Minister of Education and Science, Przemysław Czarnek, attended the inauguration of the Mazovian Folk University. This is a social initiative that will operate according to the idea of lifelong learning. Participants in the venture will be able to deepen their knowledge, develop their interests and skills.

At the inauguration of the Mazovian Folk University, the head of the Ministry of Education and Science gave a lecture ‘Heritage for the future’. The meeting, which took place in the village of Dębe Wielkie, was attended by residents of Minsk, Węgrów and Garwolin districts. They also took part in a workshop – How to combine tradition with the challenges of modernity?

Under the Mazovian Folk University, a series of meetings and lectures will be held in the first half of 2023 in the districts of Minsk, Węgrów and Garwolin. The speakers will include Professor Rafał Wiśniewski, Director of the National Cultural Centre; Professor Władysław T. Bartoszewski, manager, academic teacher, historian and politician; Anna Popek, radio and television journalist; and Katarzyna Saks, Director of the National Institute of Culture and Rural Heritage. 

The University is an educational social initiative. It will operate according to the idea of lifelong learning, bringing together active members of rural communities. They include, in particular, senior citizens and members of rural housewives’ associations. The university is an opportunity to deepen knowledge, develop skills and interests. Meetings will be modelled on universities of the older adults. 

The Mazovian Folk University was inspired by folk universities, whose activities peaked in Poland in the inter-war period. They pursued their objectives using adult education methods developed over the years.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński