, Mr. Marek Sowa, Marshall of the Małopolskie Voivodeship, and Mr. Kazimierz Barczyk, President of the Małopolskie Voivodeship Sejmik, presented the Rector with a gold Medal of Merit of the Małopolskie Voivodeship, awarded to the University.

These were not the only significant moments of the session. Prof. Robert Huber, Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry, and Prof. Witold Kieżun, economist and management theorist, received an honorary degree from the University.

The session ended with Polish National Anthem.

Uroczyste posiedzenie Senatu UJ

Uroczyste posiedzenie Senatu UJ

Uroczyste posiedzenie Senatu UJ

Uroczyste posiedzenie Senatu UJ

Uroczyste posiedzenie Senatu UJ

Uroczyste posiedzenie Senatu UJ

fot. Anna Wojnar

After the Holy Mass in Wawel Cathedral concelebrated by Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz, Archbishop of Kraków, an Academic Procession marched through the streets of Kraków to the Jagiellonian University Auditorium Maximum. The Procession left the gate of Wawel Castle at 10:15 a.m.

In accordance with tradition, the Procession was led by a group of students, including foreigners, who carried the flags of their home countries. Some of them wore their national costume. They included nationals of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, China, Japan, and South Korea. They were followed by members of different Faculties of the Jagiellonian University, starting from the youngest one – the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Biotechnology, after which came: the Faculty of International and Political Studies, the Faculty of Management and Social Communication, the Faculty of Biology and Earth Sciences, the Faculty of Chemistry, the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, the Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science, the Faculty of Polish Studies, the Faculty of Philology, the Faculty of History, the Faculty of Philosophy, the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Faculty of Pharmacy, the Faculty of Medicine, and, finally, the oldest one: the Faculty of Law and Administration. All JU Professors were dressed in ceremonial gowns. Then followed the representatives of Polish and foreign academic institutions and members of the Jagiellonian University authorities: the Vice Rectors Prof. Stanisław Kistryn, Prof. Andrzej Mania, Prof. Piotr Laidler, Prof. Maria-Jolanta Flis, and Prof. Jacek Popiel. The procession was closed by the current, 305th Rector of the Jagiellonian University, Prof. Wojciech Nowak, wearing a purple ceremonial gown and ermine mozetta.

The Procession went through Planty Part, and then marched along Piłsudskiego and Wenecja streets, to Auditorium Maximum at ul. Krupnicza, to hold a special meeting of the Jagiellonian University Senate. Throughout the route, the Professors were cheered by a crowd of citizens of Kraków, as well as numerous tourists.

The Procession was part of the celebrating marking the 650th Jubilee of the Jagiellonian University.

Orszak Akademicki

Orszak Akademicki

Orszak Akademicki

Orszak Akademicki

Orszak Akademicki

Orszak Akademicki

Orszak Akademicki

Orszak Akademicki

Orszak Akademicki

On 12 May the Jagiellonian University celebrates its most important occasion – the anniversary of its foundation by King Casimir the Great in 1364. This years celebrations began in the Wawel Cathedral on 10 May. The University authorities – Prof. dr hab. med. Wojciech Nowak, JU Rector, Vice-Rectors, former Rectors (Prof. Karol Musioł and Prof. Franciszek Ziejka), Chancellor, Bursar and representatives of students and graduates placed flower bouquets in JU colours on the tombs of the University's Founders: King Casimir the Great, Queen Jadwiga and King Vladislaus Jagiełło.

At 9.00 a.m., to the sound of tolling of the Sigismund Bell and the voices of Wawel Cathedral Mixed Choir, a Holy Mass the Jagiellonian University academic community began. It was concelebrated by Kraków Metropolitan Archbishop, Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz. During the mass, the Rector donated to the Cathedral a replica of the University seal from 15th century.

After the mass, the JU authorities and rectors of Polish and international higher education institutions formed a procession, which set off from the Cathedral to the JU Auditorium Maximum through Kraków streets to attend the JU Senate Session.

In 1364, after many years of endeavour, King Casimir the Great received permission from the Pope to establish a university in Krakow, the capital of the Kingdom of Poland. It was the second university to be founded in Central Europe, after Prague in 1348. Soon afterwards other universities were established in the area: in Vienna (1365), Pécs (1367), Erfurt (1379) and Heidelberg (1386).

However, the Studium Generale in Krakow, as the school was then called, started functioning practically only in 1367. It consisted of three faculties only: liberal arts, medicine and law, as Pope Urban V did not grant permission to establish a faculty of theology, regarded as the highest ranking discipline. Similarly, he refused to grant such a permission to the Universities of Vienna, Pécs and Erfurt.

The University was most probably given accommodation at the Royal Castle on Wawel Hill. King Casimir's premature death in 1370 and the total lack of interest in the University demonstrated by his successor, King Louis of Anjou (King of Poland and Hungary), led to its gradual collapse.

