25th August marked the end of the 68th edition of the summer course in Polish language and culture organised by the Centre for Polish Language and Culture for Foreigners “POLONICUM”. This year, there were 100 participants. On the last day, the students danced the Polonaise in the UW Library Gardens.

The course is organised every year in August and lasts four weeks. Its programme includes not only Polish language classes at different levels, but also lectures and conversation classes on Polish history and culture, which are conducted in both Polish and English.

100 participants

This year’s edition began on 31st July with a total of 100 participants. Students from Germany and Ukraine were predominant, but the group also included visitors from other continents – America and Asia. The students participated in seventy-six hours of lectures as well as workshops in grammar, communication, literature, comics and medical language. The programme also included a guided walk around the UW campus at Krakowskie Przedmieście, film screenings, national presentations, and visits to the Warsaw Uprising Museum and Museum of Warsaw.

“This year, thematic walks devoted to the old Praga district or Warsaw street art were highly popular. Participants also had the opportunity to discover and develop their musical talents. They learned to sing Polish songs during vocal workshops, after which they were able to present their skills at a farewell concert in one of the clubs in Warsaw,” Tomasz Wegner, the course manager, says.

Traditional polonaise

The performance, during which the participants danced the traditional Polonaise, took place on 25th August in the UW Library Gardens. The event marked the official conclusion of the 68th edition of the Polish language and culture course.