Contents

University news 2 Honorary doctorate for Adam Zagajewski 3 Last lecture of Prof. Andrzej Zoll 3 100th birthday of Prof. Adam Bielański 4 Beethoven: Sublimity and Enthusiasm 6 Chinese New Year’s celebrations at JU 7 JU student wins ‘Interstudent 2012’ International relations 18 Polish-French conference on legal systems 18 Agreement with the University of Baku 19 Polish-German-Ukrainian law seminar 20 Collaboration with Minzu University 21 DICE project with Ivano-Frankivsk 21 Visit to Regensburg

Features 8 Corpus Christi procession in Ghana as a manifestation of various identities

Student life 22 Orientation Day for Erasmus students 23 Conference of Students of Biophysics 24 A semester in Saint Petersburg 25 Concert of Collegium Musicum from Erlangen-Nürnberg

11 JU Polish Research Centre in London 12 New undergraduate programmes at JU Faculty of International and Political Studies 13 Human Rights Education Conference 17 Molecular biotechnology for health

No. 49 A. Wojnar HONORARY DOCTORATE FOR ADAM ZAGAJEWSKI

n 14 December 2012 Mr Adam Zagajewski received an the Vilenica Award in 1996, Adenauer Award in 2002 and honorary doctorate from the Jagiellonian University. International Neustadt Award in 2004. His works have been OHaving been familiarised with the resolution of the translated into many languages. JU Faculty of Polish Studies, the reviews prepared by Prof. He was born on 21 June 1945 in Lvov. His family was Anna Legeżyńska from the Adam Mickiewicz University in expelled from Lvov in the same year and moved to Gliwice, Poznań and Prof. Jacek Łukasiewcz from the University of central Poland, where he went to school. After graduation in Wrocław, and the resolutions issued by those universities, the 1963 Zagajewski studied psychology and philosophy at the Senate of the Jagiellonian University approved the decision to Jagiellonian University (1970). His literary debut – the poem grant doctor honoris causa to the eminent Polish poet Adam ‘Muzyka’ – was in 1963. Then he co-founded the Poetic Group Zagajewski. ‘Teraz.’ He also taught philosophy as a research fellow and worked as a member of the editorial staff of Student and Odra The award was to recognise Mr Zagajewski’s outstanding magazines. He was very active in the democratic opposition. achievements in literature, including: In 1982, he immigrated to Paris where he was associated • poetry expressing universal values and the unique with ‘Kultura.’ He lived there for 20 years. In 2002, he experience of an individual; returned to Poland, and now he resides in Kraków. His poem • commitment to maintaining balance between freedom of a Try to Praise the Mutilated World, printed in The New Yorker, lonely individual and social freedom as well as collective became famous after the 11 September attacks: solidarity in artistic work; • essays and poetry presenting the conviction that the You’ve seen the refugees heading nowhere, experience of beauty, search for truth and quest for good you’ve heard the executioners sing joyfully. are not some obsolete European utopia but the fundamental You should praise the mutilated world. right of every human; Remember the moments when we were together • the promotion of Polish literature around the world, in in a white room and the curtain fl uttered. particular focusing on the bonds between Polish and foreign Return in thought to the concert where music fl ared. poetry; You gathered acorns in the park in autumn • the message that culture and human values are the core of and leaves eddied over the earth’s scars. democracy and the preservation of memories of the past is Praise the mutilated world crucial for understanding the present. and the gray feather a thrush lost, Adam Zagajewski is an outstanding poet, novelist, essayist, and the gentle light that strays and vanishes and winner of many prestigious literary awards, including and returns. M. Kantor 2 NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 Last lecture A. Wojnar of Prof. Andrzej Zoll

ne of the most eminent Polish 1997) and the President of the Polish lawyers and Head of the Constitutional Tribunal (1993-97), the O Jagiellonian University Chair Polish Ombudsman (2000-2006) and is of Criminal Law Prof. Andrzej Zoll has the co-author of the Polish Penal Code retired. On 24 January 2013 he delivered of 1997. He is a member of the Polish the last lecture of his academic career. Academy of Sciences and the European In the hall of JU Auditorium Maximum Art and Science Academy in Salzburg. over 1,000 students of law listened to his Besides his academic activities lecture on necessary defence. ‘I feel huge he was also very active in public life satisfaction with all the years of my work in Poland. In 1989 he took part in the and I do not know how I should thank for round table negotiations as Solidarity’s them. But I am handing you over to good legal expert. hands. Perhaps it is my greatest success He has received many distinctions, – the hands of my disciples,’ with these including the Commander’s Cross of words Prof. Zoll ended his lecture. the Polonia Restituta, the Great Cross He was born in Sieniawa on 27 May with Star of the Order of Merit of the roles in various public offi ces and at the 1942. He graduated from the Faculty Federal Republic of Germany, the Grand Jagiellonian University. The ‘professors’ of Law of the Jagiellonian University Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash line of the Zolls have contributed to the in 1964. Judge Zoll earned his PhD in for Services to the Republic of Austria Polish law for almost one and a half 1968, and a habilitated doctor’s title in (1997), the Order of the Lithuanian ages, commencing from Fryderyk Zoll, 1973. In 1988 he became professor of Grand Duke Gediminas as well as ‘the Older,’ who was a well-known legal sciences. From 1994 he headed doctor honoris causa of the universities specialist in Roman law, through Prof. the Chair of Criminal Law of the of Vilnius and Mainz. Fryderyk Zoll, ‘the Younger,’ who was Jagiellonian University. During his work It is also worth mentioning that Prof. the JU Rector in 1912-13, co-founder at the JU he promoted several hundreds Zoll wrote a biography of his family of the Kraków school of civil law, of MA students and 30 PhD students. He entitled ‘Zollowie. Opowieść rodzinna’ the grandfather of Prof. Andrzej Zoll, is the author of three monographs and [The Zolls. A Family History], published and fi nally, Prof. Fryderyk Zoll, ‘the over 150 other publications in the area in 2011. It is a fascinating saga of the Youngest,’ (son of Prof. Andrzej Zoll) of criminal law, constitutional law and Zoll family who came from the region of who is continuing the family tradition as the philosophy of law. Württemberg, Germany, to Poland at the professor of civil law at the Jagiellonian Prof. Andrzej Zoll was a Justice beginning of the 19th century. Then soon University. of the Constitutional Tribunal (1989- became polonised and played important M. Kantor

100th birthday A. Wojnar of Prof. Adam Bielański

rofessor Adam Bielański is the education he enrolled in the Jagiellonian oldest scientist of the Jagiellonian University in 1931. He studied chemistry. PUniversity, the doyen and one of He was lucky to meet eminent chemists, the most outstanding Polish chemists including Prof. Tadeusz Estreicher, of his times. He has been involved in assistant to Karol Olszewski, who academic activities of almost 80 years. together with Zygmunt Wróblewski, had He is the pioneer and founder of the liquidated oxygen and nitrogen. He wrote Polish and Kraków school of catalysis, a his Master’s thesis (in 1936) and doctoral master and model for many generations dissertation under Prof. Adam Skąpski of scientists. He supervised over 30 at the Academy of Mining in Kraków. doctoral dissertations and wrote many The outbreak of World War II made it textbooks in physical and inorganic diffi cult for him to continue his career as chemistry. Prof. Bielański celebrated his the Nazi occupants closed all institutions 100th birthday on 14 December 2012. of higher education. Prof. Bielański He was born in Kraków in 1912. worked in the City Chemical Laboratory After having completed secondary and prepared his doctoral dissertation

NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 3 while taking clandestine courses. He From 1964 he worked as a professor of transmitting knowledge to his followers defended his PhD at the beginning of chemistry at the Jagiellonian University. and shaping their characters. Every day 1944 in conspirational conditions. Four He retired in 1983 but since then he has he walks from his house on the Vistula years later he received a one-year British been professor emeritus and conducted to the JU Faculty of Chemistry. Council scholarship to conduct research research in the Institute of Catalysis The Jagiellonian University in the Imperial College of Science and and Surface Chemistry of the Polish celebrated the special jubilee of Prof. Technology in London. After his return Academy of Sciences in Kraków. Bielański during the First National Forum he worked at the Academy of Mining Prof. Adam Bielański is still very of Inorganic Chemistry in the aula of an Metallurgy in Kraków (1949-64). In active and full of energy. He has excellent Collegium Novum on 6 December 2012. 1955, he received the title of professor. memory, didactic skills and charisma, M. Kantor

BEETHOVEN: SUBLIMITY AND ENTHUSIASM

Prof. Zdzisław Pietrzyk, who stressed that the library had preserved the music manuscripts in the best conditions and with enthusiasm made them accessible to readers. The emotions of sublimity and enthusiasm accompany both musicians and librarians. In turn, Prof. W. Nowak, he exhibition of music design – Lech Dziewulski. the JU Rector, said, ‘The Jagiellonian manuscripts at the Jagiellonian The opening of the exhibition Library is one of the University’s hearts T Library organised within the gathered numerous distinguished guests, that beats and pumps what it has as most framework of the 17th Ludwig van including the JU Rector Prof. Wojciech beautiful. The exhibition is integrated Beethoven Easter Festival was opened Nowak, the German Consul General Mr into the mission of the Jagiellonian on 14 March 2013. This year’s motto was Werner Köhler, the Consul General of the University – promotion of geniuses and ‘Beethoven: Sublimity and Enthusiasm,’ Republic of Slovakia Mr Marek Lisanský their works. It is a direct message which which was also the central idea of and the director of the festival Mrs the Internet, Facebook or IPad are not the entire festival. The curator of the Elżbieta Penderecka. The fi rst speaker was able to replace. The motto ‘Beethoven: exhibition was Michał Lewicki and the the Director of the Jagiellonian Library Sublimity and Enthusiasm’ was presented by Mrs Penderecka. She mentioned the special anniversaries that fell this year: the 200th births of Richard Wagner and A. Wojnar Giuseppe Verdi as well as the 100th birth of Witold Lutosławski and the 80th births of Krzysztof Penderecki and Henryk Mikołaj Górecki. The opening speeches were followed by K. Penderecki’s a chamber concert of String Quarter No. 3 ‘Leaves from an Unwritten Diary’ performed by the Amber Quartet. The exhibition ‘Beethoven: Sublimity and Enthusiasm’ shows the music manuscripts of such composers as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert, Mendelssohn or Brahms. Bach’s manuscripts draw special attention since they are rarely exhibited: Bach used brown ink on acid paper and consequently, his manuscripts are very sensitive to light. Another attraction of the exhibition is the The exhibition in the Jagiellonian Library letters written in the hands of Wagner to

