Katowice, Rector of the University of Silesia in Katowice
SCIENCE, EDUCATION, AND ART NEW INDUSTRY OF SILESIA
The 8th Silesian Science Festival in Katowice coincided with the finale of the European City of Science Katowice 2024 celebrations. It was an extraordinary edition. The great events of 2024 would not have been possible without the experience of the Silesian Science Festival and the cooperation of our university consortium, which enabled the city to win such a prestigious title. During this year's edition of the Festival, we summarised the year of European City of Science celebrations. However, we deeply believe that Katowice will remain the City of Science forever. For this to happen, science must constantly permeate the universities and their social and economic environment. This is the purpose of our new projects and ideas, which we will present during the Festival: the Scientific Programme for Silesia, the concept of the Green Science Zone, and the map of the Network Science Centre. These are the most important lasting effects that we would like to make the foundations of a real City of Science.
Join us during the next editions of the Festival and let's celebrate the great feast of science together. I invite you to the Silesian Science Festival Katowice!
* (2016–2024) SUPPORT PEOPLE
700,000 recipients*
124,000 online participants*
3,151 speakers*
6 ministries*
10 co-organisers*
24 honorary patrons*
1,864 lectures* THE PROGRAMME SO FAR
971 workshops*
1,441 exhibition stands*
ABOUT FESTIVAL
Silesian Science Festival Katowice is one of the largest popular science events in Poland and Europe. Our aim is to keep convincing people about the value of knowledge and scientific research, and their positive influence on the future of the world. We want to awaken and strengthen society's interest in science by arousing cognitive curiosity in people of all ages – that is why we focus on their active participation in shows, experiments, lectures, and discussions. ŚFN Programme offers hundreds of scientific attractions!
ŚFN REPRESENTED POLAND
AT EXPO IN DUBAI
Prof. Ryszard Koziołek, the Rector of the University of Silesia and the General Director of the Silesian Science Festival Katowice was the ambassador of the Poland Pavilion and the Silesian Voivodeship during Expo 2020 Dubai – the World Exhibition taking place from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022. Our representatives carried out a series of workshops for children as part of the Silesian Regional Week.
EXPO 2025 OSAKA, KANSAI
The University of Silesia was an active participant in the EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai World Exhibition. As part of the Silesian Voivodeship Weeks, USil scientists conducted science communication workshops in the proven ŚFN On Tour format. An innovative concept of the Green Science Zone was also presented – a space where science meets the idea of sustainable development.
AWARDS
2019 ‘Golden Rose’ – first prize for the best marketing campaign among popular science events during the EUPRIO (European Association of Communication Professionals in Higher Education) conference.
2020 Popularizer of Science – first prize in the competition organised by the ‘Science in Poland’ website of the Polish Press Agency and the Ministry of Higher Education and Science. ŚFN triumphed in the team category.
2022 ‘SuperMarka – Śląskie’
– SuperBrand Award for active, entrepreneurial, and socially responsible actions contributing to creating a recognisable brand of Silesia. The Award is organised by the Regional Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Gliwice.
2023 ‘PRom’ – award for communication, information, and promotional activities carried out by and on behalf of Polish universities; awarded to the team organising the 6th Silesian Science Festival. The Award is to support and recognise the best, the most creative, and the most effective activities in communication and promotional initiatives. Not only scientists and students work for the success of ŚFN; it is a joint effort of exhibitors, lecturers, and science communicators from Poland and the world. We find it important that the residents of the Silesian Voivodeship are made aware of the scientific variety of their region and are proud of having such great academic centres.
We are a member of the European Science Engagement Association (EUSEA) network – an organisation associating European science festivals.
