As part of the celebrations marking the 210th anniversary of the University of Warsaw, an artistic performance was held exploring the University’s early history and its role in shaping Polish culture. The legacy of Kazimierz Brodziński, music by Fryderyk Chopin and Ignacy Feliks Dobrzyński, and choreographies inspired by Polish folk and ballroom dances transported the audience back to the first decades of the University’s history.
On 4th November, the second performance in a series of artistic events celebrating the 210th anniversary of the University of Warsaw took place at the Auditorium Maximum on the University’s Main Campus. The event was attended by the UW Rector, Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, and members of the Rector’s Team, representatives of faculty and university unit authorities, staff, students and doctoral candidates, as well as Warsaw residents.
“Since its foundation, the University of Warsaw has been not only a place of education and research, but also an important centre of intellectual and cultural life. It was here that distinguished scholars, artists and thinkers came together, shaping generations of Poles through their work. Today’s performance allows us to explore this history from a different perspective – through music, dance and art. It also demonstrates the richness and diversity of our University’s heritage,” said Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, the UW Rector, at the opening of the event.
“The University of Warsaw’s anniversary is an excellent opportunity to showcase not only our achievements in research and education, but also the richness of the University’s cultural life. We are immensely proud of our artistic ensembles, which have been nurturing young people’s passions and talents for many years. Today’s performance demonstrates their tremendous commitment, as well as the diversity of dance forms through which we can tell the story of our history and traditions. It is wonderful that we can celebrate the anniversary in this way too,” emphasised Prof. Ewa Krogulec, the UW Vice-Rector for Development.
The performance drew on the writings of Prof. Kazimierz Brodziński, his reflections on culture and dance, and the recollections of his contemporaries. The narrative was enriched by archival materials, compositions by Fryderyk Chopin and Ignacy Feliks Dobrzyński, and original choreographies inspired by the dance traditions of the Duchy of Warsaw and the Kingdom of Poland.
The event was hosted by Jan Łosakiewicz, Director of the University of Warsaw Dance Theatre ‘Warszawianka’, who also wrote the script and directed the performance. He introduced the audience to the life and work of Kazimierz Brodziński, his connections with the University of Warsaw, and his interest in Polish folk culture and dance traditions. His commentary provided an introduction to the successive parts of the performance, weaving together historical storytelling, music and dance.
The performance was prepared in cooperation with the University of Warsaw Museum and the UW’s Institute of Musicology.
The audience was treated to a wide range of dance styles, from choreographies inspired by ballroom dances to spectacular interpretations of Polish folklore.
The artistic dimention of the UW anniversary
The artistic direction of the performance was overseen by Norbert Późniewski. Others involved in its preparation included Anna Maria Teperek, dance instructor; Martyna Temporowicz-Gudajczyk, vocal instructor; Piotr Skawski, responsible for organisation; and Beata Puzio and Patryk Jabłoński, who prepared the costumes.
At the end of the performance, Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak congratulated the artists and everyone involved in bringing the production to the stage.
“I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to all the performers and creators of this exceptional production. Thank you for your talent, passion and the tremendous amount of work that went into preparing it. You have shown that the history of the University of Warsaw can be told in a truly beautiful, moving and inspiring way. I am proud that our University is home to such talented young people,” concluded the UW Rector.