The University (or the Academy, as it was called then) was restored owing to the endeavours of Queen Jadwiga, who pleaded its case with the Pope in Avignon and later bequeathed her personal effects to the University, which was re-established in 1400, after its benefactress's death. Henceforth it was a full medieval university, consisting of four faculties. As it followed the pattern of the University of Paris, its Rector was elected by the professors only. Colleges with accommodation for the professors and dormitories for students were founded.

W Katedrze na Wawelu Uniwersytet Jagielloński oddał hołd swoim Fundatorom

W Katedrze na Wawelu Uniwersytet Jagielloński oddał hołd swoim Fundatorom

W Katedrze na Wawelu Uniwersytet Jagielloński oddał hołd swoim Fundatorom

W Katedrze na Wawelu Uniwersytet Jagielloński oddał hołd swoim Fundatorom

W Katedrze na Wawelu Uniwersytet Jagielloński oddał hołd swoim Fundatorom

W Katedrze na Wawelu Uniwersytet Jagielloński oddał hołd swoim Fundatorom

fot. Anna Wojnar

On Friday, May 9 a Gala concert was held in Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Kraków, to mark the 650th Jubilee of the Jagiellonian University. The event was attended by the members of JU authorities: the Rector, Prof. Wojciech Nowak, Vice-Rectors: Prof. Maria-Jolanta Flis, Prof. Stanisław Kistryn, Prof. Piotr Laidler, and Prof. Andrzej Mania, as well as a number of distinguished guests, including the Governor of the Małopolskie Voivodeship, Jerzy Miller, the Marshall of the Małopolskie Voivodeship, Marek Sowa, and the President of Kraków, Prof. Jacek Majchrowski.

Jubileuszowa gala w Teatrze im. Juliusza Słowackiego

Jubileuszowa gala w Teatrze im. Juliusza Słowackiego

The performance featured the Beethoven Academy Orchestra conducted by Modestas Pitrenas, as well as soloists: Wioletta Chodowicz (soprano) and Krystian Adam Krzeszowiak (tenore). The programme consisted of pieces by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Don Giovanni: Overture, "Ma qual mai s'offre oh Dei… Fuggi, crudele, fuggi", "Don Ottavio, son morta!… Or sai chi l'onore", "Il mio tesoro"), Pietro Mascagni (Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo), Ruggero Leoncavallo (Pagliacci: "Qual Fiamma Avea Nel Guardo!... Stridono Lassù", "O Colombina, il tenero fido Arlecchin'"), Jonann Strauss II ("An der schönen blauen Donau", Die Fledermaus: "Klänge der Heimat", The Gypsy Baron: "Great fame is a joke", and "Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka"), and Andrew Lloyd Weber (Memory, All I ask from you). The event was led by the actress Beata Malczewska-Starowieyska.

The Beethoven Academy Orchestra is and one of the leading symphonic bands in Poland, and, at the same time, the youngest one. It is composed of people of passion: the best students and graduates of European academies of music, including Kraków Academy of Music, Staatliche Hochschule Für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Stuttgart, Hochschule für Musik in Karlsruhe, Royal Music Conservatoire in Brussels, Conservatoire International de Musique in Paris, and Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Graz. The ensemble began its operation in 2003, following the successes at the 53rd Jünger Künstler Festival in Bayreuth.

Jubileuszowa gala w Teatrze im. Juliusza Słowackiego

Jubileuszowa gala w Teatrze im. Juliusza Słowackiego

Jubileuszowa gala w Teatrze im. Juliusza Słowackiego

Jubileuszowa gala w Teatrze im. Juliusza Słowackiego

Jubileuszowa gala w Teatrze im. Juliusza Słowackiego

Jubileuszowa gala w Teatrze im. Juliusza Słowackiego

The oratorio concert on 9 May 2014 was the first musical-artistic events accompanying the 650th Jubilee of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków.

The University authorities and guests gathered at the Karol Szymanowski Philharmonic.

In his opening address, Prof. dr hab. med. Wojciech Nowak, JU Rector, expressed his joy, satisfaction and pride in celebrating the 650th anniversary of the University's foundation as the first higher education institution in Poland.

The musical ensembles that took part in the concert are as follows:

The soloists were:

Michał Dworzyński conducted for the performing choirsa, and the programme included Mazur from the opera The Haunted Manor by Stanisław Moniuszko and Carmina Burana by Carl Orff.

The Haunted Manor by Stanisław Moniuszko premiered in Warsaw on 28 September 1865. It is very patriotic in nature, but it also contains romance and comedy. The premiere in the Polish National Opera at the Teatr Wielki turned into a patriotic manifestation. It is one of the most frequently staged operas in Poland. It is characterised by an intuitive harmony, subtle yet rich instrumentalisation and innovative melodic quality.

The culmination of the concert was Carl Orff's Carmina Burana. It is a monumental vocal-instrumental masterpiece which premiered in the Oper Frankfurt on 8 June 1937. It was created on the basis of songs and poetry from the 13th century manuscript found by Johann Andreas Schmeller in a Benedictine monastery in Bavaria. Orff, fascinated by the rhythm and vividness of the poems as well as the melody of Latin, composed the music and chose texts. The grand finale of the piece is the breathtaking invocation to fortune and fate – "O Fortuna".