Summary 10,000 + Science
Corner users of the ECSK
2024 celebrations
← Check out the VIDEO
The 7th and 8th Silesian Science Festivals were part of the European City of Science Katowice 2024
ECSK 2024 Read the summary
Chronicles of Silesian Science: 2024
STRUCTURE
10 organisers
7 universities
5 year-long programmes
EUR 3.5 million in EU funding
PEOPLE
590,000+ visitors
4,500+ scientists and science communicators
1,932 organised school groups
2,161 teachers
143 EUCYS participants
1,270 EU TalentOn applications
SUMMARY
MEETINGS
5,951 activities
3,269 events
2,044 lectures
1,422 workshops
European City of Science Katowice 2024
1,267 science shows 86 conferences and symposia 47 sporting events
cultural events
science hikes
competitions
43 countries of origin 34 cities where the programme took place 450+ locations
1,270 EU TalentOn applications
Summary 10,000+ Science Corner users
KATOPOLIS
On Saturday, 9 December 2023, the Spodek Arena hosted the music and science spectacle KATOPOLIS, an official ceremony opening the celebrations of the European City of Science Katowice 2024.
THE EVENT WAS DESIGNED BY:
↦ Miuosh – rapper and record producer,
↦ Zbigniew Rokita – writer and journalist, Winner of the Nike Literary Award,
↦ Jan P. Matuszyński, PhD – director of narrative films and documentaries,
↦ Mateusz Znaniecki – actor and film director.
ARTISTS ON STAGE:
↦ Natalia Grosiak,
↦ Julia Pietrucha,
↦ Dawid Tyszkowski,
↦ Piotr Rogucki,
↦ Mela Koteluk,
↦ Krzysztof Zalewski,
↦ Natalia Szroeder,
↦ Igo,
↦ Jan Stokłosa,
↦ ‘Harmonia’ Choir of the University of Silesia,
↦ Choir of the University of Economics in Katowice,
↦ Choir of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice,
↦ Academic Choir of the Silesian University of Technology,
↦ Cieszyn Brass Band of the University of Silesia in Katowice,
↦ Stokłosa Collective Orchestra,
↦ Student Song and Dance Ensemble ‘Katowice’ Of the University of Silesia in Katowice,
↦ actors of the Silesian Theatre, Korez Theatre, and Rozrywka Theatre: Grażyna Bułka, Marcin Gaweł, Barbara Lubos, Izabela Malik, Mirosław Neinert, Wiesław Sławik i Robert Talarczyk.
Night in the City of Science and City of Science Declaration
The first end-of-year summary of Katowice's celebrations of being awarded the title of European City of Science 2024 took place on Saturday, 8 December 2024. The City of Science Declaration was presented for the first time, confirming plans to continue the ECSK 2024 initiative. The document was signed by the rectors of universities affiliated with the Academic Consortium – Katowice City of Science and all those interested in the further development of our region.
The audience that gathered in front of the Main Stage in the Multifunctional Hall of the ICC could also participate in a unique film music concert by Jan Stokłosa and members of the Stokłosa Collective Orchestra.
It was a journey through the most famous motifs and themes known from cinema classics. The performers included Natalia Grosiak, Olga Szomańska, and Kuba Badach.
I WANT TO LIVE IN THE CITY OF SCIENCE! You too can help shape your place of life and work in line with the idea of the City of Science. Sign the declaration!
Who Creates the Silesian Science Festival Katowice?
The Silesian Science Festival Katowice has been organised by employees and students of universities forming the Consortium since 2018. The Consortium’s leader, founder and main organiser is the University of Silesia in Katowice.
Leader:
Host City: Co-hosts:
Over 1,300 employees of the University of Silesia in Katowice worked on the eight editions of the ŚFN Katowice
Co-organisers:
Each year, the event is visited by over 600 school groups
Festival Recognised Worldwide
In 2020, together with other Polish science festivals, we established the Forum of Polish Science Festival Organisers under the patronage of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
ŚFN is also an active member of EUSEA (European Science Engagement Association), within the framework of which we develop cooperation with foreign festivals.
Our representatives have visited scientific events in such cities as Göteborg, Edinburgh, Cheltenham, Belfast, and New York. ŚFN has become a member of Ecsite – the European Network of Science Centres and Museums, bringing together over 320 organisations committed to inspiring people with science.
