University of Silesia in Katowice

26 Feb – 3 Mar (Monday–Sunday), Faculty of Humanities, ul. Uniwersytecka 4, Katowice (Main lobby

• Exhibition: Renowned Muslims

Presentation of outstanding Muslim scientists living in the 9th and 14th centuries (such as Al-Kindi, Abulkasís, Al-Farabí, Ar-Razí) who made a huge contribution to various fields of science. The exhibition is organised in partnership with Imam Abdul Jabbar Koubaisy, PhD, Director of the Centre of Culture and Dialogue ‘Doha’ in Katowice, President of the Islamic Aid Foundation.

• Exhibition: Churches in Arab countries

Presentation of churches in Arab countries to showcase the architecture and point out that the peaceful coexistence of Christianity and Islam is possible in some of Arab countries.

The exhibition is organised in partnership with Imam Abdul Jabbar Koubaisy, PhD, Director of the Centre of Culture and Dialogue ‘Doha’ in Katowice, President of the Islamic Aid Foundation.

• Exhibition: Cultural heritage of Morocco

A display of photos of Morocco combined with a colourful, oriental exhibition of Moroccan everyday items, traditional costumes and jewellery. The exhibition is organised thanks to the courtesy of Hassna Ezzara, President of the Polish-Moroccan ARGAN Foundation.

Exhibitions are addressed to the general public

• 11.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m. – Meeting with Arabic and its calligraphy (Centre of Culture and Dialogue ‘Doha’, ul. 1 Maja 130, Katowice)

Lecture and workshops addressed to primary school students of grades 4-8. The aim is to introduce the Arabic language and its calligraphy.

The event will be hosted by Imam Abdul Jabbar Koubaisy, PhD – Director of the Centre of Culture and Dialogue ‘Doha’ in Katowice, President of the Islamic Aid Foundation and Vice-President of the Muslim League in Poland.

Registration for the event is required via the form. Limit: 35 people. Registration closed – no places available!

• 12.30 – 2.00 p.m. – Meeting with Arabic and its calligraphy with a lecture on brewing Arabic coffee with tasting (Centre of Culture and Dialogue ‘Doha’, ul. 1 Maja 130, Katowice)

Lecture and workshops addressed to high school students. During the workshops, students will learn about the Arabic language with basics of its calligraphy. Moreover, it will be a perfect opportunity to learn how to brew Arabic coffee and participants will be able to taste it along with delicious dates.

The event will be hosted by Imam Abdul Jabbar Koubaisy, PhD – director of the Centre of Culture and Dialogue ‘Doha’ in Katowice, President of the Islamic Aid Foundation and Vice-President of the Muslim League in Poland.

Registration for the event is required via the form. Limit: 35 people. Registration closed – no places available!

• 16.30 – 5.30 p.m. – Meeting with Arabic and its calligraphy and a lecture on brewing Arabian coffee with tasting (Centre of Culture and Dialogue ‘Doha’, ul. 1 Maja 130, Katowice)

Lecture and workshops addressed to adults. During the workshops, participants will learn about the Arabic language with basics of its calligraphy. Moreover, it will be a perfect opportunity to learn how to brew Arabic coffee and participants will be able to taste it along with delicious dates.

Registration for the event is required via the form. Limit: 35 people.

• 6.05–7.35 p.m. – Ceramics workshops: ‘Three Cultures’ (Youth Palace in Katowice, Ceramics Studio, ul. Mikołowska 26, Room 19, ground floor)

The workshops are addressed to children and youth aged 6-16. During the workshops, participants will work with clay to create their own interpretations of the symbols of their chosen culture: Jewish, Christian or Muslim.

The event will be held by Beata Będkowska, MA.

Registration for the event is required via the form. Limit: 12 people.

• 9.00–9.45 a.m. – Lecture: ‘At the junction of cultures, religions and views, or a few words about Mount Moriah’ (Kato Science Corner, ul. Młyńska 2, Katowice)

Each of the three great religions has its own tradition revolving around Mount Moriah. For Jews and Christians, the place is considered to be the centre of the world, where, according to the Old Testament, Abraham was to sacrifice his son Isaac. In the 10th century BC, the Jews built their First Temple there – the dwelling place of Yahweh himself. Muslims, in turn, believe that it is from there that the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven on his horse Buraq, in the presence of Archangel Gabriel.

The event is addressed to high school students. The lecture will be held by Prof. Katarzyna Kwapisz-Osadnik from the USil Faculty of Humanities.

• 10.00–11.30 a.m. – Meeting with Hebrew (Kato Science Corner, ul. Młyńska 2, Katowice)

The event aims to provide students with information about the origins and use of the Hebrew language. During the workshops, participants will learn the basics of this language and learn to write some words.

Lecture and workshops are addressed to high school students and will be held by Rev. Prof. Artur Malina from the USil Faculty of Theology.