Koncert w Filharmonii Krakowskiej

Koncert w Filharmonii Krakowskiej

Koncert w Filharmonii Krakowskiej

Koncert w Filharmonii Krakowskiej

Koncert w Filharmonii Krakowskiej

Koncert w Filharmonii Krakowskiej

fot. Marek Welzel

On 9 May 2014 at 11:00 a.m., the Student Parliament of the Republic of Poland Council session began in Collegium Maius. The meeting was officially opened by Prof. dr hab. Stanisław Kistryn, JU Vice-Rector for Research and Structural Funds. He noted that students are the largest academic group and the driving force of the University, the sole reason why such an institution exists: to instill knowledge and moral values in students who are the future of our society. He also alluded to the Time Capsule, planted the day before, which he viewed as a symbol of this "knowledge transfer."

The participants discussed the Higher Education Act and its novelisation, concentrating mainly on the amendments proposed by students as well as the system of higher education funding.

The Student Parliament of the Republic of Poland Council is the most important Polish student body. The Parliament acts on behalf of the students, represents them in dealings with the Polish government and on the international stage. The body can influence the Polish state policy towards the young people by giving opinions on legal acts concerning students and presenting students' suggestions to the authorities. It also organises courses and workshops, provides assistance in student projects, and promotes cultural events.

Uroczyste posiedzenie Rady Studentów PSRP

Uroczyste posiedzenie Rady Studentów PSRP

Uroczyste posiedzenie Rady Studentów PSRP

The meeting of representatives of Coimbra Group, IRUN, Europaeum and Utrecht Network member institutions, held on May 9, 2014, was divided into two sessions. The participants tried to find answers to the questions: What is the strength of European higher education? What do we have in common? Are there any common European values belonging to our higher education that could be seen as constituting the foundations of European Academia?
They also wondered how to promote European higher education on a global scale, and compete with non-European universities: is it the right choice to offer European higher education as something unique and valuable (even at the expense of the position in rankings), rather than accept universal-global standards and values and try to compete globally without contributing anything "specifically" European?

Prof. dr hab. med Wojciech Nowak, JU Rector, opened the conference. In his welcoming address, he emphasised that Collegium Maius is the heart of the University, and that the walls inside which Nicolaus Copernicus studied over six hundred years ago are a perfect place to combine the past and the present and think about the role of the university in the rapidly changing modern contemporary reality, in which the greatest challenges that it may face are internationalisation and globalisation. After that, Prof. dr hab. Zdzisław Mach, Rector's Proxy for International Affairs, the debate's moderator, explained the genesis of the idea of the conference and the rules along which it will be conducted.

Founded in 1985, Coimbra Group is a network of 39 universities, including the oldest and the most prestigious universities in the world. The aim of the organisation is to make the bonds between the oldest universities in Europe stronger.

Inititiated in 2007 by Radbound University (Nijmegen), IRUN Network represents Westflälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen, Pázmány Peter Catholic University of Budapest, Universitá degli Studi di Siena, Universitat de Barcelona, Université de Poitiers, University of Glasgow, University of Ljubljana and the Jagiellonian University.

The aim of IRUN is to constantly improve the quality of research and teaching through the exchange of students and staff as well as joint curriculum development and joint degree programmes for Master's students and PhD candidates.

Europaeum is an association of 11 leading European Universities (Oxford University, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Universiteit Leiden, Università di Bologna, Universität Bonn, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies Geneva, Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Univerzita Karlova, Prague, Helsingin Yliopisto, and Jagiellonian University) and two associate members: Institute of Political Studies, Catholic University of Portugal and Fundación Ortega Marañón.

The network was created between 1990 and 1992, in order to support European history and culture studies, and to foster academic and student exchange between the partner institutions. Europaeum organizes workshops and summer schools (mainly for graduate and doctoral students) as well as academic conferences.

The Utrecht Network was created in 1987, whereas the Jagiellonian University became its member ten years later. The Network's essential targets and mission include increasing the role of student and staff mobility, development of teaching programmes, providing support to student summer schools and teacher courses, and promotion of European universities in the world.

Currently, there are 32 universities from 29 European countries collaborating within the framework of the consortium. During the last 25 years, about 20,000 students took part in its exchange schemes. Besides European partnership, the Utrecht Network actively cooperates with similar consortia in Australia and the United States.

Photo Marek Welzel

Konferencja Rektorów Uniwersytetów Zrzeszonych w Sieciach

Konferencja Rektorów Uniwersytetów Zrzeszonych w Sieciach

Konferencja Rektorów Uniwersytetów Zrzeszonych w Sieciach

Konferencja Rektorów Uniwersytetów Zrzeszonych w Sieciach

Konferencja Rektorów Uniwersytetów Zrzeszonych w Sieciach

Konferencja Rektorów Uniwersytetów Zrzeszonych w Sieciach