The final of FameLab Poland, the world's largest science communication competition, took place on 4 June 2024. It was hosted by the University of Silesia as part of the European City of Science Katowice 2024 celebrations. The competition was organised in cooperation with Cheltenham Festivals, the owner of the licence to organise local editions of the competition. The winner of FameLab UK and a representative of Cheltenham Festivals were guests at the 8th edition of ŚFN.
We welcomed outstanding science communicators associated with the BBC, the world's largest radio and television broadcaster. The festival stages featured, among others: Fran Scott – an engineer and presenter known for her spectacular science shows, a judge on Lego Masters and a CBBC star; Greg Foot – a journalist and science communicator, host of the Sliced Bread programme on BBC Radio 4; Prof. Lewis Dartnell – astrobiologist at the University of Westminster, expert on the search for life on Mars, author of books and guest on BBC, National Geographic and Discovery programmes. During the 8th ŚFN, we partnered with Ars Electronica, a renowned centre for art, technology and society in Linz, Austria, to organise the AI Zone.
One of the guests of the 7th ŚFN was Frans Timmermans – former Vice-President of the European Commission and one of the main architects of the European Green Deal.
World Science Festival, New York City, USA
Cheltenham Science Festival, Cheltenham, GBR
Edinburgh Science Festival, Midlothian Science Festival Edinburgh, GBR
Vetenskapsfestivalen, Gothenburg, SWE
EUSEA – European Science Engagement Association, Vienna, AUT
EUPRIO – European Association of Communication Professionals in Higher Education, Antwerp, BEL
Expo 2020 Dubai, UAE
European City of Science 2022, Leiden, NLD
Trieste Next, Trieste, ITA
European Network of Science Centres and Museums, Brussels, BEL
Science Gallery, Dublin, IRL
Ars Electronica, Linz, AUT
ŚFN Katowice
Silesian Science Festival
Ambassadors
NICOLE STOTT
NASA astronaut
WIKTOR NIEDZICKI
Science communicator
JAROSŁAW JUSZKIEWICZ
Science journalist, science communicator
ARKADIUSZ GORZAWSKI, PHD
Accelerator physicist, software engineer
PROF. KATARZYNA KŁOSIŃSKA Linguist
TOMASZ ROŻEK, PHD
Physicist, science journalist
ŁUKASZ WILCZYŃSKI
President of the European Space Foundation
PIOTR BARON
Music journalist
AGATA KOŁODZIEJCZYK, PHD
The first Polish woman at the European Space Agency
DANIEL TAMMET
Savant, writer, polyglot
MIKOŁAJ SOKÓŁ
Journalist, TV commentator, F1 expert
ŁUKASZ LAMŻA, PHD
Natural philosopher, science journalist
DAVID PRICE
British science busker, writer
EWELINA ZAMBRZYCKA-KOŚCIELNICKA
Science communication journalist
Space Is Important to Us
ŚFN focuses on attractive arrangement solutions in the building of the International Congress Centre (ICC) – a new architectural symbol of our region.
INCLUDING:
↦ zones
↦ special zones,
↦ Main Stage
↦ stages
↦ exhibition stands
↦ experiments
↦ exhibitions
City of Science Market of Ideas Science Station
lecture and workshop halls food outlets and many more!
Seven editions of ŚFN took place at the International Congress Centre in Katowice
ŚFN occupies approx. 40,000m2 of space in the ICC
For the 5th ŚFN (2021), we created an open-air Scienceville by the Rawa river
Yolanda Ohene, PhD
Director of the Blackett Lab Family, Guest at the 8th ŚFN
Silesian Science Festival
Is for Everyone!
The Silesian Science Festival Katowice attracts crowds of younger and older people fascinated by science.
The Festival's offer is suitable for all audiences – for both organised school groups and entire families or friends who just want to spend their time in an interesting way. Every year, we prepare online broadcasts of the entire event for all those who cannot attend the Festival in person.
The 7th Silesian Science Festival was part of a weekend that kicked off the European City of Science Katowice 2024. The official ceremony celebrating the prestigious title took place in the city’s iconic building – Spodek Arena. The music and science spectacle called KATOPOLIS attracted a live audience of as many as 6,000 spectators.
