The walls of the Faculty of Economics will once again be decorated with a mural inspired by the work of Raphael Santi. You are invited to the official unveiling of the mural painting ‘Athens School 2024’ on 24 October at 12:00, in front of the wall of the building where the T. Ocioszyński Auditorium of the Faculty of Economics of the UG is located.

‘A mural was created on the wall of the University of Gdańsk building in Sopot, inspired by a work by Raphael Santi painted in the Apostolic Palace in Rome and considered one of the most important works of the Renaissance. Its subject matter is clearly linked to science, culture and dialogue. This makes it an ideal theme to characterise and inspire contemporary school - University - students and lecturers,' says Head of the Wall Painting and Stained Glass Workshop of the Faculty of Painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, prof. dr hab. Jacek Zdybel.

The first wall painting on the Faculty of Economics building was created in the 1980s as the graduation project of Rafał Moczydłowski and was realised together with Kuba Bryzgalski and Aleksander Widyński. Due to the renovation and insulation of the building, the mural was covered over. Years later, the authorities of the Faculty of Economics and the University of Gdańsk decided to return to the idea of a painting decoration on the wall of the building.

The contemporary version of the ‘Athens School’ is also the work of alumni of the Studio of Wall Painting and Stained Glass. Erik Reinvald, a young graduate of the Faculty of Painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, prepared his own interpretation of Rafael Santi's famous work.

‘Each of these interpretations, whether of Rafael, Moczydłowski, or Erik Reinvald's current one, has something of the longing for an ideal ‘school’, but also a great deal of contemporary baggage that surrounds the authors,’ says prof. Jacek Zdybel. ‘Each is a message of the time of their creation, a kind of praise of life ‘here and now.’

The symbolic unveiling will be attended by the dean's authorities of the Faculty of Economics and the Rector of UG, prof. dr hab. Piotr Stepnowski, who has supported this exceptional undertaking from the very beginning. Also present will be Prof. Jacek Zdybel, the scientific supervisor of the project, as well as representatives of the authorities of the City of Sopot and the authors of the mural - students of the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk.