The ceremonial Rector's Procession set off from the Silesian Theatre. The route led along Korfantego Avenue towards Spodek, then through General Józef Ziętek Roundabout and Roździeńskiego Avenue to Olimpijska Street, where the participants arrived at the seat of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR).

The procession included representatives of university authorities wearing academic gowns, colour guards, beadles and Rector's Guards. Musical accompaniment for the procession was provided by the Katowice Brass Orchestra.

After arriving at the Concert Hall, where the ceremony was held, representatives of university choirs performed the traditional song "Gaudeamus igitur". The participating ensembles also included the Choir of the University of Economics in Katowice.

The Interuniversity Inauguration of the Academic Year 2026/2027 was officially opened by Mirosław Książek, who welcomed the assembled guests on behalf of the Organisers. In his address, he emphasised the importance of jointly opening the new academic year and of cooperation between the universities forming the Silesian academic community.

During the welcome, HM the Rector of the University of Silesia in Katowice prof. dr hab. Ryszard Koziołek extended his best wishes to HM the Rectors of the University of Economics in Katowice and the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Katowice and presented them with flowers on the occasion of the milestone anniversaries of the establishment of both universities celebrated this year.

The official opening of the academic year was preceded by the presentation of the "Meritorious for Silesian Science" Award. The distinction, granted by the Award Committee as part of the Silesian Scientific Award, is presented to individuals whose activities make a particularly significant contribution to the development of science in the region and its promotion in Poland and abroad.

The 2025 laureates were:

• Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship Wojciech Saługa;
• Member of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Monika Rosa;
• Senator of the Republic of Poland Halina Bieda.

The awards were presented by HM the Rector of the University of Silesia prof. dr hab. Ryszard Koziołek.

The academic year was officially opened by Rector of the Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice prof. dr hab. n. med. Andrzej Małecki, using the traditional formula:

I hereby open the academic year 2026/2027. May it be good, prosperous, happy and fruitful! Quod Bonum, Felix, Faustum, Fortunatumque sit.

This was followed by speeches from invited guests and words of congratulations. First, the host of the ceremony read out a letter from President of the Republic of Poland Karol Nawrocki.

Next, Jerzy Woźniak, Deputy Head of the Chancellery of the Sejm, presented a message from Marshal of the Sejm Waldemar Czarzasty. Senator of the Republic of Poland Halina Bieda conveyed congratulations from Senator of the Republic of Poland Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska.

In the next part of the ceremony, speeches were delivered by:

• Marcin Kulasek, Minister of Science and Higher Education;
• Marta Cienkowska, Minister of Culture and National Heritage;
• Waldemar Żurek, Minister of Justice;
• Konrad Gołota, Deputy Minister of State Assets;
• Marek Wójcik, Silesian Voivode;
• prof. dr hab. Bogumiła Kaniewska, President of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland (CRASP).

An important part of the ceremony was the matriculation, together with the formal academic oath taken by newly admitted students and doctoral students. This year's ceremony involved representatives of the Silesian University of Technology, and the formal matriculation ceremony was presided over by HM the Rector prof. dr hab. inż. Marek Pawełczyk.

Following the oath-taking ceremony, the academic choirs performed "Gaude Mater Polonia".

HM the Rector of the University of Economics in Katowice prof. dr hab. inż. Celina M. Olszak extended her wishes for the new academic year to students and doctoral students:

You can count on our support and goodwill. We want you to discover your own potential, strengthen your self-confidence and take satisfaction in seeing your progress. Your successes will be a source of pride and joy for us. My dear students and doctoral students, I wish you classes after which the discussion continues long after you have left the room. Questions that inspire you to keep searching for answers even after your exams. Professors who awaken your ambitions and friends with whom you will share everyday joys and the most important moments. Above all, I wish that in a few years' time you will be able to say with conviction, "We made good use of this time. We are capable of more, we understand more, and we know what we want to devote our energy and talents to." Welcome among us. May this be a good and beautiful beginning.

In the next part of the ceremony, speeches were delivered by:

• Waldemar Bojarun, Member of the Board of the Silesian Voivodeship;
• dr Marcin Krupa, Mayor of the City of Katowice;
• Leszek Pietraszek, Chairman of the Management Board of the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis.

The new students were also welcomed by their academic peers:

• Julia Paczek, Chair of the Student Parliament of the University of Economics in Katowice;
• mgr Dariusz Ozner, Representative of Doctoral Students of the Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice.