The 5th Silesian Science Festival Katowice adopted a unique format. We invited you to participate in the outdoor and online space for the first time. The Rawa Scienceville arranged along the Rawa river was visited by nearly 35,000 people, and almost 25,000 people participated in online activities.
Silesian Science Festival Katowice
Power of Knowledge and Attractions
The programme of ŚFN Katowice includes the Opening Gala and the main part of the event taking place at the International Congress Centre (the 5th edition was an exception — see the chapter ‘A Unique Edition: ŚFN by the River’).
The programme of the main part consists of several hundred different types of activities promoting science and art. An important part of them is the exhibition stands located in six science zones that reflect the scientific fields implemented and taught at universities in the Silesian Voivodeship.
The activities offer hundreds of lectures and workshops, over a dozen exhibitions and concerts, and numerous
meetings with festival guests — many of them took place in a more cosy atmosphere, i.e. as part of the Tree of Tales or in the comforts of a science bookstore.
The programme of the Festival is supervised by the Programme and Organisational Team, as well as our technical coordinators. Most of the activities included in the programme are created on the basis of applications sent by units, employees, students, and doctoral students
The zones include: natural sciences, humanities and social sciences, technical sciences, medicine and health, exact sciences, arts.
The festival space is complemented by thematic zones, including:: special zone or zones, family zone, sports zone, competitions zone.
Circulation of the 8th ŚFN programme distributed together with Gazeta Wyborcza reached 50,000 copies.
Scientist, presenter.
Featured in the Progress 1000 ranking of the most influential people in London
Evolution and biodiversity researcher at Leiden University, senior researcher at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden
PROF. MENNO SCHILTHUIZEN
FRAN SCOTT
Selected Special Guests
special guests throughout eight editions of the Festival 399
PROF. J. GEORG BEDNORZ
RUSSELL ARNOTT
NICOLE STOTT
MARC ELSBERG WOJCIECH JAGIELSKI
DIONISIOS STURIS
FRAN SCOTT
PROF. NORMAN DAVIES EMER MAGUIRE DECLAN MCKENNA, PHD
DANIEL TAMMET WOJCIECH ORLIŃSKI
VICTORIA SIMMS, PHD
ROBERT ZUBRIN, PHD GRZEGORZ KASDEPKE
JON CHASE
GREG FOOT
SYLWIA CHUTNIK
BELINDA TATO
PROF. JEFF FORSHAW
DAWID MYŚLIWIEC, PHD MACIEJ PŁAZA, PHD
PROF. MENNO SCHILTHUIZEN ANNA DZIEWIT‑MELLER
PROF. ZBIGNIEW IZDEBSKI
63 international special guests hosted throughout eight editions of the Festival
MATEUSZ WITCZAK TYMON TYMAŃSKI
KRZYSZTOF M. MAJ, PHD
JAMIE GALLAGHER, PHD PROF. ROBIN DUNBAR
PROF. JERZY BUZEK
YOLANDA OHENE, PHD PROF. ANTONI DUDEK
MICHAŁ RUSINEK, PHD, DLITT, UJ ASSOC. PROF.
ARTUR ANDRUS
PROF. ANDRZEJ DRAGAN
ARTUR B. CHMIELEWSKI
PROF. MIKE BERNERS‑LEE
KRZYSZTOF ZANUSSI
FILIP SPRINGER BERNADETTE MURPHY
GEN. ROMAN POLKO
Special Zones
▶ COSMIC ZONE (3RD ŚFN)
▶ CLIMATE AND ELECTROMOBILITY ZONE (4TH ŚFN)
▶ STANISŁAW LEM ZONE (5TH ŚFN)
▶ CITY AND WATER ZONE (5TH ŚFN)
▶ REMOTE LIVING ZONE (5TH ŚFN)
▶ ACCESSIBILITY ZONE (5TH & 6TH ŚFN)
▶ COAL ZONE (6TH ŚFN)
▶ MOTORSPORT ZONE (7TH ŚFN)
▶ JOLANTA WADOWSKAKRÓL POST-INDUSTRIAL DISEASES ZONE (7TH ŚFN)
Sławosz UznańskiWiśniewski, PhD Eng. Polish ESA astronaut, guest at two editions of ŚFN
▶ GAMING ZONE (8TH ŚFN)
▶ AI ZONE (8TH ŚFN)
▶ COSMIC ZONE (8TH ŚFN)
Silesian Science Festival Katowice 2016–2024
We Reward Enthusiasts and Science Communicators!
