NCU News
Upcoming events
Pokolenia Gonią Lenia 2025
The University Sports Centre encourages participation in free sports activities organised throughout Poland under the slogan ‘Pokolenia Gonią Lenia’. People aged 20-60 can take part in the programme.
‘Pokolenia Gonią Lenia’ is a multidisciplinary programme of the Academic Sports Association, which aims to encourage Poles to be physically active. Free sports classes in various disciplines are organised in different cities across Poland, giving local residents the opportunity to train under the supervision of professional instructors.
The University Sports Centre invites you to free rowing ergometer training sessions, which start on 15 September and last until 11 December. Classes are held every Monday and Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. In addition, the USC free classes also include a sauna. From 22 September to 30 October, the sauna will be available twice a week, every Monday (5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) and Thursday (5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.), and from 3 November to 8 December only on Mondays.
Due to the limited number of spots (maximum 9 people per group), registration is required. To register, please send an email to pokolenia2025@wp.pl with the following information:
- first and last name
- age
- type of classes selected
- selected dates on which you wish to participate in classes
- contact telephone number
After sending the message, please wait for an email confirmation. The class schedule can be added to Google Calendar.
Wilhelmina Iwanowska. The stars were meant for me – exhibition
An exhibition dedicated to Prof. Wilhelmina Iwanowska will be on display at the University Library until 21 October. The exhibition can be viewed on the second floor.
The exhibition has been prepared to mark the 120th anniversary of the birth of the First Lady of Polish astronomy. It shows the most important stages of her life and scientific work: childhood, studies in Vilnius, the beginnings of her scientific career, forced expatriation, teaching and research activities, and the development of the Toruń astronomical centre and international achievements.
The exhibition is supplemented with materials from the Archive of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń and from the collections of the Książnica Kopernikańska library in Toruń, including medals, glasses, photographs, diplomas, manuscripts, notes and letters. It is worth noting that Prof. Wilhelmina Iwanowska has been named the patron of 2025 in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Province.
The curators of the exhibition are Bożena Kierzkowska, Weronika Krajniak and Dr Anna Supruniuk, NCU Prof. The graphic design was created by Kamil Snochowski.
The exhibition is held under the honorary patronage of the Minister of Science, the Minister of Education, the Governor of Kujawsko-Pomorskie Province, the Marshal of Kujawsko-Pomorskie Province, the Mayor of Toruń, the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Province Superintendent of Education, Nicolaus Copernicus University and the Polish Space Agency.
Exhibition: Between/Inter by Basia Sokołowska
Between/Inter by Basia Sokołowska is the title of an exhibition prepared as part of the Vintage Photo Festival at the Nicolaus Copernicus University Museum (M. Rapacki Square), the opening of which will take place on October 10, 2025, at 3:00 PM.
The exhibition will feature 30 photographs by Basia Sokołowska from four series: Interior/Apartment (1993), Beyond Surface (1994), Ars Moriendi (1998), and Tissues/Adaptation (2005). The works draw on the tradition of still life and explore the duality of the world of dreams and reality, crossing internal barriers and maturing, transience, the cyclical nature of life and death, and adaptation on many levels and in many contexts. They reveal the transformations taking place in the artist's life and psyche, the multi-layered nature of the world around her. Veiled and mysterious, they evoke curiosity and anxiety, resonating. They engage emotionally and physically. They create a mood, are honest, and open to interpretation. The artist uses collage techniques, creates spatial photographic compositions, highlights detail, color, and texture, and stages them.
All works in the exhibition are a gift from Basia Sokołowska to the University Museum in Toruń. The exhibition will be on view until February 13, 2026.
Absent Legacies: Lotte Jacobi and Janina Gardzielewska
On October 10th at 6:00 PM, the exhibition "Absent Heritage: Lotte Jacobi and Janina Gardzielewska Rediscovered", curated by Dr Katarzyna Gębarowska, will open at the Centre for Contemporary Art in Toruń.
The exhibition, organised as part of the Vintage Photo Festival, showcases the artistic heritage of two photographers associated with Toruń: Lotte Jacobi and Janina Gardzielewska. Although both came from families with a tradition of studio photography, they decided to pursue a dynamically developing artistic photography, aiming to transform photography into abstract art. Jacobi created photograms, Gardzielewska created large-format collages. Both pushed the boundaries of traditional photography and were avid travellers. Despite achieving international fame, they experienced exclusion. Jacobi was excluded because of her ties to the city's Prussian past, while Gardzielewska was forgotten.
