European Culture Congress begins in Wroclaw

President Komorowski opens the comngress in Wroclaw; photo - PAP/Maciej Kulczyński

Polish participants include film-maker Andrzej Wajda, composer Krzysztof Penderecki, and writer Dorota Maslowska.

The event, which comes under the patronage of Poland's Presidency of the EU Council, follows on the heels of 2009's 6th Congress of Polish Culture in Krakow.

However, it is the first enterprise of its kind to encompass Europe as a whole.

Conceived to debate the role of culture in today's Europe, the congress sees over 100 events spread across four days, taking in exhibitions, film screenings, concerts and debates.

In connection with the event, Poland's Ministry of Culture commissioned a book by eminent Polish-British sociologist Zygmunt Bauman, who was compelled to emigrate from communist Poland in 1968.

Many of the themes raised by Bauman will be up for discussion in Wroclaw, including how culture can draw on the free market without becoming a victim, and whether 'Europeanism' is simply an intellectual construct.

Director Andrzej Wajda sung the praises of the initiative.

“We need such an event on an international scale,” he told Polish Radio.

“The congress shows how open we are to the world,” he said.

One of the main musical presentations at the European Culture Congress in Wroclaw is a joint project of composer Krzysztof Penderecki, guitar player Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead and electronic musician Aphex Twin. (nh/ss/pg)

See official congress web site here.

Audio by Michal Kubicki