SILESIAN SCIENTIFIC AWARD
The Award is granted to individuals who significantly contribute to the development of science, present outstanding artistic achievements, and promote Silesian science nationally and internationally.
POP SCIENCE
Granted for projects promoting science communication in five categories: Video Blog; Website or Blog; Radio Broadcast or Podcast; Think Globally, Act Locally – Academic Community; Think Globally, Act Locally – Resident of the Silesian Voivodeship.
OFF SCIENCE
OFF Science Competition, a.k.a. the Review of Garage Inventions, promotes the phenomenon of social innovation and ingenuity.
YOUTH FOR THE FUTURE OF SILESIA
The Competition is addressed to primary and secondary school students and their teachers working together on a specific research project on a daily basis and wishing to showcase it.
53 FINAL PROJECTS presented in the OFF SCIENCE Zone
MORE THAN 60,000 VOTES cast for science communicators at the four editions of POP Science
40 PROJECTS presented as part of the Youth for the Future of Silesia competition
44 SCIENTSITS awarded the Silesian Scientific Award (ŚNN)
Silesian Scientific Award
awarded in 2024
SPECIAL AWARD ‘DISTINGUISHED CONTRIBUTOR TO SILESIAN SCIENCE’
Marcin Krupa, PhD Eng. – Mayor of the City of Katowice
Kazimierz Karolczak
– Chairman of the Executive Board of the Metropolis GZM
WINNERS IN THE EMPLOYEES CATEGORY
Jan Dybała, MA and Piotr Ceglarek, MA – Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice
Wacław Adamczyk, PhD
– Academy of Physical Education in Katowice
Prof. Mariusz Gąsior, MD, PhD
– Medical University of Silesia in Katowice
Prof. Krystian Heffner
– University of Economics in Katowice
Prof. Eng. Sławomir Boncel – Silesian University of Technology
Prof. Miron Lakomy
– University of Silesia in Katowice
Prof. Anna Wypych Gawrońska
– Jan Długosz University in Częstochowa
MAYOR’S AWARD
Grzegorz Wojnar, PhD, DSc Eng.,
Assoc. Prof. – Silesian University of Technology
BEST DOCTORAL STUDENT
– winner in the Doctoral Student (award funded by the Metropolis GZM)
Adam Kaczmarek, MSc Eng. – Jan Długosz University in Częstochowa
Science Festivals EXPO
A unique element of the 6th ŚFN was the first Science Festivals EXPO, through which the organisers wanted to strengthen the integration of creators and science festivals organisers from Poland and abroad even further. The audience of the Festival could count on interesting lectures and science shows, which are presented at other science festivals in Poland and Europe.
Read more: Science Communication in the New Reality
Silesian Science Festival Katowice is the leader of the Forum of Polish Science Festival Organisers, which comprises 25 festivals.
An accompanying event to the 6th ŚFN was the Science Festivals EXPO in the market square in Katowice.
PROMOTION IN FIGURES
over 10,000,000 recipients reached with the information about the event approx. 400 media accreditations issued
57 media patrons
3,315 outdoor advertising media PLN 20,345,253 advertising
34 honorary patrons
115 editorial offices
ŚFN communication means constant contact with recipients and partners. We provide our audience with recordings of the most interesting performances, encourage them to participate in numerous activities, and invite them to meetings with our ambassadors and speakers via social media.
The promotion of each edition of the Festival has two stages – the first concerns the recruitment of activities, and the second – the programme, guests, and partners. In the second stage, we run an extensive, nationwide advertising campaign on the Internet, in the media, and in public space.