The first inaugural lecture this year, delivered by prof. Ewa Chojecka and entitled "Post-industrial heritage as part of the region's cultural legacy. What do a mine shaft tower and a steam engine have to do with art history?", was read by Director of the Silesian Museum dr Łukasz Galusek, as the Professor was unable to attend the event for health reasons.

The lecture focused on the transformation of Upper Silesia following the decline of heavy industry and on ways of preserving and reinterpreting its post-industrial heritage. Prof. Ewa Chojecka sought to demonstrate that industrial structures and objects, such as steam engines, mine shaft towers and metallurgical structures, can be not only testimonies to history, but also works of artistic value and important elements of the region's contemporary cultural landscape. In her notes, she also drew attention to the connections between art history, architecture and the industrial identity of Upper Silesia.

This part of the ceremony concluded with the song "An Irish Blessing", performed by the academic choirs.

Concluding the ceremony, HM the Rector of the University of Silesia prof. dr hab. Ryszard Koziołek took the floor and pronounced the following formula:

I hereby declare the inauguration ceremony of the academic year 2026/2027 closed.

The departure of the Rector's Procession was accompanied by the sounds of the Cieszyn Brass Band of the University of Silesia.

The unique musical setting of the ceremony was also provided by the combined academic choirs and ensembles, including:

• Cieszyn Brass Band of the University of Silesia;
• "Harmonia" Choir of the University of Silesia;
• Silent Choir of the University of Silesia;
• Academic Choir of the Silesian University of Technology;
• Medical University of Silesia Choir;
• Choir of the University of Economics in Katowice.

The ceremony was complemented by a concert by the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maciej Tomasiewicz. The musical event brought the joint celebrations to a close and symbolically concluded the inauguration of the new academic year.

The programme featured film music compositions, including John Williams - Suite from "Star Wars": "Parade of the Ewoks", "The Forest Battle", "The Asteroid Field", "Here They Come!"; Ennio Morricone - "Gabriel's Oboe" from "The Mission"; Ramin Djawadi - "Game of Thrones"; Alan Silvestri - Suite from "Forrest Gump"; John Williams - "The Flight to Neverland" from "Hook"; Ennio Morricone - "Cinema Paradiso"; Hans Zimmer - "Pearl Harbor"; John Williams - Suite from "Jurassic Park" and Suite from "Star Wars".

From the morning, Scienceville was taking place at the Katowice Market Square as part of the Interuniversity Inauguration of the Academic Year 2026/2027. As part of EduPromoDay, participants could visit stands run by scientists from the region and take part in interactive shows and experiments that allowed them to discover science in a practical and engaging way. There were also artistic highlights - performances by academic ensembles introduced participants to the spirit and richness of Silesian culture.

The University of Economics in Katowice was represented by dr Witold Gradoń and dr Łukasz Szewczyk from the Department of Banking and Financial Markets.

• Universities of the Academic Consortium Katowice - City of Science:

  • University of Silesia in Katowice

  • University of Economics in Katowice

  • Medical University of Silesia in Katowice

  • Silesian University of Technology

  • Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice

  • Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Katowice

  • Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice

• City of Katowice

• Silesian Voivodeship

• Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis

Patronage

Honorary Patronage

• Minister of Science and Higher Education
• Minister of Health
• Minister of Sport and Tourism
• Minister of Culture and National Heritage
• Polish Academy of Sciences
• National Representation of PhD Students
• Students' Parliament of the Republic of Poland
• Conference of Rectors of Art Universities
• Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland
• Conference of Rectors of Polish Universities of Technology
• Regional Conference of Rectors of Academic Universities
• Conference of Rectors of Universities of Economics
• Conference of Rectors of Polish Universities
• Mayor of the City of Sosnowiec
• Mayor of the City of Chorzów
• Mayor of the City of Cieszyn
• Mayor of the City of Rybnik
• Mayor of the City of Gliwice
• Mayor of the City of Bielsko-Biała
• Mayor of the City of Bytom
• Mayor of the City of Zabrze
• Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange

Media Patronage

• Dziennik Zachodni
• FORUM AKADEMICKIE
• Polskie Radio Katowice
• Radio Nowy Świat
• TVP 3 Katowice
• TVP Info
• wKatowicach.eu

Institutional Partner

• Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice
• Silesian Theatre