The exhibition will juxtapose Lotte Jacobi's photographs of Toruń with 21 photographs by Janina Gardzielewska from the University Library in Toruń collection. Gardzielewska's works will include portraits of visual artists associated with the Faculty of Fine Arts at the Nicolaus Copernicus University, including Mirosław Piotrowski, Maria Pokorska, and Tymon Niesiołowski. Some works were created using photomontage techniques as part of the series "My Acquaintances of Toruń Visual Artists," presented in 1983 at the Mała Galeria Fotografiki in Toruń. The exhibition will be complemented by theatrical photographs documenting scenes from performances at the Wilam Horzyca Theatre from the 1960s and 1970s.
The exhibition will be on display until November 16th.
Lectures by Prof. Colin Tyler at the Institute of Philosophy
The Institute of Philosophy invites you to two guest lectures by Prof. Colin Tyler from the University of Hull in the United Kingdom. The lectures will take place on 16 and 23 October at 1:15 p.m. at the Institute of Philosophy (ul. Fosa Staromiejska 1a, room 305).
Professor Colin Tyler is a political philosopher and ethicist. He specialises in the history of political thought, social ethics and the theory of the common good. On 16 October, he will give a lecture entitled "Pluralised Moral Panics and Morphological Theory: The case of the trans. Debate". The speaker will propose a new theory of "moral panics", developing a modified version of Michael Freeden's morphological theory and using analyses of the framing of collective actions. The lecture will show how the fragmentation of public discourse influences the formation of moral conflicts and how philosophical reflection on concepts can help to understand them.
The lecture "Self-determined Lives and the Moral Duty to Protest: A tragic, perspectival account", which will take place on 23 October, will focus on the moral foundations of protest in pluralistic societies. Prof. Tyler will develop a perspectival concept of relational social ontology, according to which conflicts and tensions are an inherent part of community life. From this perspective, protest appears as a moral duty arising from recognition of the diversity and tragedy of human coexistence. The lecture combines ethical, political and ontological reflection, offering an in-depth analysis of the relationship between individual self-determination and the duty of civil opposition.
Admission to the event is free for all interested parties.
More information
YUFE International Café
Join us for a cup of hot coffee and an even hotter debate on how our cultural differences affect communication. The hybrid event planned for 23 October will start with the lecture ‘Say What?! Understanding Communication through Culture, which will be followed by workshops raising awareness of differences in the perception of language.
To try theory in practice, we’ll run simultaneous sessions in different YUFE countries and online. Participation in the event is free of charge. Registration is required:
- If you would like to participate in the online event, please register here: https://virtualcampus.yufe.eu/p/course/fK6ZYNxPBK4MiRqs
- If you would like to participate in the meeting at the Copernican Integration Centre, register here: https://virtualcampus.yufe.eu/p/course/IsObWRH9bVjnzt3O
YUFE International Café is a new joint initiative where students, university staff, and citizens come together to share cultural experiences and practices. It’s a space to connect, learn from each other, and discover how diverse perspectives shape the way we see the world.
Dialogue with Knapp – meeting with the artist
On 23 October at 6 p.m., a meeting with Dr Aleksandra Sojak-Borodo, NCU Prof., will take place on the small stage of the Academic Centre for Culture and Art "Od Nowa" (ul. Gagarina 37a), accompanying the exhibition "Dialog z Knappem" (Dialogue with Knapp). The conversation will be moderated by Witold Sadowski, Stefan Knapp's nephew. The meeting is part of the "MAXIMUM. Myślenie Od Nowa" series.
During the meeting, the artist will talk about her work inspired by the works of Stefan Knapp - an outstanding artist, known primarily for his monumental works present in many cities, including the work located in the NCU Auditorium. The meeting will be an opportunity to look at art from two perspectives: the artistic one, showing the creative process, and the personal one, related to memory and family ties. The event is an opportunity to reflect on how art connects generations, builds dialogue between the past and the present, and opens up space for analysis of its meaning in the life of every human being.
"MAXIMUM. Myślenie Od Nowa" is a series of meetings with interesting people, which was inaugurated in June 2025. The guest of the first meeting was Janina Ochojska, social activist and Ambassador of the Nicolaus Copernicus University.