Promotion
and Communication
We are broadly represented in the media we have been cooperating successfully with for several years, e.g. by engaging journalists in promoting ŚFN.
Our graphic designs are prepared by artists who are responsible for our artistic visual identity. In 2019, the 3rd Silesian Science Festival Katowice gained recognition and won the competition for the best communication and marketing initiatives of European universities – EUPRIO Awards 2019.
Silesian Science Festival Katowice
Sponsors and Partners
Since its first edition, Silesian Science Festival Katowice has been supported by the City of Katowice, the Metropolis GZM, and the Marshal Office of the Silesian Voivodeship. Thanks to our partners, we can implement a diverse and attractive programme in an exceptionally attractive setting.
69 partners backed ŚFN Katowice during the 8th edition of the event
THE FESTIVAL HAS BEEN SUPPORTED BY:
↦ All 4 Comms Ltd.
↦ ArcelorMittal Poland
↦ Bank PEKAO
↦ Concept Music Art Sp. z o.o.
↦ Danone
↦ Fakro Sp. z o.o.
↦ Fujitsu
↦ Deloitte Foundation Poland
↦ GAZ SYSTEM S.A.
↦ Górnośląskie Przedsiębiorstwo Wodociągów S.A.
↦ Górnośląskie Towarzystwo Lotnicze SA
↦ ING Bank Śląski S.A.
↦ JSW S.A.
↦ JAS FBG
↦ Katowice Special Economic Zone
↦ Koleje Śląskie Sp. z o.o. (Silesian Railways)
↦ Mokate
↦ PKO Bank Polski
↦ Polskie Górnictwo Naftowe i Gazowe (PGNiG)
↦ PZU SA
↦ Reply
↦ Łukasiewicz Research Network
↦ Węglokoks
8th ŚFN
Leader: University of Silesia in Katowice
Host City: City Katowice
Co-hosts:
Silesian Voivodeship, Metropolis GZM
Co-organisers:
Silesian University of Technology
Medical University of Silesia in Katowice
Jan Długosz University in Częstochowa
Czestochowa University of Technology
University of Economics in Katowice
Academy of Physical Education in Katowice
Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Katowice
Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice
Gold Sponsor: PKO Bank Polski
Silver Sponsor:
ING Bank Śląski
iStudies by iSpot
Sponsor: All 4 Comms Ltd.
Fakro Sp. z o.o.
Gold Partner:
Górnośląskie Towarzystwo Lotnicze S.A.
Silver Partner:
Łukasiewicz Research Network
Strategic Partner and Main Media Patron: Polityka
Wiedza i Życie
Świat Nauki
Pulsar
Partner: Lasy Państwowe
Polish-US Fulbright Commission
The event was co-financed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education under the ‘Social responsibility of Science II’ programme.
Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange
Copernicus Center
Experyment Science Center in Gdynia
Polskiej Izby Rzeczników
Patentowych
Aglo Festiwal
BECEK
Przestrzeń Słowa
Silesian Library
Jerzy Pilch Word Festival ‘Granatowe Góry’
Silesian Museum
Do dzieła. Mobilna Pracownia
plastyczno-sensoryczna
Bajka Pana Kleksa
W TO MI GRAJ Foundation
Mobilna strefa kreatywności
SUPER Giganci Preschool
Centrum Kreatywności 1000 klocków by Bricks4kidz
Animacje Megi
Main Media Patronage:
Onet
TVP Nauka
Main Regional Media
Patronage: Radio Katowice
Media Patronage:
PAP Science in Poland
Forum Akademickie
Radio 357
TVP Info
Gazeta Wyborcza
Dziennik Zachodni
Radio Bielsko
Financed by the EU. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). The European Union and the REA are not responsible for them.