4 NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 A. Wojnar

Witold Lutosławski Henryk Mikołaj Górecki Krzysztof Penderecki Symphonic Variations Symfony No. 2 ‘Copernican’ Violin Concerto No. 2 ‘Metamorphosen’ for Orchestra

Robert Schumann (Wagner described the works of Ludwig van Beethoven. In the of composition consisting of drafting and tastes of the Dresden audience) and of 18th and the 19th centuries the ideal of fi ne-tuning details and greater fragments Verdi to Francesco Regli. the sublime was usually associated with of the works. For contrast, they are The words of the motto were taken the potency and majesty of nature. In juxtaposed with the works of Mozart from the works of the outstanding his ‘Dictionary of Music’ Jean-Jacques and Schubert who, as generally believed, musical critic Ernst Theodor Amadeus Rousseau compared genius to a fi re used to write their works without changes Hoffmann who believed that music was burning in the artist and forcing him into and deletions as works revealed to their the most romantic of all the arts as it creation. Beethoven’s sketchbooks show minds in their fi nal forms. The sublime had infi nity for its subject and that the the enthusiasm lying at the foundations of the 18th and the 19th century music sublimity of romantic music had found of the artistic creation. They refl ect the is illustrated by the symphonies of the its most perfect embodiment in the extremely complex, multi-stage process Viennese classics. The autographs of the 20th century composers Witold Lutosławski (Symphonic Variations for Orchestra)

A. Wojnar and Henryk Mikołaj Górecki (Symphony No. 2 ‘Copernicus’) made us admire their thoroughness. Whereas the autograph of Krzysztof Penderecki (Violin Concerto No. 2 ‘Metamorphoses’) was written in tiny script, which shows his haste. Let us add that the majority of the documents on display come from the collection of the former Prussian State Library in Berlin, currently in the keeping of the Jagiellonian Library. The exhibition will be opened till 29 March 2013. They are supplemented with other documents from the Jagiellonian collection.

M. Kantor Based on the catalogue of the The concert during the opening of the exhibition in the Jagiellonian Library exhibition edited by M. Lewicki

NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 5 CChinesehinese NewNew YYear’sear’s ccelebrationselebrations atat JJUU

he Chinese traditionally celebrate the beginning of the New Year on the fi rst day of the fi rst month of Tthe lunar calendar. February 10, 2013 marked the beginning of the Black Water Snake. Traditional celebrations of this holiday, also known as the Spring Festival, last for two weeks. It is the most important period of the year for most of the Chinese. The Jagiellonian University celebrated the Chinese New Year a week earlier – on February 3, 2013 at Auditorium Maximum. The New Year’s celebrations were organised by the Centre for Chinese Language and Culture “the Confucius Institute in Kraków” for the sixth time. The highlight of the day was a show of the exceptional Guanxi province–based acrobatic troupe. The highly-acclaimed show fi lled the aula of Auditorium Maximum. A series of acts, including acrobatic ballet, roller-skating, juggling and balance beam routines fi red up spectators’ admiration. The show was preceded by a demonstration given by Choy Lee Fut adepts. They presented, among other tricks, a traditional lion dance based on kung- fu moves to the tune of drums and gongs. Throughout the whole day lectures concerning Chinese culture, not to mention calligraphy demonstrations, were organised. Workshops for children carried out on that day also enjoyed great popularity. Kids were able to taste Chinese tea, learn how to use chopsticks and tie lucky knots. It was evident that the colorful, R. Pipała rich tradition, culture and art of China attract plenty of Poles, regardless of their age. The Confucius Institute in Kraków affi liated with the Faculty for example regarding business negotiations in China. It also of International and Political Studies, Jagiellonian University, organises conferences, scientifi c symposia and exhibitions was established in 2006 as the fi rst such institution in Poland. of Chinese art. The Institute provides a library with Chinese The main role of the Institute is to promote the language and language teaching materials, publications about China as well culture of China. The Confucius Institute hosts language as multimedia resources. It coordinated a free books delivery courses as well as training for companies and institutions, project, distributing books (3,000) among schools and libraries

Celebrations in Auditorium Maximum R. Pipała

6 NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 in Poland between 2011 and 2012. In cooperation with several R. Pipała schools in Kraków it actively promotes the Chinese language, and each month it organizes for the youngest successful workshops “Meetings with Panda” devoted to the culture of China. Detailed information about the Centre for Chinese Language and Culture “The Confucius Institute in Kraków” can be found at the website:

www.instytutkonfucjusza.pl

Natalia Ożegalska-Łukasik

JU STUDENT WINS ‘INTERSTUDENT 2012’

ong Huat Hoh, a student of Department of Histology, the Department the fourth year of medicine of Transplantology of the JU Institute of Hat the School of Medicine in Paediatrics as well as the Department English of the JU Collegium Medicum, of Biochemistry of the University of was recognised as the best foreign Lausanne, Switzerland. Soon he will student in Poland in the category of MA begin working on a new project related students in the competition ‘Interstudent to the induced pluripotent stem cells at 2012,’ organised by the ‘Perspektywy’ the JU Institute of Paediatrics. Educational Foundation. His scientifi c achievements include Hong Huat comes from Malaysia and the fi rst award in the team competition is a student of the six-year programme of of General Anatomic Knowledge medicine at the Jagiellonian University ‘Golden Scapula’ in 2010 and the Faculty of Medicine. As a graduate of fi rst award in the poster session at the Yoke Kuan Secondary School he was International Conference of Medical distinguished as ‘Best Overall Student Students in Kraków in 2012. In that of the year’ in 2007 and a year later he year he participated in the University J. Sawicz received the National Scholarship of of Lausanne Summer Undergraduate Hong Huat Hoh the Malaysian Government of Public Research (SUR) Programme Scholarship Service Department. He came to Poland 2012. studies he has showed extraordinary in September 2009 to study at the Hong Huat Hoh belongs to the best skills. Due to his excellent results in Jagiellonian University. He has been students of medicine at the JU Faculty exams in anatomy he did not have to involved in research projects at the of Medicine. Since his fi rst year of take the fi nal exam. According to Prof. Jerzy Walocha from the JU Chair of Anatomy Mr Hoh is characterised by unusual enthusiasm and motivation J. Sawicz to studying. His infectious zeal for knowledge has inspired many students to raise their qualifi cations. Moreover, Prof. Walocha stressed his charming personality and self-discipline thanks to which Hong Huat won respect of his peers and teachers. His average overall grade is 4.87 (maximum 5.0). He is also a member of the International Federation of Medical Students Associations. He knows Malaysian, Chinese, English as well as Polish and German. On 31 January 2013, Prof. Piotr Laidler, JU Vice-Rector for Collegium Medicum, congratulated Mr Hoh on winning the competition and wished him further spectacular successes.

Prof. Piotr Laidler congratulating Mr Hoh; in the middle: Prof. J. Walocha M. Kantor

NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 7 Corpus Christi procession in Ghana as a manifestation of various identities

he ethnographic fi eld research I conducted in the central it with the celebration of the Feast of Christ the King, which part of Ghana was concerned with a concept of ‘lived falls on the last Sunday of the liturgical year, before Advent. Treligion’ and was focused on an example of a Catholic This seems to be better timing for this region, as the feast then community in the town of Jema as well as neighbouring takes place in November (i.e. during a dry season). This is also hamlets and villages (South Kintampo District in the Brong a time when people in southern and central Ghana can enjoy Ahafo region).1 In this article I will analyze an example of the fresh yam crops and are able to relax a bit after a period of Corpus Christi procession performed in this community to intensive farming. discuss how – during this religious ritual - various identities It is also worth adding that, in popular Ghanaian theology, and group associations are shaped, represented, negotiated, the concept of Christ as king, which recalls a familiar fi gure crosscut and practiced. My use of the term ‘identity’ will of ɔhene (king, chief), is more readily comprehensible than mostly be concerned with its communal and social dimension. the abstract concept of Christ present in the Eucharist. The I am stating that identities are created, re-created, discovered, Catholic understanding of ‘Eucharist’ seems additionally ANidźidź revealed, and shaped through social and cultural actions. While problematic in the African context – where sharing a communal identities are established and accepted in social and cultural meal with everybody is a very basic expression of the unity actions, they need to be further re-established, confi rmed, of life. The exclusive distribution of communion among manifested or transformed in public rituals. In that sense those who fulfi l sacramental and Catholic moral standards is identities are dynamic and constantly negotiated communal often not understood by people who attend Catholic or other concepts. Religious public practices are to reveal and confi rm, Christian churches in Ghana. The percentage of communicants fi rst and foremost, denominational identities. These practices in Ghanaian Catholic churches is usually very low. In the Jema very often, however, reveal a mixture of other identities which parish, many members of the Catholic community, among might appear in various confi gurations. them very active ones (like choir members, members of various The Corpus Christi Feast is one of those occasions when church societies and even catechists from out-stations) are not members of the Jema parish manifest their Christian identity communicants. This is most often due to lack of baptism or within the public space of their town in a very spectacular due to their marital status (lack of sacramental matrimony). way. What is more, Corpus Christi is a celebration connected Without a doubt, several Catholic moral concepts are foreign with the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist, and, as such, to traditional values of many African cultures and do not is unique to the Catholic Church. In the religiously diverse sound convincing in local cultural settings. This is especially setting of central Ghana, this aspect is important as the Corpus true for Catholic concepts connected with monogamous and Christi procession goes through the various quarters of the indissoluble marriages as well as the Christian concept of sin, town inhabited by people belonging to various tribes and free will and personhood. various religious denominations (Muslims, traditionalists and In November 2010, a few days before the Corpus Christi numerous Christian denominations). Many of my informants procession, the church elders of the Jema Catholic parish noted this celebration as a presentation of their church visited a local chief to deliver an offi cial invitation to the feast affi liation and expression of belonging to the specifi c Christian (on behalf of the Catholic community). The most important community. (and accepted by the chief) was an invitation for the opening In Ghana, celebrations of Corpus Christi are adjusted to and blessing of newly built classrooms in the Catholic Primary local climate conditions. In the Catholic calendar, the Corpus Christi feast is celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, which is the fi rst Sunday after Pentecost. As a result, Corpus Christi usually falls on the month of June. In Ghana, however, June is the culmination of a rainy season and a very intensive working period for farmers. Because of this, parish priests in the Ghanaian Church are allowed to decide whether to celebrate Corpus Christi on its usual date, or to combine