Registration for the event is required via the form. Limit: 40 people. Registration closed – no places available!

• 6.00–7.30 p.m. – Book promotion: We Won’t Get Deported… The Jewish Resistance Fighters in Zagłębie Dąbrowskie (Silesian Library in Katowice, Plac Rady Europy 1)

We Won’t Get Deported… The Jewish Resistance Fighters in Zagłębie Dąbrowskie is the first compilation presenting the fate of girls and boys of the Jewish underground in Zagłębie Dąbrowskie. The publication is the result of the activities of the Cukerman’s Gate Foundation related to the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the liquidation of the ghettos in Będzin-Kamionka and Sosnowiec-Środula.

There are 170 names and surnames once belonging to fighters from the ghettos in Będzin and Sosnowiec. Some cases present full biographies, others – a single sentence based on the only information that has survived. Members of the resistance movement opposed Hitler’s plans for the Holocaust in various ways. Sometimes, it was armed resistance; other times, it was escaping from occupied Poland, hiding or saving others.

The event is addressed to the youth and adults. The meeting will be hosted by a journalist – Dominika Szczawińska. The editors of the book, Karolina Jakoweńko and Tomek Grząślewicz from the Cukerman’s Gate Foundation, which has been protecting the heritage of the Jews from Zagłębie since 2009, will talk about the history of the Jewish resistance movement in Będzin and Sosnowiec.

• 6.00–7.00 p.m. – Evangelical choir concert and bandura performance (Church of the Resurrection, ul. Warszawska 18, Katowice)

Thanks to the courtesy of the bishop, Rev. Marian Niemiec, PhD, the concert will take place in the Church of the Resurrection in Katowice. This church was the first brick religious building built in Katowice, and services, meetings and numerous concerts are held inside. Two choirs will perform during this event: Largo Cantabile and Largo.

Largo Cantabile is the choir of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession Parish in Katowice, while Largo is the choir of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession Parish in Świętochłowice. The conductor of both choirs is Iga Eckert – a graduate of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice (Faculty of Composition, Interpretation, Education and Jazz in the major of Eurhythmics, Conducting vocal and vocal-instrumental ensembles in the conducting class of Szymon Bywalec), two-time winner of the Promotion of Young Creators of Culture award of the Katowice City Hall.

Moreover, during the evening, you will be able to listen to the bandura performance – a Ukrainian string instrument combining elements of zither and lute. During this part of the show, we will be able to enjoy a performance by Mariia Ivanitska, a graduate of the Faculty of Ukrainian Folk Instruments, Ternopil State Music School, specialising in playing the bandura. Maria Ivanitska is now a student at the Faculty for Vocal–Acting, the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice.

Everyone interested is welcome to take part in the event.

• 5.20 – 6.50 p.m. – Ceramics workshops: ‘Three Cultures’ (Youth Palace in Katowice, Ceramics Studio, ul. Mikołowska 26, Room 19, ground floor

During the workshops, participants will work with clay to create their own interpretations of the symbols of their chosen culture: Jewish, Christian or Muslim.

The event is addressed to the youth aged 17+ and adults. The workshops will be held by Barbara Studziżba, MA.

Registration for the event is required via the form. Limit: 12 people.

• 6.00–6.30 p.m. – Introductory lecture on the film: From Jerusalem to Paris. A brief history of Notre-Dame (Kinoteatr Rialto, ul. Świętego Jana 24, Katowice)

The lecture will be held by Prof. Katarzyna Kwapisz-Osadnik from the USil Faculty of Humanities.

Sign-ups for the lecture and screening under one (registration form). Limit: 240 people.

• 6.30–8.15 p.m. – Film screening: Notre-Dame on Fire (Kinoteatr Rialto, ul. Świętego Jana 24, Katowice)

Notre-Dame on Fire tells a story of the fire that shocked not only France, but all of Europe in April 2019. A short introduction to the film will be a moment of reflection on the roots of Christianity in Europe, on the phenomenon of the first globalisation and on the consequences, often dramatic, of the coexistence of religions and cultures on our continent.

Event addressed to audiences over the age of 16.

Sign-ups for the lecture and screening under one (registration form). Limit: 240 people.

• 5.30–7.00 p.m. – Intercultural debate: Diversity of thought – thoughts about diversity (University of Silesia, Faculty of Humanities, ul. Uniwersytecka 4, Katowice, B/0.39, Prof. Ireneusz Opacki Lecture Hall)

The intercultural debate gives the opportunity to broaden one’s horizons regarding an extremely important topic – intercultural dialogue. It will be an opportunity to meet people representing different views, cultures, religions, as well as the opportunity to verify your own, often stereotypical views, which is the first step to building reliable knowledge based on facts.

The debate will feature:

• • Prof. Dariusz Kubok (Faculty of Humanities, University of Silesia in Katowice) – host of the debate.
  • Prof. Krzysztof Wieczorek (philosopher, USil Faculty of Humanities),
  • Imam Abdul Jabbar Koubaisy, PhD (Director of the Centre of Culture and Dialogue ‘Doha’, President of the Muslim Aid Foundation),
  • Rev. Adam Palion, PhD (Chair of Archdiocesan Committee for Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue, Editor in Chief of the Oecumenica Silesiana semi-annual.
  • Sławomir Pastuszka, PhD (historian, Jewish scholar, representative of the Jewish Religious Community in Katowice).

The event is addressed to the youth aged 15+ and adults.

• 10.00–10.30 a.m. – Lecture: ‘Science and faith and Islamic perspective’ (USil Faculty of Humanities, ul. Uniwersytecka 4, Katowice, B/1.1, Prof. Andrzej Pawlikowski Lecture Hall)

The lecture by Prof. Ibrahim Bin Saleh Al-Naimi aims to present the place of science in Islam. It will be an attempt to answer the frequently asked questions about where and how science and faith meet based on Muslim theologians, giving modern people the answer to fundamental questions about the universe.

The event is addressed to the youth aged 15+ and adults, and will be simultaneously translated into Polish. The lecture will be broadcast on YouTube in English and Polish.

The event will be held by His Excellency Prof. Ibrahim Bin Saleh Al-Naimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Qatar, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue in Qatar.

Sign-ups for four Saturday events under one (registration form). Limit: 90 people.

• 10.30–11.30 a.m. – Debate: ‘Science and religion. Separately or together? Where did we come from, where are we and where are we going?’

The intercultural debate will be an opportunity to exchange views on the place of religion in the world of science and the place of science in the world of religion. Can they be reconciled or should they be completely separated? Scholars will present their points of view inherent in the culture of their part of the world.

The event is addressed to the youth aged 15+ and adults, and will be simultaneously translated into Polish. The event will be broadcast on YouTube in Polish and English.

The debate will feature:

• • Paweł Jęrzejko, PhD, DLitt, Assoc. Prof. (USil Faculty of Humanities) – host of the debate,
  • Prof. Ryszard Koziołek, Rector of the University of Silesia,
  • Prof. Ibrahim Bin Saleh Al-Naimi (Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Qatar, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue in Qatar).

Sign-ups for four Saturday events under one (registration form). Limit: 90 people.

• 11.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. – Weekend meeting with Arabic culture. Moroccan Mint Tea ceremony and tasting, henna tattoos, Arabic music (USil Faculty of Humanities, ul. Uniwersytecka 4, Katowice, first floor)

The Mint Tea ceremony is an important element of Moroccan culture and tradition, symbolising hospitality, friendship and quality time with loved ones. The ritual includes several stages, from preparing tea to serving and drinking.

The meeting will be held by Hassna Ezzara, President of the Polish-Moroccan ARGAN Foundation.

Sign-ups for four Saturday events under one (registration form). Limit: 90 people.

• 11.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. – Arabic art of body decoration (USil Faculty of Humanities, ul. Uniwersytecka 4, Katowice, ground floor)

Painting the body with natural dyes is an extraordinary art. In the Arabic world, body decoration is the most often practised by women who use it on their hands and feet. Henna is a symbol of good luck, happiness, prosperity and fertility. A natural tattoo disappears from the skin after a few days.

The workshops will be held by Taghareed Al-hawsh, Maja Ibrahim and Zainah Al-selwi.

Sign-ups for four Saturday events under one (registration form). Limit: 90 people.

• 6.00–7.00 p.m. – Concert by Etnos Ensemble: ‘Three cultures. Three Religions’ (Silesian Theological Seminary, ul. Wita Stwosza 17a, Katowice, concert hall)

The Etnos Ensemble is a quintet of extraordinary instrumentalists. Each of them is a unique individual and has their own experiences gained in various projects. They were united by their love for ethnic music, which is beautiful, simple, vibrant and the closest to the soul of every person.

In their work, the gentlemen combine traditional folk inspirations: Slavic, Balkan, Klezmer and Arabic with elements of improvisation and jazz, bringing out what is unique, true and beautiful. They present an individual and original style, which is why it is difficult to define it as one genre. The work by Etnos Ensemble comes from the depths; it is true and sincere. Moreover, it combines traditional energy and elegance with a primal, ancient pulse.

Five musicians – one narrative:
Bartosz Pecan (clarinet),
Konrad Merta (accordion),
Piotr Gach (cello),
Michał Kapczuk (double bass),
Przemysław Pacan (percussion instruments).

Thanks to the courtesy of the rector of the Higher Silesian Theological Seminary in Katowice, Rev. Krzysztof Matuszewski and Rev. Marek Konsek (bursar of the Higher Silesian Theological Seminary), ‘Three cultures. Three Religions’ concert will take place in the recently renovated Concert Hall of the Higher Silesian Theological Seminary in Katowice.