Mały Gość Niedzielny Świerszczyk children’s magazine
Honorary Patronage:
Minister of National Education
Minister of Science and Higher Education
Ministry of Climate and Environment
Ministry of Culture and National Heritage
Ministry of Sport and Tourism
Ministry of Finance
National Science Centre
Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences
National Centre for Research and Development
Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange
Patent Office of the Republic of Poland
Polish Space Agency (POLSA)
Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship
Wojciech Saługa
Metropolis GZM
Mayor of the City of Katowice
Mayor of the City of Gliwice
Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Budka
Mayor of the City of Sosnowiec
Mayor of the City of Zabrze
Mayor of the City of Bytom
Mayor of the City of Chorzów
Mayor of the City of Cieszyn
Mayor of the City of
Radio Express
Radio eM
Charaktery
wKatowicach.eu
Gość Niedzielny
Bielsko-Biała
Mayor of the City of Częstochowa
Exceptional Edition
– ŚFN by the Rawa
River
In 2021, we organised the Festival in a completely new format, arranging the open-air Rawa Scienceville by the river. The event was held on Sunday, 11 October.
The festival area stretched over a kilometre, from the Market Square in Katowice, through the following streets: Teatralna, Szkolna, Moniuszki, Pańki, and the campus of the University of Silesia in Katowice at Bankowa, including the car park behind the USil Faculty of Law and Administration.
THE RAWA EDITION INCLUDED SOME NEW ELEMENTS:
Accessibility Zone – we tried to show visitors how difficult life can be from the perspective of people with disabilities;
Support Zone ‘Four Walls of Homelessness’ (prepared in cooperation with the Municipal Social Welfare Centre in Katowice) – 66 people in the crisis of homelessness enjoyed a free hot meal, and could use sanitary facilities and psychological and legal help.
Lectures were held on as many as 14 stages
Green Science Zone
The Green Science Zone (ZSN) is a modern and comprehensive initiative aimed at creating a space that combines science, recreation, ecology and innovation — with the residents of Katowice and the entire academic community in mind.
The project involves the development of urban space in the spirit of sustainable development. We want Katowice to become an even more friendly place to live, learn and relax — taking care of nature and the well-being of the local community.
ZSN is designed on the basis of research conducted by scientists from various fields. Thanks to this, its solutions will serve both education and the everyday life. The result of these efforts will be a unique place: a space for science communication, an interactive exhibition, and a real living laboratory.
Silesian Science Festival Katowice 2016–2024
ŚFN ON TOUR – SCIENCE ON TOUR
The ŚFN on Tour is an initiative carried out as part of the Mobile Zone that appears as a guest during various events promoting science.
↦ 28–30 May 2021 | Kopczyński Park in Wisła
ŚFN on Tour at the Jerzy Pilch Festival of Words ‘Granatowe Góry’ (Blue Mountains)
↦ 24 July 2021 | Rosarium in the Silesian Park, Chorzów ŚFN on Tour at the ‘Śniadanie na trawie’ (Breakfast on the Grass) in Park Śląski
↦ 30 Sep 2023 | Culture Zone, Katowice ŚFN on Tour – relax zone during the 'Zalewski and Friends' concert in celebration of Spodek Arena’s 50th anniversary
↦ 16 Sep 2021 | Technology hall of the Silesian University of Technology campus in Katowice Press conference of the Silesian Science Festival Katowice and Researchers’ Night
↦ 25 Apr 2023 | ul. Uniwersytecka 4, Katowice
ŚFN on Tour at the 'City of Science for Ukraine' concert
↦ 3–5 June 2022 | Kopczyński Park in Wisła
ŚFN on Tour at the Jerzy Pilch Festival of Words ‘Granatowe Góry’ (Blue Mountains)
↦ 26 June 2022 | International Congress Centre in Katowice World Urban Forum (WUF11)
ŚFN ON TOUR MEANS:
↦ 10–11 Sep 2022 | Katowice Forest Park City of Katowice Anniversary
↦ 18 Sep 2022 | pl. Jana Nowaka-Jeziorańskiego, Kraków Erasmus+ Innovation Day
↦ 14–18 Sep 2022 | Leiden, The Netherlands Art Science Week
↦ 8–9 Oct 2022 | Planetarium - The Silesian Science Park, Chorzów Lemoniada 2022
↦ 22 Apr 2023 | Market Square in Katowice Earth Day in Katowice
↦ 25 Apr 2023 | University of Silesia campus in Katowice ŚFN on Tour. Rawa Edition!