1 During the years 2009-2013, I visited Ghana four times. My fi eld research in Jema was based on three stays (December 2009-February 2010 and November 2010-February 2011, December 2012-February 2013). The 2010-2011 studies were part of a research project fi nanced by the Polish Ministry of Science and Education. Additionally, I would like to express my special thanks to Prof. Jan Święch, the Dean of the Faculty of History, Jagiellonian University, and Ass. Prof. Marcin Brocki the Director of the Institute of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology of the Jagiellonian University, without whose encouragement and support the 2012-2013 research trip would not be possible. A. Niedźwiedź Corpus Christi procession in Jema parish. COSRA (Catholic Organization 8 NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 for Social and Religious Advancement) member in her societal attire characteristics of contemporary popular African Christianity. Many researchers and theologians point out that the Christian concept of a person as a morally responsible individual is signifi cantly distinct from the traditional African communal and relational defi nition of a human being. This dispute concerning the concept of a person and understanding of a community reveals a signifi cant shift which has developed in African Christianity within the last few decades. The individualistic approach, which predominated the missionary attempts of historical Western missions in the past, is often highlighted by contemporary African theologians and philosophers as one of the crucial sources of tensions and confl icts between Christianity and traditional African ontology and cosmology. Therefore, in the contemporary approach, which is developing within various branches of African Christianity, the communal aspect of Christian religion is emphasized, appreciated and redefi ned in the context of African traditions. John Mbiti, one

A. Niedźwiedź of the most prominent African Christian philosophers and an ordained Anglican priest, even fi nds a parallel between the Dagaaba men dancing during Corpus Christi procession Christian idea of the Church as the “Christian family” and “African traditional life in which kinship and the extended School, which was a signifi cant point in a two-day long Corpus family play a central role.” Also the Dutch anthropologist Christi and Christ the King feast. During the same visit, the Marleen de Witte points out that “on a local and social level, elders asked the chief for a special favour: could he lend them the church can […] be seen as a secondary family.” his ceremonial decorative umbrella? They wanted to use Various communal identities were visibly manifested the umbrella – which in Ghana is a symbol of royalty and is during the procession in Jema. Apart from general ties bonding used during public appearances by chiefs and queen mothers all participants of the procession, smaller groups prominently – during the procession as a canopy above the monstrance presented their affi liations. The internal divisions within the holding the Eucharist. Catholic community of Jema parish are divided into two strong On the Sunday of the feast, after a lengthy outdoor morning forms of identity: tribal and societal. The tribal composition service outside the Catholic Church, a festive procession began. of the parish mirrors the tribal composition of the district and People clapped and danced as they followed a jazz brass band the region (Brong Ahafo). One group consists of local people and traditional Dagaaba drummers. As the procession wound (Bono) and the other Akan (all of them speak Twi as their through the town of Jema the dancing became so ecstatic that primary language). The other group is generally referred to as it caused a huge cloud of dust. The dust stirred up a little bit ‘the Northerners’ – they include various tribes from the northern of envy and a lot of admiration among the spectators from parts of the country (Frafra, Dagaaba, Grusi, Konkomba, etc.). other churches and denominations. Above the cloud of dust Tribal identities are publicly manifested during each Sunday and above the heads and clapping hands of dancing people service as Twi and Dagaaba choirs appear in a negotiated order was the chief’s ceremonial umbrella shaking rhythmically during the mass celebration. The Twi choir leads during the and protecting the golden monstrance with the Eucharist. main parts of the service and the Dagaaba choir leads during The scene was deceptively similar to the scene I witnessed in the so-called second-collection.2 During the Corpus Christi exactly the same place just two weeks before. During the local procession, this division also appeared as the Twi choir – in yam festival, a similar procession ran through the town of Jema its distinctive attire – led the procession and was followed by and the exact same ceremonial red umbrella was rhythmically the local people while the Dagaaba choir with drums followed shaken. However, at that time, the chief was in the shadow the monstrance. All of the ‘Northerners’ gathered around ‘their of the umbrella; wearing his royal jewellery and holding his music’ – and danced to the rhythms of their dances. swords, he was carried on the arms of his people after he Colourful attires and uniforms of different societies publicly ate the new, fresh yams – offi cially completing one represent identities connected with small communities. farming cycle and opening the new one. Catholic parishes in Ghana are very strongly based on small The monstrance and the Eucharist on the Corpus Christi communities and various groups which are organised and led feast appeared in Jema under an umbrella, which is an easily by lay people. On the one hand, these are prayer groups which recognizable attribute of ɔhene. People, surrounding the organise prayer meetings, healing sessions and Bible studies. monstrance and dancing in the ecstatic crowd, expressed On the other hand, the small communities work as strong, feelings of happiness and togetherness. Like the traditional supportive social groups literally creating a second family for African annual festivals, during which all of the community members gather together, the Corpus Christi celebrations are treated as a very serious communal matter. In African societies 2 In Ghanaian Catholic churches there are usually organised two being present, participating actively and contributing to the collections of monetary donations. The fi rst one is connected with the communal good is seen as the highest value and as a social collection plate during the offertory part of Mass. The second one is obligation. organised during the notices and often turns into an extensive dancing Sensus communis is a fundamental feature of a traditional and community celebration. Financial gifts from the second collection African worldview and it is also one of the most visible are usually allotted to the expenses of the parish community managed by the church elders. n NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 9 Africanized (e.g. the usage of the chief’s umbrella, the pattern of the procession following local traditional festivals) and represent the concept of A. Niedźwiedź African Christianity as lived religious identity of local Catholics. Secondly, various communal affi liations are revealed and reinforced during the procession. Those communal identities appear on different levels: tribal, linguistic, societal, gender and age-related. As confi rmed during further fi eld research, the public manifestation of the group identity during the procession is perceived as the confi rmation of involvement in A street stand with meat-pie in Techiman, The Divine Mercy image held by societal issues. Members of various February 2010 members of the Catholic community smaller communities, that reveal their identities during the procession, their members. Those who are in the same society often call feel obliged to actively participate in various reciprocal each other ‘brother’ or ‘sister’ and treat each other as members activities within their identity group, which often serve as a of an extended family.3 Members of these societies support support group and secondary family. What is more, religious each other in the event of spiritual problems, including bad context and religious identities coexist with other identities dreams and witchcraft accusations. They are also expected and in certain circumstances they can reinforce each other to give each other fi nancial support, especially during life- and empower new identities, like strengthening female gender changing or life-crisis situations (i.e. illness, giving birth, a identity which appeared in the discussed case. death in the family, marital crises). In the Jema parish, there are Religious festive occasions in today’s Africa represent ties more than ten different groups and societies of this kind (e.g. which are lived and practiced on local levels and in people’s the Legion of Mary, St. Anthony’s Guild, Charismatic Renewal daily routines. As pointed out by J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, Group, Males Society and the Catholic Youth Organization). a Ghanaian researcher studying contemporary religious life in Members of all of these groups attend the Corpus Christi his country, ‘religion and life, both private and public, remain and Christ the King celebrations wearing societal attire and strongly linked in Africa.’ taking responsibility for various parts of the feast. Sometimes Anna Niedźwiedź, societal affi liations overlap with tribal identities. In the Jema JU Institute of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology parish this tendency for combining tribal and societal identities is apparent in two very active women’s organizations: the Members of Women’s Council carrying the monstrance during Christian Mothers’ Association and the Catholic Women’s the Corpus Christi procession in the Jema parish, Association. The Christian Mothers’ Association consists November 2010 almost entirely of ‘Northerners’ while a prevailing number of the Catholic Women’s Associations are Akan. The 2010 Corpus Christi procession was a huge moment of pride for members of both Women’s Societies as they carried the platform with the monstrance during part of the procession as the representatives of the Parish Women’s Council. This was a moment of feminine unity and manifestation of gender identity which prevailed over the societal and tribal identities. All of the interviewed women emphasized the uniqueness of this event, which – in their eyes – showed the importance and active role of women in contemporary African churches opposite – as they stated – to traditional African setting dominated by males. *** The Corpus Christi procession in one of the typical Catholic parishes in the central part of Ghana, which can be seen as an example of a religious public ritual, is used by its participants as a means of establishing, confi rming, creating and manifesting various – not only religious – identities. First of all, the Christian frames of the procession are very strongly

3 Actually in Ghana, like in many other African countries, the terms designating ‘brothers’ or ‘sisters’ are often related not only

to immediate siblings but also to cousins and members of extended A. Niedźwiedź family (abusua).