The event will be held by Aniela Kucharska, PhD and Cecylia Tatoj, PhD. The concert coordinator is Ewa Kafel.

Registration for the concert is required via the form. Limit: 200 people.

• 10.00–10.30 a.m. – Introduction to the debate: ‘Three women. Three religions. Three points of view?’ (University of Silesia in Katowice, Faculty of Humanities, ul. Uniwersytecka 4, Katowice, Prof. Ireneusz Opacki Lecture Hall)

Does the fight against inequality and discrimination experienced by women contradict the defence of traditions, values and principles on which monotheistic systems are based? Is it possible to reconcile the pursuit of social progress with professing a religion that is not alien to the patriarchal vision of the world? Jewish, Christian and Muslim feminism are attitudes seeking compromise, combining tradition and modernity and going beyond dualistic thinking. What connects these trends? What is their effectiveness? What place do they occupy in contemporary religious thought and in the context of feminist movements? The lecture will try to encourage listeners to look for answers to these and other questions.

The lecture will be held by Magdalena Zdrada-Cok, PhD, DLitt, Assoc. Prof. from the USil Faculty of Humanities.

• 10.30–11.30 a.m. – Debate: ‘Three women. Three religions. Three points of view?’ (University of Silesia in Katowice, Faculty of Humanities, ul. Uniwersytecka 4, Prof. Ireneusz Opacki Lecture Hall)

The aim of the debate is to create a place to present different points of view and look for common values. Followers of the three largest monotheistic religions will be asked about the role of women in the family, the relationship between men and women and the role of women in society. The main value of the meeting will be to show that an attitude of mutual openness and understanding is possible and brings people hope for peace in the world.

The debate will feature:

• • Cecylia Tatoj, PhD (USil Faculty of Humanities – host of the debate),
  • Ewa Porada, PhD (Coordinator of the National Pastoral Program for Families),
  • Teresa Koubaisy (Muslim Aid Foundation),
  • Dorota Burchard (Vice-Chair of the Jewish Religious Community in Katowice).

• 11.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. – Workshops: Arabic art of body decoration (USil Faculty of Humanities, ul. Uniwersytecka 4, Katowice, ground floor)

Painting the body with natural dyes is an extraordinary art. In the Arabic world, body decoration is most often practiced by women who use it on their hands and feet. Henna is a symbol of good luck, happiness, prosperity and fertility. A natural tattoo disappears from the skin after a few days.

The workshops will be held by Taghareed Al-hawsh, Maja Ibrahim and Zainah Al-selwi, and concern the art of body painting with henna, which is an important element of Arabic culture.

• 12.00–13.30 p.m. – Lecture: Meeting with Morocco

The lecture aims to present the country of Morocco, which is still little known to Poles. Hassna Ezzara, a Moroccan who has been living in Poland for over 10 years, will begin the meeting with an introduction to the history and culture of her country, and then, showing colourful photographs, will talk about unknown corners, traditions and customs of this distant but fascinating nation.

The meeting will be held by Hassna Ezzara, President of the Polish-Moroccan ARGAN Foundation.

• 1.30-4.30 p.m. – Motifs and symbols of the Jewish cemetery (Jewish cemetery, ul. Kozielska 16, Katowice)

The lecture and guided tour of the Jewish cemetery in Katowice will be held by a famous historian, Judaist, documentarian of Jewish necropolises in Katowice, Kraków and Mikołów, and others – Sławomir Pastuszka, PhD (the Jewish Religious Community in Katowice).

The event is addressed to the youth aged 15+ and adults. Registration for the event is required via the form. Limit: 35 people.

• 3.00–3.45 p.m. – Lecture: In the footsteps of Jews of Katowice (Maria Skłodowska-Curie Secondary School no. 8, ul. 3 Maja 42, Katowice)

The lecture will be held by Włodzimierz Kac, Chair of the Jewish Religious Community in Katowice).

Registration for both the lecture and a tram ride with sightseeing is required via the form. Limit: 40 people. The event is addressed to the youth aged 15+ and adults.

• 4.00-6.00 p.m. – ‘Footsteps of Jews’ (Maria Skłodowska-Curie Secondary School no. 8, ul. 3 Maja 42, Katowice)

A ride in a historic tram on the Katowice–Będzin–Katowice route. Lecture with a visit to the Jewish prayer house located at the Cukerman’s Gate. Return by historic tram to Katowice.

The event will be held by Dariusz Walerjański (Chair of the Council of the Cukerman’s Gate Foundation).

Registration for both the lecture and a tram ride with sightseeing is required via the form. Limit: 40 people, including 16 seats and 24 standing places. The event is addressed to the youth aged 15+ and adults.