A week filled with fun, new experiences, sporting challenges, social activities, and relaxation – this is perhaps the best way to describe Bachanalia 2026, the annual festival of students at the University of Zielona Góra.
This year's celebrations took place from 8 to 13 June, once again attracting thousands of students from across the University. Regardless of their field or year of study, students came together to celebrate on the grounds of Campus B and across Campus A, embracing one of the University's most cherished traditions.
As tradition dictates, the official opening of Bachanalia began with the symbolic handover of the keys to the city of Zielona Góra. The keys were presented by the Mayor of Zielona Góra to the Chair of the Student Parliament of the University of Zielona Góra, temporarily placing the city in the hands of its students.
“This year's Bachanalia is, above all, an opportunity to relax before the upcoming examination session – a particularly stressful time for all of us. It is also a chance to take a break, have fun, and enjoy a week full of positive energy,”said Julia Kolendowicz, Chair of the Student Parliament of the University of Zielona Góra.
Mayor Marcin Pabierowski added: “I have no concerns about handing the city over to the students of the University of Zielona Góra. Bachanalia is a fantastic event and a wonderful time both for the students and for the city, of which they are an important part. Every year, the keys are entrusted to the students and every year they are safely returned. This year's edition is particularly special as it takes place during the celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the University of Zielona Góra. We are delighted to celebrate this milestone together.”
This year's Bachanalia was packed with colourful and vibrant events.
“The Student Parliament did an outstanding job. The festival created an excellent opportunity for integration. Both students and our academic staff joined in the celebrations. The programme was incredibly diverse, and there was something for everyone – concerts, the traditional barbecue gathering, an open-air cinema, board games, and inter-dormitory competitions, to name just a few of the attractions,” said Prof. Barbara Literska, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Quality of Education.
As every year, sport also played an important role in the festivities. One of the highlights was the Rector's Cup Run, which took place on 8 June.
“In previous years, the race was organised on the University's campuses. This time, we moved the event to the very heart of the city, with both the start and finish lines located outside the University Rectorate. The route led participants through Zielona Góra's historic old town. We wanted not only to showcase our students' active lifestyle but also to encourage the entire city to embrace physical activity. Sport brings people together and is a source of great enjoyment. The route was approximately one kilometre long and designed to be accessible and enjoyable for everyone,” explained Dawid Piechowiak, Director of the University Sports Association (AZS UZ) Office.
One of the most beloved traditions of Bachanalia is the Great Barbecue, held on the green area next to building A-16. It provided students not only with an opportunity to meet friends and enjoy food together but also to discover the activities of the University's student research clubs, which prepared interactive displays and creative demonstrations.
On 9 June, the same area was transformed into a large open-air cinema. Despite the less-than-perfect weather, students wrapped in blankets and equipped with cinema snacks gathered to watch the acclaimed Polish film Day of the Wacko (Dzień świra).
The following day, the celebrations moved to Campus A, where students took part in the Bachanalia GO outdoor game and the 13th edition of the AZS Volleyball Student Cup.
Campus A also hosted Thursday's events, including the much-anticipated Inter-Dormitory Games.
“This is one of the annual highlights of Bachanalia. Residents of all the student halls compete in challenges such as tyre races and frog jumps. It has become a cherished tradition. As always, the focus was on having fun and promoting fair play,” the organisers explained.
The spirit of competition also extended to the Bachanalia Board Games Night.
“We brought our collection of games and made them available to students. There were several bags full of board games suitable for different groups of participants, including Terraforming Mars, 5 Seconds, Pyramido, and Tip of the Tongue. There was a fantastic atmosphere throughout the evening,” said Anna Gaczyńska from the Ad Astra Fantasy Club of Zielona Góra.
One of the most eagerly awaited elements of Bachanalia was, as always, the series of live concerts, held on Friday and Saturday on Campus B.
The festival's musical line-up included performances by Artur Rojek, KUQE 2115, Zalia, and PRO8L3M, alongside several local artists. Festival-goers also had the opportunity to discover the music of the band Firley and the duo Turkot and Olaf.
“We came here to put on a great show. Our music is alternative hip-hop – raw and authentic. Our album reflects our genuine view of the world and our own perspective on reality,” said the creators of the album White Sheep (Białe owce).
And how did the participants themselves assess Bachanalia 2026?
“We came here to have fun and meet other students. It is our first time at Bachanalia because, as part-time students, we hadn't had the opportunity to attend before. We're really impressed – everything has been organised brilliantly. We're young, we want to enjoy ourselves, and we're making the most of all these attractions. The concerts were excellent and perfectly suited to the audience. Bachanalia has a unique atmosphere and is also a fantastic event for the city itself,” said students of the University of Zielona Góra.
This year's edition of Bachanalia also included an artistic dimension. For the second consecutive year, a unique mural was created on Campus A. The initiative was organised by two student research clubs operating within the Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning – La LUCE and ArtQUARIUM – which invited students and visitors alike to contribute to the collaborative artwork.
Once again, Bachanalia proved that student life at the University of Zielona Góra is about much more than lectures and examinations. It is also about building friendships, creating unforgettable memories, and celebrating the vibrant and diverse community that makes the University such a special place to study.