10 NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 Jagiellonian University Polish Research Centre in London

ondon has been a special place for Polish immigrants Study programmes, i.e. the crux of the matter since at least World War II. Recently the United Since 2011 the Jagiellonian University Polish Research LKingdom has again become the destination of Poles, Centre in London has offered two postgraduate programmes and increasingly more Polish people decide to live in the British (‘Polish-British Strategic Partnership in the EU and NATO’ Isles. The 2012 census showed that Polish was the second and ‘Teaching Polish as a Second Language with Elements most popular language (after English) in the UK, and Poles of Polish Culture’) and a doctoral seminar. The postgraduate are the second biggest immigrants’ group (after the Hindus). programmes are organised in collaboration with the Polish These data make one refl ect on the situation and needs of University Abroad and thus their graduates receive the JU Polish people living in the British Isles. This refl ection led to and PUNO diplomas. For two years both programmes have the creation of the Polish Research Centre in London, i.e. the been popular with students. The programmes and the doctoral Jagiellonian University fronton in the British Isles. First of all, seminar will be available in the academic year 2013/14. the Centre meets the needs of Polish immigrants – growing in October 2013 will be a turning point as the Jagiellonian number and signifi cance – to the UK and at the same time it is University begins its fi rst BA and MA in International Relations to promote Polish science and to encourage British scientists to in London. The study programmes aim at attracting both Poles deal with the study of Poland. and the British.

Two Universities World of Science The JU Polish Research Centre in London uses the The innovative offer of the PON is also directed to British experience and combines the potential of two unique institutions scientists of Polish origin who deal with social sciences and of higher education: the oldest Polish university and the the humanities. It offers grants to conduct research concerning Polish University Abroad (PUNO), which has educated Polish Poland. In 2013 there will be ten grants: fi ve will be given immigrants in the UK for over 70 years. The collaboration to PhD holders and fi ve to doctoral students. Grants are between these two institutions is an extraordinary chance to exceptional ways to promote the knowledge of Poland in integrate the environments of the old and new generations of academic environments through research and publications. Polish immigrants. In turn, the achievements of Polish scientists and Polish institutions of higher education will be presented at a special Unique place conference organised in London. The activities of the Centre extend between Kraków and It is worth mentioning the Jagiellonian Lectures which London. Although the heart of the Centre beats within the walls the Polish University Abroad has organised since October of the Jagiellonian University it has an offi ce in the capital of 2012. They are prestigious open lectures concerning Poland the United Kingdom located in the historical building of the and Polish-British relationships delivered in English by Polish Hearth Club in the prestigious Exhibition Road. Apart acknowledged authorities. from the offi ce the building hosts the Information Centre on Polish universities as well as study programmes and research in Beyond the Academia Poland. The Centre promotes Poland among British scientists In the year 2013 the Polish University Abroad has launched as a place to continue higher education and conduct research. It non-academic activities. They include workshops on Polish is also a meeting place of numerous Poles who come here with language and culture as well as courses of English. The latter various problems, questions and ideas. are directed to those who have come to the United Kingdom

N.&M. Zakrzewski

PON students in London Workshop on economic strategic planning with Peter Kalinowski

NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 11 New undergraduate programmes at JU Faculty of International Sz. Szyndlar and Political Studies

he JU Faculty of International and Political Studies and the School of International Studies offer two brand new undergraduate Tprogrammes, one of which is a full-time BA degree at the Institute of Political Sciences (3 years or within the framework of a one-year Study Abroad), and the other at the Centre of European Studies (CES) within the framework of Study Abroad (1 semester or 1 year).

Summer Seminar – a trip to the Tatras International Relations and Area Studies A brand new undergraduate, interdisciplinary programme is taught but they do not speak English at all or their level of English entirely in English. The programme aims to provide broad knowledge makes it diffi cult to function in their new homeland. The and understanding of international political processes, institutions, ideas workshops on Polish culture and language are directed fi rst and cultures. It has been designed for those who work or wish to work of all to the descendants of Polish immigrants for whom the within the fi elds of strategy, security, culture and political analysis in Polish language is not the fi rst one. Naturally, the British and either governmental or non-governmental organisations, international other English-speaking people can participate in the workshops institutions, development agencies, the media or private industry. if they want to deepen their knowledge of Polish culture. BA students in the second year of their studies choose a Two summer schools will be organised as well. One of specialization from among three options: them will attract descendants of Polish immigrants who have – International Security: this specialization module views graduated in prestigious study fi elds, who are studying at security from a broad theoretical and historical perspective. It aims Western universities and seeking reliable social-economic- to provide sound knowledge of contemporary international relations scientifi c contacts in Poland. The other is directed to the with a special focus on security issues, politics, the causes of war as entrepreneurial representatives of the new wave of immigrants well as the use and control of force. from Poland, university graduates who are seeking ways – Politics and Culture: this specialisation focuses on the nature to improve their situations as immigrants to the UK. These of the political world as seen from a cultural perspective. It explores schools aim at promoting business and social entrepreneurship topics like: global migrations and their consequences, human rights as well as freeing the creative potential of Poles. Consequently, and democracy, cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue. it will lead to changes of immigrants’ economic situations and – Area Studies: this specialisation provides knowledge on history, improvement of the image of Poles and Poland among the civilization, social and political issues of various regions of the world. British society. In the second year, students select two regions out of fi ve available units: Europe, Russia and other Commonwealth of Independent States Visibility countries, the Middle East and North Africa, East Asia and the United The PON web page is powerful. The portal in Polish and States, Canada and Latin America. Programme Duration: three years English presents the activities of the Centre, an interactive (6 semesters) map of the Polish London, a database of Polish researchers The programme is designed for students who wish to work in in the United Kingdom as well as information about study the fi elds of strategy, security, culture, and political analysis in either programmes in Poland. One can also see fi lms in English, for governmental or non-governmental organisations, international example ‘Taking a walk around the Polish London’ depicting institutions, development agencies, the media and private industry. the places related to Polish history and famous Poles. At present It is open for all those who wish to acquire further qualifi cations and a new Polish and English service dedicated to scientifi c, social pursue post-graduate university courses in related academic areas. It and cultural events of the Polish community in the UK is being will meet students’ needs who have a more general interest in foreign constructed. It will popularise the activities of Poles living in policy and international relations, and want to demonstrate a sound the UK and will make them involved in common projects. Last grasp of international affairs to future employers. The programme is but not least, it will present the British the scale of the Poles’ also suitable for students wishing to pursue a ‘Study Abroad’ option, in activities. which case the course duration is one year. ECTS: 180. The JU Polish Research Centre in London wants to meet Undergraduate Study Abroad Programme the current needs of Polish immigrants. By using modern technologies and innovative approaches it can successfully The aim of the study abroad programme is to introduce students realise a large spectrum of tasks. Being proud of its successes to the inner workings of the European Union and its institutions as the Centre is aware of numerous challenges and diffi cult tasks well as to teach them about Poland’s role in the EU and the CEE it faces. However, taking up the challenges is exciting and a region. It is a great opportunity to learn from regional experts about vision of success brings optimism and gives a feeling of sense European politics, economics and societies and to gain profi ciency in to continue work for the cause of the development of the the Polish language. Students can do all this while still having time Jagiellonian University Research Centre in London. to explore Kraków, Poland and the Central European region and are The project is co-fi nanced from the funds granted by the encouraged to attend CES organised study trips and city tours, which Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the contest for the public task provide the type of knowledge and insight that cannot be gained from ‘Cooperation with Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad.’ books alone. www.pon.uj.edu.pl Programme Duration: one or two semesters, suitable for Hanna Tucznio undergraduate students; ECTS: regular courses – 6 ECTS; language courses – 8 ECTS. www.sis.uj.edu.pl; e-mail: [email protected] Michał Rzepecki 12 NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 ecember 6, 2012 marked the beginning of the Third DInternational Conference on Human Rights Education – ‘Promoting Changes in Time of Transition and Crisis.’ After Sydney (2010) and Durban (2011), Kraków for a few days became a venue for scholars and activists of human rights from all over the world. The event gathered outstanding guests, starting from the opening speech given by H.E. Lech Wałęsa, former President of Poland and charismatic leader of the ‘Solidarność’ Trade Union, a symbol of the peaceful transformation from communism to democracy in Poland and human rights activist. A. Rataj President Lech Wałęsa emphasized the signifi cance of human rights education Plenary sessions in the main hall of Auditorium Maximum for today’s world societies and stated that we must agree upon the values Ozdowski, President of the Australian Prof. Sev Ozdowski emphasised that according to which we were to live in Council for Human Rights Education Poland had been an inspiration for the third millennium. and originator of the fi rst conference the world as for transformation of the Afterwards the participants were in Sydney. Prof. Mania expressed hope communist system into democracy and welcomed by the Vice-Rector for that thanks to the conference, new constituted a good practice example for

The Third International Conference on Human Rights Education in Kraków educational affairs Prof. Andrzej international co-operation possibilities countries currently seeking to achieve a Mania, representing the Jagiellonian would be opened and more efforts, also democratic transformation. University authorities, as the host of academic, would be made to secure Other welcoming speeches were the conference, as well as by Prof. Sev human dignity all around the world. delivered by Prof. Jacek Majchrowski, the President of the City of Kraków, Mr Marek Sowa, the Marshal of Małopolska Voivodship, and Prof. Bogdan Szlachta,

A. Rataj the Dean of the Faculty of International and Political Studies of the Jagiellonian University.

Plenary sessions and conference panels Plenary sessions started on Friday morning with the issue of ‘Central Europe as an Example of Successful Transition from Communism to Democracy.’ The case of Poland was introduced by Prof. Janusz Cisek, the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the case of Czechoslovakia by Msgr. Václav Malý, the Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Prague. Dr Reinhild Otte (the Council of Europe) spoke on ‘Period of Transition in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe – the Role of the Council of Europe in Promoting Education for Conference participants during the plenary session at the State Higher School Democracy and Human Rights.’ in Oświęcim

NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 13 The next talks regarded ‘New judgments of the Court through general at the University Level in Taiwan’ and Technologies and Human Rights measures and individual measures in the brought to light the plans for the 2013 Education’ as well as ‘Welfare Rights home country. International Conference on Human in Times of Austerity Crisis.’ The On the third day of the conference, Rights Education to be hosted in Taipei. speakers were: Prof. Marek Szymoński the plenary sessions were dominated In the evening Cardinal Turkson and (Jagiellonian University, Head of the by bioethics, biotechnology and human Cardinal Dziwisz celebrated Mass at the Department of Physics of Nanostructrures rights education. The chair of the Kraków Curia Chapel. and Nanotechnology) – ‘Nanotechnology session was Prof. Andrzej Rzepliński, – Threats and Opportunities for Human the President of the Constitutional Rights and Human Rights Education’; Tribunal of the Republic of Poland. Visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau Dr Christopher Kullenberg (Gothenburg A very up-to-date issue was broached camp and Oświęcim University, Telecomix) – ‘Does Internet by Prof. Christian Hillgruber from the On Sunday early morning, with Freedom Have a Price? Examples from University of Bonn who spoke about temperatures that reached minus the Arab Spring’; Mrs Christiana Maria ‘The Protection of Human Life in 13 degrees Celsius, the conference Mauro (AK Vorrat, Legal Advocate) the Prenatal Phase – A Constitutional participants went to Oświęcim. The trip – ‘Promoting Civil Liberties in a Digital Perspective.’ Following this, Msgr. Prof. was divided into three parts. The fi rst one World: Data Retention and its Normative Piotr Mazurkiewicz from the Cardinal was a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Implications’; Mr Piotr Waglowski Stefan Wyszynski University presented State Museum, the former Nazi German (Polish Chamber of Information bio-ethical issues in the framework Concentration Camp. The emptiness, the Technology and Telecommunication; of the EU-policy. Subsequently, Prof. whiteness of the snow and the prevailing Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Sigrid Sterckx representing the Ghent cold helped us to realise the cruelty of Warsaw) – ‘National Languages in the Bioethics Institute, focused on the life and death in the concentration camp Era of Globalisation vs. Equal Treatment ‘Research and Commercialization of during the Second World War. Auschwitz by Public Authorities.’ Human Body Material: Refl ections is a symbol of the deprivation of every Conference panels covered a variety from a Human Rights Perspective.’ A aspect of human rights. of topics, ranging from the pedagogy of special presentation on ‘Globalization In the afternoon, as a contrast to the human rights education to human rights and Governance in the 21st century’ past of Auschwitz, the present town of organisations in Poland and human rights was delivered by Prof. Helen Milner, Oświęcim was shown. Visitors saw the education in post-communist countries. the President of International Political Oświęcim Chewra Lomdei Misznajot There were also three workshops held Science Association, Professor at Synagogue where Prof. Jonathan by the Polish Red Cross, Amnesty Princeton University, USA. The role of Webber, member of the International International and Polish Helsinki the Catholic Church in Human Rights Auschwitz Council advising the Foundation for Human Rights. During the Protection was shown by Cardinal Peter Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum latter Prof. Ireneusz Kamiński, a Polish Kodwo Appiah Turkson, President of the 1990-2012, told a personal story of its lawyer who represents Polish citizens in Pontifi cal Council for Justice and Peace. rediscovery and restoration after the front of the European Court of Human During the afternoon plenary session, communist times. Another important Rights in Strasbourg, explained the legal the issue of human rights in Africa and monument visited on that day was a situation of parties after winning a case Asia was discussed. Prof. Mab Huang Gothic castle from the 12th century, at the European Court of Human Rights from the Soochow University in Taipei which was once the seat of the prince of and possibility of the implementation of presented ‘Human Rights Education the Oświęcim-Zator Duchy. The castle has now been turned into a museum. The third part of the trip to Oświęcim took place at the Witold Pilecki State A. Rataj School of Higher Education. The conference participants and invited guests were welcomed by Prof. Witold Stankowski, the Rector of the School. With reference to the place visited in the morning, the plenary session pondered the question ‘How could KL Auschwitz have ever happened? Universalism vs. Particularism of Human Rights.’ At fi rst, Prof. Jonathan Webber from the Centre of Holocaust Studies of the Jagiellonian University spoke about the ‘Signifi cance of Auschwitz for the Contemporary Jews.’ Professor Webber stated that ‘Auschwitz is a place of great contradictions which belongs to everyone and to anyone, which is incomprehensible and hard to The main gate to the former Nazi German Concentration Camp Auschwitz understand. For contemporary Jews it is

14 NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 a symbol of a great loss, the greatest in hate speech in politics and disregarding Ms Krystyna Mrugalska, the President the existence of the Jewish nation.’ other people as alarming. ‘If we do not of the Polish Association for Persons Then Prof. Peter Hommelhoff, recognise those threads and do not react with Mental Handicap. the former Rector of the University of promptly to the hate in political life and The conference ended with the Heidelberg, delivered a talk entitled just ignore it, we can be faced with very Ombudsman Panel featuring Prof. Irena ‘The Signifi cance of Auschwitz for the far reaching negative consequences, Lipowicz (Ombudsman for Poland), Contemporary Germans.’ He presented which can lead to political destabilisation Mr Peter Tyndall (Ombudsman for three approaches to Auschwitz in and deprivation of human rights and Wales) and Ms Caroline C. Z. Sokoni Germany: (1) the German elites and freedoms,’ Prof. Zoll said. (Ombudsman for Zambia), who constitutional rule of inviolability of discussed the issue of human rights in the human dignity; (2) general population Paweł Włodkowic Award digital world – threats and challenges. and the phantom of the Nazi past and (3) for Human Rights Work The conference included both German education after Auschwitz. On the fi nal day of the conference, theoretical and practical issues and had In turn, Prof. Andrzej Zoll from the Paweł Włodkowic Prize Award a special focus on the cultural, social the Jagiellonian University, the former Ceremony took place. Prof. Irena and political change, as illustrated by Polish Ombudsman and President of Lipowicz, the Polish Ombudsman, the Polish transition from communism the Constitutional Tribunal, discussed presented the Paweł Włodkowic Award to democracy over the last twenty years. the signifi cance of Auschwitz for for Human Rights Work whereas Prof. It was an opportunity to meet scholars human rights. Prof. Zoll underlined Bogdan Szlachta presented the fi gure and human rights activists from all over that there was no better place to debate of Paweł Włodkowic, the 15th century the world and to initiate long-term co- about human rights than Auschwitz. He rector of the Jagiellonian University, operation between universities and also expressed his concerns about the who had already refl ected on the status between NGOs, for which human rights vanishing remembrance and threads of a human being and his/her rights. education is of the greatest priority. to the rule of law in today’s world. He Afterwards the 2012 laureate was Anna Rataj, described the common practice of using announced. This year’s award went to JU Faculty of Law and Administration

Nanotechnology – Threats and Opportunities for Human Rights and Human Rights Education

The talk of Prof. Marek Szymoński (JU Department of Physics of Nanostructures and Nanotechnology) is an interesting example of new technologies vs. human rights education. He began by asking the question, ‘Do technology and science development have anything to do with human rights?’ Answering this question he presented the following table:

Impact of progress in Science & Technology (S&TP) on Human Rights

The exercise of: Impact of progress in: Issues affected:

medicine, biology, gene technology, birth and death, in vitro, euthanasia, Article 3. The right to life nuclear technology… untested drugs … Article 5. The right to physical and chemistry, psychology, behaviour interrogation, use of drags, addiction spiritual integrity therapy electronics, photonics, other ICT surveillance, invigilation, media ‘news’ Article 12. The right to privacy technologies hunting …

Article 17. The right to property computer science protection of intellectual property

control of information, media Article 19. The right to information electronics, ICT technologies ‘misinformation’

Article 23. The right to work electronics, robotics, new technologies job market restructuring, unemployment

discrimination and lack of access to Article 25. The right to an adequate medicine, construction technologies, medical care, information, housing, standard of living food technologies… food … discrimination and limitations in access Article 26. The right to education electronics, ICT technologies to education Article 27. The right to share in freedom of research, access to education, all sciences, new technologies scientifi c advancement & its benefi ts access to new technologies

NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 15 Then Prof. Szymoński presented easily penetrate natural barriers in • nanodevices are potentially ‘ideal’ the early vision of nanotechnology: our body (in lungs, intestinal system, tools/detectors that could be placed R. Feynman’s lecture, ‘seeing’ at the brain, etc.); and controlled without being seen nanoscale, the fundamental questions • nanoparticles are very often toxic (miniature, ‘secret devices,’ ‘hidden of nanotechnology, nanotechnology – small nanoclusters of even inert monitors and detectors’), violating at the frontier of development; materials like gold become very our right to privacy. great opportunities: nanomedicine, reactive and biotoxic; nanosensors, nanorobots. • nanoparticles are increasingly Finally, Prof. Szymoński attempted As the great threats in nanotechnology polluting our environment; to compare nanotechnology to other he enumerated the following: • long term impact of nanoparticles on developments and risks/challenges to • nanoparticles are small – so they can living organisms and environment is human rights. largely unknown;

Impact of nanotechnology (nanomedicine, nanoelectronics, nanorobotics) on exercising human rights

The exercise of: Opportunities: Threats:

Article 3. The right to life New life saving medical procedures Toxicity of nanomaterials

Article 12. The right to privacy Surveillance, invigilation, Restrictive protection of intellectual Article 17. The right to property property, New ICT nanodevices, Control of information, media Article 19. The right to information nanoelectronics ‘disinformation’ Potentially reducing employment in less Article 23. The right to work Opening new jobs and markets innovative areas Article 25. The right to an adequate New medical procedures, Environmental pollution, toxicity of standard of living New functional materials nanoparticles and nanomaterials

Article 26. The right to education New tools for education Opportunity to carry on research in Article 27. The right to share in scientifi c the exciting fi eld of nanotechnology advancement & its benefi ts and benefi t from many unique applications

His concluding remarks were:

