Katowice: Then and Now - the October Integration Meeting
The new academic year is a new beginning not only for the students, but also for the employees of the University of Silesia in Katowice. Those of them, especially, who have come from abroad, and who have recently started their work here, are surrounded by many new aspects of life. That is why, on the second weekend of October we went for a long walk around Katowice to make them feel more at home.
First Mr Piotr Fuglewicz, our guide and the author of books about Silesia, took us on a tour and told us about Katowice and its particular places and buildings (including the ones that don’t exist anymore) as well as about the history of Silesia. We learned many curious facts about, among other buildings, the Silesian Sejm, the monument of Marshal Piłsudski and the pre-war building of the Silesian Museum.
We finished our tour at the Culture Zone and continued our trip at the Silesian Museum. The museum guide showed us the amateur art gallery, some of the monuments of religious art, and then the exhibit of the history of the Upper Silesia region (with a little support from one of the participants who shared with us his knowledge about carbon).
We can say that on Saturday we experienced Silesia from top to bottom: we started on the roof of the Christ the King Cathedral, and finished in the underground rooms of the Silesian Museum. We also travelled in time – from modern times to the past and back. Our walk was an opportunity both to see the region and to get to know each other.
The October walk was the first integration meeting organized as a part of the project “Welcome2US – development of the potential of the University of Silesia in Katowice in the area of providing support for foreign employees” financed by the Polish National Agency of Academic Exchange (NAWA) as a part of the Welcome to Poland 2022 programme.
We want to thank the Silesian Museum and the sightseeing company Silesia Trip for co-organizing the trip.
Photo from the Welcome2US archive
GALLERY
Photo from the Welcome2US archive
Meeting point and our first monument to sightsee – the Archcathedral of Christ the King in Katowice
Photo from the Welcome2US archive
After greeting and introductions we are ready to start sightseeing.
Photo from the Welcome2US archive
Our guide, Mr. Piotr Fuglewicz shows us the city from the roof of the Cathedral.
Photo from the Welcome2US archive
Looking up – beautiful clouds, looking down – the cityscape. We have beautiful views everywhere.
Photo from the Welcome2US archive
We are looking at Katowice: old and new.
Photo from the Welcome2US archive
Our guide tells us the story of the Piłsudski monument.
Photo from the Welcome2US archive
We visited the square of Silesian Parliament as well and listened about Wojciech Korfanty.
Photo from the Welcome2US archive
In Muzeum Śląskie the museum guide answered all our questions.
Photo from the Welcome2US archive
Waiting to enter the journey in to the past of Upper Silesia.
Photo from the Welcome2US archive
Introductions at the beginning of the excursion.
Photo from the Welcome2US archive
Academy of Music in Katowice.
Photo from the Welcome2US archive
After seeing the city we were very curious about the museum exibitions.
Photo from the Welcome2US archive
One of participants of our excursion Adam Nadudvari, PhD shared his great knowledge about carbon. Our museum guide was also interested.
Photo from the Welcome2US archive
Before going back in time.
Photo from the Welcome2US archive
One of the exhibitions we saw was “Unprofessional Art”, usually created by miners. It really showed us the spirit of this place in those times.
