Between late February and early March 2026, a series of scientific and educational events took place to honor Polish-Romanian cooperation in science, culture, and academic dialogue. The highlights of this collaboration were the Polish-Romanian Science Festival and the international spring school titled "Borderlands of Cooperation: Polish-Romanian Spring School Studying the Interference of Culture, Science, and Art."
These projects were a joint effort by the University of Zielona Góra (UZ), the "1 Decembrie 1918" University of Alba Iulia, and the State University of Applied Sciences in Głogów.
Science Across Borders
The festival spanned several cities, with events held in Głogów (March 1st), Zielona Góra (March 2nd–3rd), and Alba Iulia (March 6th). A pivotal moment was the celebration of Polish-Romanian Solidarity Day on March 3rd. The program brought together scholars, students, and diplomats from both nations for a rich itinerary of lectures, debates, and artistic performances. Notable highlights included a jazz concert by students from the UZ Institute of Music and presentations showcasing the vibrant culture of the Bukovina region.
The "Borderlands of Cooperation" Spring School
Running alongside the festival, the international spring school took place in two stages: first in Poland (Feb 27 – March 3) and then in Romania (March 5–10). Participants engaged in interdisciplinary workshops, labs, and field studies across Zielona Góra, Głogów, Alba Iulia, Sibiu, and Cluj-Napoca.
The curriculum focused on:
Expert Contributions and Academic Exchange
The events featured an impressive lineup of experts and researchers from both Poland and Romania. Lecturers included prominent figures such as Gabriel Bârtaș, Bogumił Luft, Dr. Bogdan Mucea, and numerous professors from the University of Zielona Góra, including Dr. hab. Tytus Jaskułowski, Dr. hab. Sylwia Kondej, and Prof. Andrzej Drzewiński, as well as researchers from the Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu.
Topics discussed ranged from the history of Polish-Romanian relations and contemporary challenges to democracy and security, to the role of civil society and the media's relationship with science.
A Milestone for Partnership
These initiatives coincide with two major milestones: the 25th anniversary of the University of Zielona Góra and the 35th anniversary of the "1 Decembrie 1918" University of Alba Iulia. They served as a vital platform for academic exchange and for building long-lasting international relationships between students and researchers.
Project Coordination: The project was led by Dr. hab. Sylwia Kondej, prof. UZ (Institute of Physics) and Dr. Magdalena Pokrzyńska (Institute of Sociology).
The realization of these events was made possible through the support of institutional and local partners, including the Głogów Borderland Education Association and Piekarnia Cichej Kobiety. Mobility was funded by NAWA (PROM), under the project management of Dr. Paweł Truszkiewicz (International Cooperation Office).
This joint initiative underscores the vital role of international and interdisciplinary cooperation in advancing research, education, and intercultural dialogue, further strengthening the enduring bond between the academic communities of Poland and Romania.