• Nanotechnology is the most rapidly developing fi eld in contemporary science and technology with applications entering various important aspects of our life; • Nanoparticles and nanodevices are smart but impossible to detect without special tools; • Although many applications of nanotechnology are very benefi cial, a lot of nanoparticles and nanostructured materials are toxic and for most of them the side effects (specially long term, accumulated ones) are unknown; • Marketing ‘nanoproducts’ is very offensive and primitive (lack of knowledge and education), oriented for short term profi ts and not protecting our rights to true information, healthy products, etc. (‘protective action’ of Au and Ag nanoparticles); • In many aspects impact of nanotechnology on exercising of the human rights is similar to other ‘classic’ branches of science and technology; • Extremely rapid advancement of nanotechnology, however, and paradoxically, many exciting applications in various areas, cause increasing risk of negative side effects and impose threats on exercising several human rights; • Imposing some self-limitations in execution of the right to share benefi ts of scientifi c advancement may reduce the risk of negative impact of modern technologies; • Researchers usually do not think about human rights when they carry on investigations;

Therefore, there is a great need for human rights education in the context of rapid development of science and the modern technologies of the 21st century. M. Kantor, on the basis of Prof. Szymoński’s talk

16 NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 Molecular biotechnology for health

n 31 December 2012 the project ‘Molecular biotechnology From the archives of project Ofor health’ realised at the Jagiellonian University Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology was completed. This interdisciplinary project gathered specialists from such different fi elds as biochemistry (plants and animals), biophysics and molecular biology. The realisation of the project (the grant amounted to 28,197,842 zloty) allowed launching new ultra-modern research laboratories, working on new drugs, diagnostic methods and the development of widely understood biomedicine. As result of the project seven specialist laboratories have been created: Image Cytometry, Proteomics and Transcriptomics, Cellular and Tissue Engineering, Virology, Molecular Diagnostics and Tissue Bank. Moreover, the animal house received modern equipment. ‘Molecular Biotechnology for Health’ (BMZ) was to create tools to investigate molecular mechanisms of civilisational almost fi ve years the project was publicised and discussed in diseases. The equipment that was bought allows research in mass media: radio, television and press. The project was also accord with world standards and serves to work out tools of promoted during many international symposia and congresses. preventing, diagnosing and treating heart attacks, hypertension, Moreover, it was listed in the catalogue of the most interesting cancer, asthma and diabetes. structural projects ‘PROJEKT: INNOWACYJNI 2012’ Currently, in the new laboratories JU scientists, together prepared by the National Centre for Research and Development with some Polish biotechnology companies, are conducting (NCBiR). The publication can be found at: research on new drugs against cancer and viruses. Moreover, http://www.ncbir.pl/gfx/ncbir/userfiles/_public/ thanks to the realisation of the project in the years 2008-2012 monitoring/publikacje/innowacyjni2012.pdf it was made possible to obtain funds for research within the It is worth reading a large article in ‘The Warsaw Voice’ (3 numerous grants of the European Union’s Innovative Economy July 2012) concerning the project (http://www.warsawvoice. Operational Program, the Seventh Framework Programme of pl/WVpage/pages/article.php/25064/article) as well as the the European Union, the Foundation for Polish Science, the ninth edition of the programme ‘Era Wynalazków’ [Era of National Science Centre, the National Centre for Research and Inventions] (TVP INFO of 25 August 2012) – http://www. Development as well as the Ministry of Science and Higher youtube.com/watch?v=g6erDLEnztI Education. The teams of the JU Faculty of Biochemistry, The fi nal report on the project ‘Molecular biotechnology Biophysics and Biotechnology publish the results of their for health,’ including pictures, descriptions of the apparatus research in renown international periodicals, and their modern and research possibilities, can be found at: techniques and methods as well as research subjects attract http://www.wbbib.uj.edu.pl/documents/41648/222885e8- attention of other research centres from Poland and abroad. e441-42a4-942c-f21a4734f1d8 The realisation of the project ‘Molecular biotechnology for The project director Prof. Józef Dulak (JU Department of health’ also means promotion of the possibilities of the new Medical Biotechnology) and the co-ordinating team would like apparatus. Two editions of workshops organised by the project to contact all those interested in this project and in initiating team gathered almost 300 students, PhD students and scientists collaboration. from research centres all over Poland, representing various Joanna Uchto, specialisations in biotechnology, biology and medicine. For JU Department of Medical Biotechnology From the archives of project

The Animal House in the JU Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology

NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 17 Polish-French conference on legal systems

n 23-24 November 2012 a Polish- French conference entitled ‘Convergences and differences

O M. Gędźba between legal systems’ (Convergence et divergence entre systemčs juridiques) was held at the Jagiellonian University Faculty of Law and Administration. The conference was organised by the JU School of French Law and Laboratoire Collecivités Locales of the Faculty of Law of the University of Orleans under the patronage of the Polish and French Ministries of Justice and the JU Rector Prof. Wojciech Nowak. The sessions focused on the differences and convergences between various legal systems, their evolution and ways of solving confl icts resulting from the differences. The conference gathered ca. 40 participants from the Paris universities: Session in the Larisch Palace, JU Faculty of Law and Administration Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, Paris II Panthéon-Assas, Paris V Descartes and Constitutional Tribunal Prof. Maria Orleans, initiated by Prof. Krzysztof the universities of Orleans, Toulouse, Gintowt-Jankowicz. The conference Wojtyczek. It is worth mentioning that Nantes, Poitiers, Lille, Tours, Saint- was opened by Mr Wojciech Węgrzyn, Prof. Wojtyczek has been the new Polish Étienne, Aix-en-Province as well as the Undersecretary of State in the Ministry judge in the European Court of Human Polish universities: Warsaw University, of Justice in Poland. Rights in Strasbourg since November the University of Warmia and Mazury, The conference was the fruit of 2012. Olsztyn, the Pedagogical University long-term collaboration between the The organisers announced the next of Kraków and the Jagiellonian Faculty of Law and Administration Polish-French Legal Days in spring University. One of the sessions was of the Jagiellonian University and the 2014. presided over by the Judge of the Polish Faculty of Law of the University of Julianna Kobierzyńska Agreement with the University of Baku

n the thirty-fi rst of January 2013 • facilitation of the exchange of is the only university from Azerbaijan the Jagiellonian University hosted researchers, postgraduate students and ranked by international ranking Oa delegation from the Republic of undergraduate students, organisations. Azerbaijan representing the government, • exchange of experience in the advanced M. Kantor the diplomacy and institutions of higher methods, education. The delegation included the • mutual assistance Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Poland for the teachers’

Hasan Hasanov, the Minister of Education scientifi c qualifi cation A. Wojnar Misir Mardanov and the Minister of improvement, Industry and Energy Natiq Aliyev as well • facilitation of joint as the Rector of Baku State University projects and programs Prof. Dr Abel Maharramov. based upon their During the meeting with the mutual interests. Jagiellonian University authorities in Baku State University the Senate Hall of Collegium Novum was established in the the rectors signed a memorandum of year 1919 as a public understanding. The cooperation between university. Currently, it Baku State University and Jagiellonian has 16 faculties, offering University concerns: students 16 majors with • organisation of symposiums, seminars 55 Bachelor’s and 153 and conferences, Master’s degrees. It The meeting in the Senate Hall

18 NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 Eighth German-Polish-Ukrainian Seminar

he School of German Law at the Faculty of Law and • The failed treaty concerning the return of cultural and Administration of the Jagiellonian University organised economic goods of 1992 within the framework of the Tthe 8th German-Polish-Ukrainian Seminar under the Commonwealth of Independent States (with special focus on title ‘Cultural heritage in Europe’ in Zakopane, in the JU Guest the relations between Ukraine and Russia) [Das gescheiterte House ‘Pod Berłami’ from 12 till 14 January 2013. Abkommen über die Rückführung von Gütern kulturellen This seminar was conducted by Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Kazimierz und wirtschaftlichen Wertes (1992) im Rahmend er GUS Lankosz (Kraków), Prof. Dr. Udo Fink (Mainz), Prof. Dr. (insbesondere mit Blick auf das Verhältnis der Ukraine zu Dr. h.c. mult. Peter-Christian Müller-Graff (Heidelberg) and Russland]; Associated Professor Anna Khvorostiankina (Kiev). The • The Hans Adam von Liechtenstein vs. Germany and seminar was divided in fi ve interesting subtitle categories. Czechoslovakia case (ECHR and Regional Court Cologne) 26 foreign students (7 from Kraków, 6 from Mainz, 7 from [Der Fall Hans-Adam von Liechtenstein vs. BRD und Heidelberg and 6 from Kiev) participated in the seminar. They Tschechoslowakei (EGMR und LG Köln)]. gave the following presentations in German: Part 3: Protection of cultural goods in EU law [Kulturgüterschutz Part 1: Protection of cultural heritage – international im Recht der Europäischen Union] law foundations [Völkerrechtliche Grundlagen des • Free movement of goods vs. protection of cultural goods Kulturgüterschutzes] in the law of the Common Market [Warenverkehrsfreiheit • Protection of cultural heritage in times of peace under vs. Kulturgüterschutz im Binnenmarktrecht (Art. 34 bis 36 international law (especially the UNESCO World Heritage AEUV)]; Convention 1972) [Der völkerrechtliche Kulturgüterschutz • Rules on the return of cultural objects unlawfully removed in Friedenszeiten (insbesondere UNESCO-Übereinkommen from the territory of a Member State of the EU (Directive zum Schutz des Kultur- und Naturerbes der Welt von 1972]; 93/7/EEC as amended by Directive 2001/38/EC) • Cultural artifacts as ‘Common Heritage of Mankind’? [Der [Rückgaberegeln für unrechtmäßig aus dem Hoheitsgebiet Konfl ikt der Zuordnung von Kulturgütern- Kulturgüter als eines Mitgliedstaats der Europäischen Union verbrachten „Gemeinsames Erbe der Menschheit“?]; Kulturguts im Binnenmarktrecht (RL 93/7/EWG, zuletzt • Protection of cultural goods in armed confl icts (especially geändert durch RL 2001/38/EG)]; the Hague Convention 1954) [Der völkerrechtliche • Protection of cultural heritage and the division of competences Kulturgüterschutz in bewaffneten Konfl ikten (insbesondere between the European Union and the Member States in the Haager Konvention von 1954)]; fi eld of culture (Art. 167 TFEU) [Kulturgüterschutz in der • The Temple of Preah Vihear (Thailand vs. Cambodia) Kompetenzverteilung zwischen der Europäischen Union Case before the International Court of Justice [Der Tempel und den Mitgliedstaaten auf dem Gebiet der Kultur (Art. 167 von Preah Vihear (Thailand v. Kambodscha) vor dem AEUV)]; Internationalen Gerichtshof]. • Protection of cultural goods in the European Union vis-a-vis Part 2: International protection of cultural heritage with special third States (Regulation (EC) No. 116/2009 of 18th December reference to Germany, Poland and Ukraine [Internationaler 2008 on the export of cultural goods) [Kulturgüterschutz Kulturgüterschutz mit besonderem Bezug zu Deutschland, der Europäischen Union im Verhältnis zu Drittstaaten (VO Polen und der Ukraine]: (EG) Nr. 116/2009 vom 18.12.2008 über die Ausfuhr von • The negotiations between Germany and Poland over the return Kulturgütern)]. of artistic war spoils („Beutekunst“) [Die Verhandlungen zwischen Deutschland und Polen über die gegenseitige Seminar participants in Zakopane Rückgabe von „Beutekunst“]; • The return of the Soviet war booty by Ukraine to Germany [Die Rückgabe sowjetischer „Beutekunst“ durch die Ukraine an Deutschland];

NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 19 J. Metzen Part 4: Special Questions of international and European law concerning the protection of cultural heritage Collaboration [Einzelfrage im internationalen und europäischen Recht des Kulturgüterschutzes] with the Minzu • Who owns ‘the Elgin Marbles’? [Wem gehören die „Elgin Marbles“?] • The fate of the Imperial Regalia (Reichskleinodien) of the University of China Holy Roman Empire (Germany vs. Austria) [Das Schicksal n February 20-23, 2013 two representatives of the der „Reichskleinodien des Heiligen Römischen Reichs Minzu University of China, Beijing, visited the Deutscher Nation (Deutschland vs. Österreich)]; Jagiellonian University at the invitation of Prof. • Protection of cultural heritage in EU competition law O Andrzej Mania, Vice-Rector for Educational Affairs, Prof. [Kulturgüterschutz im Beihilfenrecht der Europäischen Ying Zhang, who is also a Vice-Director of the International Union]; Relations Offi ce, and Ms. Xiaoing Guan of the Offi ce. • Financing of public broadcasting as promotion of culture in Current questions relating to the cooperation of the the law of the European Union? [Rundfunkfi nanzierung als two universities were discussed. Representatives of the JU Kulturförderung im Recht der Europäischen Union?]; Department of Comparative Studies on Civilisations, the Part 5: Protection of cultural heritage on the national level Confucius Institute International Relations Offi ce and the in Germany, Poland and in Ukraine [Kulturgüterschutz auf International Students Offi ce participated in the discussions. nationaler Ebene in Deutschland, Polen und der Ukraine] • The concept of national cultural good (nationales Kulturgut) in Germany [Der Begriff des nationalen Kulturgutes in Deutschland]; • The concept of national cultural good (nationales Kulturgut) in Poland [Der Begriff des nationalen Kulturgutes in Polen]; • The concept of national cultural good (nationales Kulturgut) in Ukraine [Der Begriff des nationalen Kulturgutes in der Ukraine];

• The law on state ownership of national cultural goods in M. Klimkiewicz Germany [Das Recht des Staatseigentums an nationalem Prof. Andrzej Mania and Prof. Ying Zhang Kulturgut in Deutschland]; • The law on state ownership of national cultural goods in The exchange of students and scholars between our two Poland [Das Recht des Staatseigentums an nationalem universities started in the academic year 2010/11. Since then, Kulturgut in Polen]; 7 Jagiellonian University students and 10 Minzu University • The law on state ownership of national cultural goods in students visited the partner school for at least one-semester- Ukraine [Das Recht des Staatseigentums an nationalem long studies. Further students are getting prepared for the Kulturgut in Ukraine]; exchange. • The protection of cultural goods in Germany [Der Schutz Cooperation between the two universities also has an von Kulturgütern in Deutschland]; academic aspect. The Department of Comparative Studies on • The protection of cultural goods in Poland [Der Schutz von Civilisations co-organises with its Beijing partners scientifi c Kulturgütern in Polen]; conferences every second year in Kraków and Beijing. So far, • The protection of cultural goods in Ukraine [Der Schutz von three conferences have been organised. Kulturgütern in der Ukraine]. This year the agreement on cooperation has been extended The most interesting papers will be published on-line. for a further fi ve years. The seminars, organised by the JU School of German Law, The Minzu University of China is a national-level public take place twice a year interchangeably in Germany, Poland and university located in Beijing, one of 17 universities designated Ukraine. The last seminar in Zakopane was fi nanced entirely for ethnic minorities in China. It has 64 Master’s programmes by the German Meyer-Struckmann-Stiftung. The next one is to and 25 doctoral programmes. It has over 15,000 students. The be held in Mainz in June and will be Minzu University of China (MUC) is one of the most well- dedicated to labour law. The seminars known institutions in teaching Chinese as a foreign language are an effective platform to exchange in China. It is one of the fi rst of eight universities in China thoughts and experiences of lawyers that enrolled international students and began teaching and from different legal backgrounds. researching Chinese as a foreign language. Moreover, they provide opportunities R. Dobrowolska to get to know the culture and history of the three participating nations. The Department of Comparative Studies on Civilisations

Aleksandra Romanowska, Przemysław Roguski, co-ordinators of the School of German Law, JU Faculty of Law and Administration W. Hyjek W.

20 NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 A. Staszczyk DICE PROJECT IN IVANO-FRANKIVSK

n December 2012 we had a chance to visit the Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University in Ivano- IFrankivsk in Ukraine, under the supervision of Professor Anna Niżegorodcew, the head of the Applied Linguistics specialization of the English Department. Our trip to Ivano- Frankivsk was a part of the joint DICE Project (Developing Intercultural Competence through English) conducted by the English Department of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków and the English Philology Department of the Vasyl Stefanyk University in Ivano-Frankivsk. The purpose of our stay was to promote intercultural communication between Ukrainian and Polish students, and enhance cooperation between the Vasyl Stefanyk and our University. During our stay we got a fi rst-hand experience of life at the Vasyl Stefanyk University, we presented some aspects of Polish culture to our hosts

and visited classes conducted by Ukrainian teachers. The A. Niżegorodcew Ukrainian students and staff also had the chance to listen to In Ivano-Frankivsk Professor Niżegorodcew’s lectures concerning intercultural communication and the DICE project itself. arriving in Ukraine, we had had very few presuppositions We had thought of visiting Ukraine for a long time and the about the country as a whole and undoubtedly, the trip to project created a great opportunity to fi nally go there. Before Ukraine raised our intercultural awareness. The stay in Ivano- Frankivsk was a splendid opportunity to get to know more about the Ukrainian culture and it gave us an insight into the way Ukrainian people behave, communicate and perceive the world around them. We had a chance to meet many wonderful people. We were received with great hospitality and

A. Niżegorodcew friendliness. In order to communicate with our fellow students from Ivano-Frankivsk we used mostly English but on some occasions we also attempted to communicate in our national languages, which was a really funny experience. Direct contacts with Ukrainian students and being able to share our cultural heritage with them was a valuable experience, which made our stay in Ivano-Frankivsk unforgettable. Our trip to Ivano-Frankivsk lasted only a week but it left us with lasting memories. We would defi nitely like to come back to Ukraine and fi nd out more about this country. In April, we are expecting our Ukrainian friends to visit Kraków. We will have a chance to familiarize them with the Jagiellonian Visiting the Polish part of the cemetery in Lvov University and the Polish culture. Natalia Sas, Anna Sudoł, Karolina Zarzycka

VISIT TO UNIVERSITÄT REGENSBURG

n September 2012 two Jagiellonian University administrative Bavaria, Germany. The training focused on: offi cers – Karolina Jastrzębska from the Department of • admission process (application rules, processes, schedule, IAdmissions and Agnieszka Piziak from the Student Affairs required documents, fees and qualifi cation criteria), Offi ce – participated in a training at Universität Regensburg in • matters connected with diplomas, diploma supplements and Germany. This training was intended for administrative staff the recognition of diplomas, within the Staff Training Mobility (STT), a part of the LLP • international student mobility, – Erasmus Programme. They had a chance to visit Universität • quality system, Regensburg, which was founded in 1962. The university is • protection of personal data, located on a modern campus in the southern part of the historic • IT tools supporting all these processes, city dating back to the Roman times. The large medieval centre • services for students (fi nancial assistance, students hostels). of Regensburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The participants were invited to several departments The main aim of the visit at Universität Regensburg was and units of the University, including: Studentenkanzlei, to gather knowledge about the system of higher education in Studentenwerk, Akademisches Auslandsamt and Europaeum

NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 21 Stone bridge in Regensburg

