The Gdańsk Academy of Music became a forum for debate on the future of Pomerania. During the 9th Economic Convention of the Fahrenheit Union of Universities in Gdańsk, representatives from the worlds of academia, local government and business sought answers to the question of how to combine market potential with culture and innovation. The event, organised under the slogan #Science, art and the economy - together for the future, set out new directions for strategic cooperation in the region.
The meeting was opened by the Chair of the FarU Economic Convention, dr Zbigniew Canowiecki, who, after welcoming the guests, welcomed two Gdańsk-based arts institutions - the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music and the Academy of Fine Arts - into The Fahrenheit Union of Universities in Gdańsk. He noted with a smile that whilst three-quarters of the meeting would be devoted to music, the remainder would focus heavily on key economic challenges.
Dr Zbigniew Canowiecki spoke on numerous occasions throughout the meeting. He paid particular tribute to the collaboration with the Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, Mieczysław Struk, highlighting his role in motivating local communities to devise bold development strategies. As the Chairman noted, it is precisely thanks to this that Pomerania has been able to implement innovations that are unique on a national scale - including in the fields of healthcare, transport and, indeed, the federalisation of higher education institutions.
The participants were welcomed by the host of the event - the Rector of the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk, prof. Ryszard Minkiewicz. He expressed his gratitude for the large turnout from the Pomeranian academic and business communities. In his subsequent presentation, he outlined the institution’s rich history and transformation, concluding with an appeal to representatives of business and local government: “Let us seek areas of cooperation, for art truly fosters development”.
An introductory address was also given by the Chair of the Assembly of The Fahrenheit Union of Universities in Gdańsk, prof. dr hab. inż. Krzysztof Wilde. The Rector of Gdańsk University of Technology noted that the transition from interdisciplinarity to transdisciplinarity forms the foundation for the expansion of FarU. He pointed out that the key objective of the Convention is to accelerate the university’s development and to attract and retain talent in Pomerania. He emphasised, moreover, that the choice of where to live is determined by the quality of the local environment, including its cultural offerings. Prof. Wilde addressed the strategic future of the association, announcing plans to submit an application to establish a federated Fahrenheit University. As he noted, the statutes provide for the status of associated units, which will allow for the inclusive integration of further entities into the association and the joint development of the region’s competitiveness.
The Deputy Governor of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, Anna Olkowska-Jacyno, also took the floor, referring to the debate “Quo vadis FarU?” and commending the pace of development and the synergistic effect of combining the potential of Gdańsk’s higher education institutions. She expressed her conviction that integration is the only path to effective competition on the innovation landscape in Poland and Europe. She pointed out that a strong region creates a strong Poland and a strong European Union, and that building the future of Pomerania must be based on supporting knowledge, dialogue with the arts, and fair remuneration for local talent.
Speaking on behalf of the local authority, the Mayor of Sopot, Magdalena Czarzyńska-Jachim, declared her full support for the development of FarU, as confirmed by the local councillors’ decision to allocate 5 per cent of the metropolitan union’s budget to this cause. Referring to the theme of the European Cultural Compass, she highlighted the crucial interdependence between culture and the economy. She called on the business community and public administration to change their mindset and treat creative work on a par with any other profession. She emphasised that the development of artistic talent requires stable economic conditions, not merely opportunities to showcase creative work.
Dr Adam Mikołajczyk, Director of the Department of Regional and Spatial Development at the Marshal’s Office of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, outlined the key regional perspective by presenting the principles of the ‘Pomeranian Voivodeship Development Strategy 2035’. He emphasised that this document is, and should be, the result of the work of the entire community, not just the local government. He spoke of the need to attract talent from Lviv, London and Lublin alike, and of building a new brand for the metropolitan area. He encouraged participants to take an active part in the strategy consultations, which will run until 8 January 2027, under the slogan ‘Seek out challenges and build’. Dr Mikołajczyk also drew attention to Poland’s energy hub shifting northwards, noting that it depends on local cooperation whether the development of Pomerania’s industry and economy will follow suit.
During her speech, “Development for Students - aMuz for the Future”, dr Magdalena Ochlik-Jankowska, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Promotion at Amuz, spoke about adapting the university’s programmes to the dynamic labour market. She presented the results of far-reaching curriculum reforms over the past six years, highlighting the work of a team of specialists led by the Vice-Rector for Organisation and Academic Affairs, Prof. Marek Rocławski, dr hab. The university has launched a range of innovative specialisations: from music composition for games and films, through music in media communication and chamber music, to music production and sound engineering within the newly established 5th Faculty of Jazz and Popular Music. All this is to ensure that graduates can consciously shape their careers and be duly rewarded for their efforts.
The Vice-Rector for Artistic Affairs, dr hab. Andrzej Kacprzak, during his speech entitled ‘The Academy of Music - the potential of people, culture and the region’, continued the theme of the academic staff’s potential and the successes of alumni from Gdańsk’s alma mater, which has been awarded the highest A+ category. Pointing to graduates such as Leszek Możdżer, Justyna Steczkowska and Ralph Kamiński, he emphasised that the Academy does not produce clones, but unique individuals. The Vice-Rector drew attention to the possibility of transferring ‘thinking like a musician’ to the business world. As an example, he cited a string quartet - the ideal model for a corporate team, based on listening to one another, trust and shared responsibility for the final product.
Thematic presentations showcased the broad spectrum of applications for art and music in medicine, business and the contemporary creative sector:
- The Multidimensional Artist. Art’n’Voices as a Model of Contemporary Creative Practice | mgr Anna Rocławska-Musiałczyk, dr Tomasz Chyła
- Music That Brings People Together - Art Therapy and the Art of Collaboration | dr Michał Kierzkowski
- Music in Business | mgr Barbara Marwińska-Hansson
The programme of the event included not only theoretical discussion but also practical experience - participants were treated to live performances. The artistic programme opened with a solo piano performance by Mikołaj Sikała, highlighting the superb skill of young performers associated with Gdańsk’s music scene. The event was co-hosted by jazz journalist, poet, songwriter and vocalist Marta Goluch, who is currently also studying at aMuz.
The event concluded with a performance by the aMuz Big Band, conducted by Jan Konop. The band presented jazz arrangements of works by the university’s patron, Stanisław Moniuszko. Their dynamic rendition of classic themes in a fresh new style was met with a very warm reception from the audience.