↦ 3–4 June 2023 | Kopczyński Park in Wisła
ŚFN on Tour at the Jerzy Pilch Festival of Words ‘Granatowe Góry’ (‘Blue Mountains’)
↦ 12 Apr 2023 | ul. Uniwersytecka 4, Katowice
ŚFN on Tour at the USil Faculty of Humanities
↦ 12 Apr 2023 | Ogrodzieniec Castle
ŚFN on Tour in Ogrodzieniec
↦ 1 Sep 2023 | Katowice Forest Park City of Katowice Anniversary
↦ 30 Sep 2023 | Culture Zone, Katowice
‘European Funds – New Energy’ Family Picnic
↦ 7 Sep 2023 | Sielec Park, Sosnowiec
‘European Funds – New Energy’ Family Picnic
↦ 8 Oct 2023 | Piast Castle, Racibórz
‘European Funds – New Energy’ Family Picnic
ŚFN on Tour ‘Home of Science’ 2024/2025
In 2024, we continued our series of meetings with representatives of the scientific community at institutions providing care and education services in the Silesian Voivodeship. The priority of ŚFN on Tour – ‘Home of Science’ was to bring science to places and associations for which organising trips to scientific institutions poses a greater challenge.
▶ ‘Dom Aniołów Stróżów’ Children and Youth Aid Association in Katowice
▶ Care and Education Centre Children’s Home No. 10 in Katowice
▶ Care and Education Centre Children’s Home No. 9 in Katowice
▶ KRAINA Przyjaźni community centre, Dar Serca Association in Dąbrowa Górnicza
▶ A facility in the form of a backyard workshop in Chorzów
▶ Care and Education Centre Children’s Home No. 11 in Katowice
▶ Care and Education Centre Children’s Home No. 12 in Katowice
▶ District Care and Education Centre in Gorzyczki
Between 1 July and 28 February 2025, researchers affiliated with ŚFN visited eight institutions and invited over 100 pupils to participate in workshops and popular science events.
Visual Identity Throughout the Years
2019
Photo: Julia Szymala
Illustration:
Marek Głowacki
Design: Cutberry
Maja Chojnacka
Illustration: Natalia Łukomska
Design: Cutberry
Maja Chojnacka
2017
Photo: Szymon Nawrat
Design: Cutberry Maja Chojnacka
2023
Graphic: Grzegorz Hańderek Design: Iwona Cichy
2021
Illustration: Natalia Łukomska Design: Cutberry Maja Chojnacka
2025
Graphic: Tomasz Kipka Design: Iwona Cichy, Karolina Skorupka
2022
Illustration:
Natalia Łukomska Design: Iwona Cichy
Silesian Science Festival Katowice 2016–2024
Check out the new visual identity of the Silesian Science Festival Katowice! ↲
New Visual Identity
For the 8th Silesian Science Festival Katowice, we introduced a new visual identity designed by Tomasz Kipka, PhD, Assoc. Prof. – designer and lecturer at the Institute of Fine Arts. The change was a natural step after years of development of the event and a response to the changing environment, especially the growing sensitivity to accessibility issues. The new lettering – wider, based on lowercase letters – improves readability and better meets contemporary standards. The key graphic element is a dynamic motif, reminiscent of a living organism creating structures and seeking non-obvious connections. The tonal transition characteristic of ŚFN has been retained, ensuring aesthetic continuity, and the whole is tied together by a cogwheel symbolising the cooperation between Katowice's universities and referring to the logo of the European City of Science 2024.
Gaming Zone at the 8th ŚFN
Many Colours of ŚFN
Games and entertainment
With ŚFN throughout the centuries
Robots and AI
Concerts at ŚFN
Watch the wrap-up videos of the previous editions of the Silesian Science Festival Katowice and see for yourself that