Self-defence course for women
The Amicus UNC Foundation invites women to participate in a self-defence course entitled "A lady defends herself". The training will take place on 25 October at the University Sports Centre.
The classes will be led by experienced instructors who will teach participants how to react in dangerous situations. The intensive course will last 4 hours and will be conducted in a friendly atmosphere - without pressure or judgement. The training will start at 9:00 a.m. and last until 2:00 p.m., with two half-hour breaks.
The cost of the course is PLN 170. The NCU community (employees, students, doctoral students and graduates) can count on a 10% discount.
Detailed information can be found on the Foundation's website.
Mystery Friend #1 - Mystery Mug
The Amicus Foundation UNC invites you to a meeting in the "Mystery Friend" series, which will take place on October 27 at 5:00 p.m. at the Copernican Integration Centre. The theme of the event will be "Mystery Mug".
"Mystery Friend" is a series of monthly integration meetings full of surprises. Each meeting is a new challenge and a chance to develop in an atmosphere of intercultural exchange and social education. It will provide you with great fun and unforgettable experiences, while teaching you how to cooperate and integrate in a multicultural environment. Their goal is to integrate the entire academic community - students from abroad are welcome.
During the upcoming meeting, participants will prepare personalised mugs decorated using a mysterious technique. You will be able to take your finished mug home with you as a souvenir. As the organisers assure, you don't need to have artistic skills - what counts most is openness, creativity, and a willingness to cooperate.
Admission to the event is free, and all necessary materials will be provided on site. Due to the limited number of places, registration is required. You can submit your application using the form available on the Amicus Foundation website.
The project is part of the YUFE 2030 initiative.
Polish native faith – author's meeting
On Monday, 27 October, at 6 p.m., a meeting dedicated to the book "Polskie rodzimowierstwo. Dziedzictwo przedchrześcijańskich Słowian w świecie późnej nowoczesności" (Polish Native Faith. The Heritage of Pre-Christian Slavs in the Late Modern World), authored by Dr Piotr Grochowski, professor at the NCU Faculty of Humanities, will be held. The meeting is part of the "MAXIMUM. Myślenie Od Nowa" series.
The meeting is aimed at anyone interested in culture, religious studies, anthropology and the broadly understood Slavic heritage, and will be held in Polish.
Prof. Piotr Grochowski is a folklorist, cultural studies scholar, ethnologist and editor-in-chief of the journal "Literatura ludowa/Journal of Folklore and Popular Culture". For years, he has been researching the transformations of folk traditions, folklore and contemporary social movements referring to the pre-Christian heritage of the Slavs.
Rodzimowierstwo (native faith), the subject of his latest book, is a contemporary religion that draws on ancient beliefs and practices, part of a trend of reviving traditions and a growing fascination with Slavic culture. The publication presents a comprehensive picture of this phenomenon: from its history and organisational forms, through its belief system and rituals, to the social, political and economic contexts that shape the movement in today's Poland. The author also questions the place of pre-Christian traditions in national culture and their role in the processes of identity building.
Fantastic forensics
"Fantastic Forensics: From the World of Mysteries to Crime Stories" is the title of a meeting that will take place on Tuesday, 28 October, at 5:00 p.m. at the Faculty of Chemistry's library. The meeting will be held in Polish. Registration is required.
During the event, participants will hear about the work of uniformed services at the scene of an incident, and in particular about the work of forensic technicians. The guests of the meeting will be Commissioner Małgorzata Olewińska and Assistant Inspector Sławomir Kardyś from the Municipal Police Headquarters in Toruń, Dr Andrzej Wolan from the NCU Faculty of Chemistry, and Robert Małecki, one of the most recognisable Polish authors of crime novels. The discussion will be moderated by Aleksandra Kruszyńska.
The discussion on forensics from a professional perspective will be complemented by a presentation of the second volume of Robert Małecki's best-selling thriller ‘Zmora’ (Nightmare), which will premiere on 15 October.
Registration form
Mystery Friend #2 - Mystery Room
The Amicus Foundation UNC invites you to a meeting in the "Mystery Friend" series, which will take place on November 20 at 5:00 p.m. at the Copernican Integration Centre. The theme of the event will be "Mystery Room".