B. Piziak Orientation Day for Erasmus students n 25 February 2013, the Jagiellonian University welcomed Oits Erasmus incoming and other foreign students for the spring semester 2013. The offi cial meeting was held in the aula of Collegium Novum. On behalf of the International Students Offi ce a welcoming speech was delivered by Katarzyna Byrska. Then the gathered students took the JU oath in Polish and English. The members of the ESN board talked about the other attractions of the Orientation Week, including a visit to the Jagiellonian Library and the university campuses, the Sports Day (go-carting and paintball with professional instructors), the Multi-Culti Day (sightseeing tours), various parties (Tram Party, Ost-West Zentrum. At Europaeum they were acquainted i.e. 2- hour trip in an old tram where you can drink, have fun and with the Secondos Programme, which is unique in Germany. socialize with people or Language Evening – meeting in a club Within the framework of the Bachelor’s degree at Universität where the tables have been assigned to different nationalities so Regensburg students have the opportunity to study in the native that students can talk to native speakers) and planned trips. country of their parents or grandparents for one semester or for The presentation of Krzysztof Byrski ‘Studying at the a year. The main aim of the Programme is to develop bilingual Jagiellonian University’ obviously attracted the students’ attention and bicultural background of participants which can be useful as it focused on the formalities and practical aspects of studying: at their professional careers. The Jagiellonian University is one on-line registration to courses, ID cards, learning agreements or of six partner universities to this Programme (together with certifi cates. It was followed by questions. the University of Zagreb, the University of Pécs, Babeş-Bolyai Finally, Natalie Opus from Belgium shared her experiences University in Cluj-Napoca, Kazan Federal University and the of spending a semester as an Erasmus student in Kraków two Taras Shevchenko National University of Kiev). years ago. During their stay in Regensburg the JU offi cers had a chance to In the spring semester of the academic year 2012/13 there observe the organisation of work in these departments and units are 439 Erasmus students (257 female and 182 male). and compare the functioning of the Departments of Admissions and the Student Affairs Offi ces at both Universities. Erasmus incoming students according to nationality – spring semester 2012/2013 Karolina Jastrzębska, Agnieszka Piziak Spanish 132 The Department of Admissions is the Jagiellonian French 72 University’s unit responsible for organising and providing German 61 service related to the admission process. Its work focuses Turkish 49 on improving organisation and admission information. It Italian 23 develops and supports the Online Application System. The Croatian 13 OAS allows candidates to apply for study programmes Hungarian 9 easily. Catalogues at the JU website are always the most Dutch 8 accurate source of information about the University’s educational offer of the fi rst-, second-, long-cycle, doctoral Lithuanian 8 and selected post diploma programmes, taught in Polish and Greek 8 other languages. The website is available in Polish and in Portuguese 7 English; online registration is, therefore, possible for non- Slovakian 6 Polish speaking candidates. www.rekrutacja.uj.edu.pl Czech 5 The Student Affairs Offi ce is a Jagiellonian University’s Belgian 5 administration unit responsible for the regulations concerning: Austrian 5 the fi rst-, second- and long-cycle programmes of studies, Romanian 5 PhD studies and postgraduate studies, fi nancial assistance British 5 for students, including PhD students, matters connected with Bulgarian 5 diplomas and diploma supplements. The offi ce staff are also responsible for: fi nancial supervision over activities of the Latvian 3 JU students’ associations and organisations, health insurance Icelandic 2 for students and PhD students who are over 26 years old, Swiss 2 organising surveys conducted within the University’s Quality Finish 1 of Education Assurance System and making research reports, Norwegian 1 central coordination of the Students’ Mobility System Slovenian 1 (MOST) at the JU, compiling reports for the Polish Central Swedish 1 Statistical Offi ce (GUS) on fi nancial assistance, numbers of students, PhD students, and postgraduates at the JU. Danish 1 www.uj.edu.pl/dydaktyka/dn Irish 1 TOTAL 439

22 NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 M. Barańska, M. Kantor ConferenceConference ofof BiophysicsBiophysics StudentsStudents

he Biophysics Students’ Association ‘Nobel’ at the T Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology of the Jagiellonian University invites all students of biophysics and related specialisations to attend the Second International Conference for Students of Biophysics, which will be held on 24th-26th May 2013 in Kraków at the JU Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology. The aim of this conference is to allow students to present their own research projects and discuss their scientifi c experiences. It is also an opportunity to start international cooperation at the beginning of their scientifi c careers. The conference is a continuation of the Polish Conferences of Biophysics Students, which were organised by our Association in May 2010 and 2011, as well as the First International Conference of Biophysics Students (in 2012). The conference sessions will concern the following subjects: spectroscopy, molecular modelling and bioinformatics, microscopy and medical biophysics. The previous years’ sessions were related to a fairly wide

range of science, such as: theoretical biophysics, microscopic A. Sawicka methods in biophysics, spectroscopy and biophysics in therapy. Agnieszka Pierzyńska-Mach opening the Second Polish Every year our conference attracts about one hundred Conference of Biophysics Students, 2011 participants, including eminent representatives of Polish biophysics, like Prof. Stanisław Przestalski, Prof. Grzegorz The conference is held under the patronage of the Dean of Bartosz, Prof. Wiesław Gruszecki, Prof. Wiesław Nowak and the JU Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology Prof. Eugeniusz Rokita. Last year we were honoured by the Professor Wojciech Froncisz. visit and lecture of Henri Xhaard, Ph.D, from the University The Biophysics Students’ Association ‘Nobel’ was created of Helsinki. in 2003. Our main goal is to give students a supporting hand The most important thing concerning the First Polish and possibility of development. Each year we take part in the Conference of Biophysics Students was that it was the fi rst Winter School of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology student conference in Poland on issues pertaining to the of the Jagiellonian University and many others conferences. whole of biophysics. One of the reasons why the conferences Although ‘Nobel’ associate only 23 people we realize many are held at the JU Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and projects, for example the Student Exchange Program with Biotechnology is that the study programme in biophysics was the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań and the Students fi rst introduced here, and thus it is the oldest programme in Science Lounge. this fi eld in Poland. Piotr Sroka, Zuzanna Pakosz Our goal is to make biophysics famous both in Poland and in the world, and we hope that Kraków will become the http://ksb-nobel.heliohost.org/icbs2/category/news/ centre of annual meetings of young scientists. The previous www.facebook.com/icbscracow conferences proved to be successful. A. Sawicka

NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 23 Participants in the I International Conference of Biophysics Students, 2012 Spasa na Krovi

A SEMESTER E. Fijołek IN SAINT PETERSBURG

arrived in Saint Petersburg at the time would I learn whether this beginning of September 2012. Before was true or not. I I left Poland I had still enjoyed the The city is crazy and has summer sunshine. Pulkovo-2 Airport no raison d’ětre. It was built to welcomed me with cold and heavy rain. I fulfi l the whim of the man who remember feeling some kind of triumph was fascinated by the sea. Its when I looked at my wellingtons, which construction lasted 12 years at I had put on and which were completely the cost of lives of hundreds of useless in Warsaw on that day. Russia thousands of workers. The city greeted me with rain and by the co- was located on marshy land. It ordinator of bilateral student exchange was called into being because from the department I was going to study, Tsar Peter had such a wish, i.e. the School of Journalism and Mass because it is what Russia looks Communications of Saint Petersburg like – renovation of one historical State University. Immediately my bags building in the main street can were put in the booth of his lada car, last for months but if ‘needed’ and I was driven to the edge of the big because of some commandment known art galleries, charming cafes and city of fi ve (or perhaps even seven) a new capital can be built in a very short bars along these streets. But one can also million people – nobody knows its time or a completely useless, over 200 see dilapidating pearls of architecture, exact population – to the student hall of km long river canal can be dug (I mean bent pipes that are torn off a meter over residence on Vasilyevski Island. the Belomorkanal – White Sea Canal – the ground, 24 hour open fl orists, people At this point it would be proper to constructed by forced labour of Stalin’s drinking beer despite the ban, homeless describe this ride and the so-called ‘fi rst dogs and cats. It was here that Pushkin, impressions’ but for me it would be Gogol, Dostoyevsky and Nabokov used diffi cult as it was not my fi rst visit to to walk… all those whom Russia and the Saint Petersburg. However, I was struck European and even world literature and by the difference and tempo in which culture owe so much. the city changed because my last visit Naturally, student exchange is a here was ten years ago. Naturally, apart valuable experience although in my from the historical city centre blocks student hall of residence there were more of fl ats are still prevailing, and here foreigners than Russians, which made and there the socialist references to the me speak English more than Russian. victorious Great Patriotic War (in which In fact, my roommate was… Polish, – as we all know – steadfast Russians

E. Fijołek and changing rooms is not an easy defeated the evil Nazi aggressors) are process because of the huge number of still scary. These souvenirs of the past, prisoners; the canal connects the White formalities. Nevertheless, the chance to which are essentially non-aesthetic but Sea with Saint Petersburg). meet and live with young people coming in most cases monumental, belong to the Naturally, Peterhof and Tsarskoe from so many different countries: Japan, landscape just like the dispersed onion- Selo, Kazan Cathedral, Saint Isaac’s Denmark or the United States, remains shaped domes of Orthodox churches or Cathedral, Peter and Paul Fortress, the an extremely valuable experience. restaurants springing up like mushrooms famous Church of the Saviour on Spilled There are such countries, such places and offering sushi of better or worse Blood (Spasa na Krovi) and numerous where one can go for a three day trip, quality. In turn, the number of colourful other monuments are magnifi cent and see the most important monuments, talk neon signs, streetlights and information worth seeing, at least once in a lifetime. to people for a while and leave with concerning reductions and sales only But this Russian splendour, which can the feeling of satiety. But one should confi rmed the fact that I was in a truly be fascinating at the fi rst sight, becomes stay longer in Russia to taste slightly European city although only after some overpowering with time, in particular the mentality of its citizens and feel the when it is juxtaposed with the poverty atmosphere of the extraordinary country of ordinary citizens. I still wonder how that is unfairly identifi ed only with Russians are able to live in their capitals E. Fijołek vodka, ‘ear hats’ and bears dancing to having such poor salaries. the music of balalaika. I am happy that Andrey Bely wrote that ‘whole thanks to the bilateral student exchange Petersburg is an infi nity of the prospect between the Jagiellonian University and raised to the n-th degree.’ And indeed, Saint Petersburg State University I had in my opinion the most beautiful, the this chance – and frankly speaking, I most charming things are the side wish all those who think of such a trip to streets extending from the main Nevsky have their dreams fulfi lled. Prospect. They are still situated within the historical centre. There are less Ewa Fijołek 24 NEWS letter No. 49 Winter/Spring 2013 A Petersburg gate