"Mystery Friend" is a series of monthly integration meetings full of surprises. Each meeting is a new challenge and a chance to develop in an atmosphere of intercultural exchange and social education. It will provide you with great fun and unforgettable experiences, while teaching you how to cooperate and integrate in a multicultural environment. Their goal is to integrate the entire academic community - students from abroad are welcome.
During the meeting, participants will take part in an escape room game that requires logical thinking, perceptiveness, and teamwork. A themed room awaits you, full of puzzles and excitement. Will you make it out in time?
Admission to the event is free, and all necessary materials will be provided on site. Due to the limited number of places, registration is required. You can submit your application using the form available on the Amicus Foundation website.
The project is part of the YUFE 2030 initiative.
Doping in sports – conference
On 28 November, the Nicolaus Copernicus University Sports Centre will host a nationwide scientific conference devoted to the issue of doping as a phenomenon extending beyond professional sport. The event is organised by the Nicolaus Copernicus University Sports Research Centre, the Polish Sports Law Association and the Academic Sports Association of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Province.
Three main discussion panels are planned during the conference. The first one, during which problems and challenges will be presented, will focus on doping as a medical and public health issue. The next one will discuss the socio-cultural determinants of the use of performance-enhancing substances in mass society. The third discussion will focus on education and prevention in the fight against doping.
Applications to participate can be submitted using the application form until 15 October 2025. Detailed topics to be discussed at the conference can be found on the website of the University Centre for Sports Research. Information on the acceptance of papers will be sent out on 20 October. The conference fee is PLN 200 and includes lunch, coffee breaks and conference materials. Speakers will have the opportunity to publish in a post-conference monograph, in a volume of the monographic series ‘Sport: language, society, culture’ or in journals cooperating with the University Centre for Sports Research at Nicolaus Copernicus University (20/40 points from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education).
2nd Student Art Fair
The NCU Faculty of Fine Arts invites you to the second edition of the Student Art Fair, during which young artists will present and sell their unique works. The event will take place on 6 December from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Faculty of Fine Arts building (30/32 Sienkiewicza Street). Entrance is free.
The Student Art Fair is an open artistic event during which students present and sell their original works – from paintings and graphics to sculptures, jewellery and handicrafts. It is not only an opportunity to purchase unique works, but also a chance to meet young artists in person, learn about their inspirations and support emerging artists. The fair creates a space for exchanging experiences, building a community of art lovers and promoting creativity and innovative forms of expression.
The Christmas edition of the Fair is organised by the NCU Faculty of Fine Arts in cooperation with the Amicus UNC Foundation and the NCU Student Council.
Event on Facebook
Mystery Friend #3 - Mystery Spider
The Amicus Foundation UNC invites you to a meeting in the "Mystery Friend" series, which will take place on December 11 at 5:00 p.m. at the Copernican Integration Centre. The theme of the event will be "Mystery Spider".
"Mystery Friend" is a series of monthly integration meetings full of surprises. Each meeting is a new challenge and a chance to develop in an atmosphere of intercultural exchange and social education. It will provide you with great fun and unforgettable experiences, while teaching you how to cooperate and integrate in a multicultural environment. Their goal is to integrate the entire academic community - students from abroad are welcome.
What does a "spider" have to do with the upcoming holiday season? Come and help us solve the mystery of the "spider" that has adorned Polish homes during Christmas for generations.
Admission to the event is free, and all necessary materials will be provided on site. Due to the limited number of places, registration is required. You can submit your application using the form available on the Amicus Foundation website.
The project is part of the YUFE 2030 initiative.
Mystery Friend #4 - Mystery Quiz Show
The Amicus Foundation UNC invites you to a meeting in the "Mystery Friend" series, which will take place on January 15 at 5:00 p.m. at the Copernican Integration Centre. The theme of the event will be "Mystery Quiz Show".
"Mystery Friend" is a series of monthly integration meetings full of surprises. Each meeting is a new challenge and a chance to develop in an atmosphere of intercultural exchange and social education. It will provide you with great fun and unforgettable experiences, while teaching you how to cooperate and integrate in a multicultural environment. Their goal is to integrate the entire academic community - students from abroad are welcome.
Join a team quiz where knowledge, cleverness, and teamwork all matter. Mysterious riddles and unexpected clues await, adding a thrilling twist to the competition.
Admission to the event is free, and all necessary materials will be provided on site. Due to the limited number of places, registration is required. You can submit your application using the form available on the Amicus Foundation website.
The project is part of the YUFE 2030 initiative.