Dr. Edyta Chlebowska is an Assistant Professor at the Cyprian Norwid Research Center, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. Specializing in the visual art and literary legacy of Cyprian Norwid, she explores intersections between Polish Romanticism, art history, and cultural studies. Her work extends to album art analysis and interdisciplinary connections with music (e.g., Pink Floyd, Czesław Niemen). Her research focuses on Norwid's self-portraits, eschatological themes in his drawings, and comparative studies with 19th-century Warsaw painting. She reconstructs lost artworks, documents private collections (e.g., Konstancja Górska, Victor Gomulicki), and examines Norwid's reception in Florence and Odessa. Key projects include translating Studia Norwidiana and critical editing of Norwid's complete works. As editor-in-chief of multiple On Cyprian Norwid. Studies and Essays volumes and organizer of conferences like Niemen Non Stop and Colloquia Norwidiana , she bridges academic rigor with public engagement. Her publications span peer-reviewed books, journal articles, and popular science pieces, emphasizing Norwid's unpublished works and symbolic programs.
Prof. Dr. hab. Marzena Górecka is a Full Professor at the Department of German-Language Literature and Culture , Faculty of Humanities , John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin . Her academic career includes habilitation (2006), Erasmus teaching assignments at the University of Freiburg (Switzerland), and leadership of the INTERREG III C project Language Bridges (2004-2006). Education: University of Lublin (Humanities), University of Zurich (Germanic Philology), University of Perugia (Italian Studies) Degree: Licentiata Philosophiae (1995), Doctorate in German Medieval Literature (1999) Research Focus: German medieval mysticism (Mechthild von Magdeburg, Hildegard von Bingen), Swiss German-language literature of the 20th century (Meinrad Inglin, Albin Zollinger), and literary translation theory with emphasis on Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI's Opera Omnia . She explores mystical anthropology, cultural boundaries, and the interplay between theology and literature. Recent Trends: Analysis of postmodern literary spirituality, translation challenges of theological texts, and cultural memory in European border regions. Her 2023 publications examine educational crises through religious pedagogy and contemporary social critique in Swiss literature. Key Awards: Feniks National Literary Award (2014, 2013), Ministerial Individual Scholarship (MEiN), Landes&Gyr Foundation Research Stipend (Switzerland) Academic Service: Active in international research (SNSF Berlin evaluation), editorial leadership for Opera Omnia Ratzinger , and conference organization on European values and migration. She serves on the Polish Ministerial Expert Panel for academic promotions.
Dr. Paweł Pluta is a researcher at the Department of Polish Literature of the 20th and 21st Centuries , affiliated with the Institute of Polish Philology at the University of Wrocław . He has been recognized with the Rector of the University of Wrocław Award for scientific achievements in 2010 and 2015. Research Focus: Polish and world poetry (20th-21st centuries), history of literary criticism (20th-21st centuries), Gothic and Romantic literature, Enlightenment studies, textual analysis, and cultural reception. Publication Trends include: 20th-21st century Polish poetry and criticism Reception of foreign authors (Edward Young, Volney) in Poland Analysis of Enlightenment-era occasional poetry and its political/national themes Gothic metaphors in architecture and literature Textual studies (manuscripts, annotations) and historical cultural contexts Scientific Awards Rector of the University of Wrocław Award (2010) Rector of the University of Wrocław Award (2015)
Prof. Dr. Hab. Anna Gemra is a literary historian and Professor at the University of Wrocław's Institute of Polish Philology. She leads the Department of Folk, Popular and Children's Literature and heads the Workshop of Popular Literature and Culture and New Media. Her research focuses on 19th-century literature (particularly Romanticism) and popular culture, including fantasy and crime fiction. She is editor-in-chief of "Literatura i Kultura Popularna" and editor of the "POPkultura–POPliteratura" series. She has organized numerous conferences on popular culture and authored monographs such as "Spokaż z inaczej perspektywy" (2019) and "From Gothicism to Horror" (2008). She serves on editorial boards of Polish and foreign journals and is a member of the Wrocław Scientific Society. She also contributes entries to encyclopedias like the Dictionary of Popular Literature . Research Interests: 19th-century Polish and world Romanticism Popular literature and culture analysis Fantasy and crime fiction studies Cultural and historical dimensions of literary genres Affiliations: Editorial Board Member: Homo Ludens , Studia Slavica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae , Przegląd Wschodnioeuropejski Jury Member: Jerzy Żuławski Literary Award, Wielki Kaliber Award Labs/Teams: Workshop of Popular Literature and Culture and New Media Editorial team of Filoteknos journal series
Dr. hab. Agata Seweryn, holding the title of Professor at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (KUL), serves in the Department of Enlightenment Literature, Romanticism and Art Criticism within the Institute of Literary Studies at the Faculty of Humanities. Her academic career spans decades of dedicated scholarship focused on Polish literary traditions from the Enlightenment through Romanticism, with particular emphasis on the intersections between literature and music. Professor Seweryn's research interests form a cohesive interdisciplinary framework examining Polish Enlightenment literature, Romanticism, literary criticism, and the complex relationship between music and literature. Her work demonstrates particular expertise in Norwid studies and Chopin's cultural reception, revealing how musical elements permeate literary works and vice versa. She has made significant contributions to understanding how Polish Romantic poets engaged with musical forms and how composers interpreted literary works. Her scholarly output reveals consistent thematic threads connecting musicology with literary analysis, particularly in examining how Polish Romantic writers incorporated musical structures into their poetry and prose. This interdisciplinary approach has yielded important insights into figures like Norwid and Chopin, while also exploring broader questions about artistic synthesis in 19th-century Polish culture. Medal of the National Education Commission Rector's Award, 1st degree Individual Award, 3rd degree Professor Seweryn actively supervises doctoral and master's theses while participating in numerous research projects funded by the Ministry of Education and Science, including the National Program for the Development of Humanities. She serves on juries for national literature and language olympiads and contributes to academic discourse through conference organization, including co-hosting the nationwide conference '(Po)między: borderlands, crossroads, undefined places.' Her service extends to editorial roles for scholarly publications and review work for academic journals. Her academic activities include regular lectures for secondary schools across Poland and specialized courses on voice production and spoken language culture at the Seminary of Friars Minor Capuchin in Lublin, demonstrating her commitment to both scholarly research and practical language education.
Dr hab. Małgorzata Gamrat is an Associate Professor at the Department of Religious Monody and Polyphony Research , Institute of Art Sciences , Faculty of Humanities , John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (KUL), Poland. She is an internationally recognised scholar specialising in the interrelations between music and literature, with particular emphasis on the works of Franz Liszt, Hector Berlioz and Honoré de Balzac. Her habilitation (2017, University of Warsaw) and joint Ph.D. (2012, Jagiellonian University & École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris) underpin a prolific research portfolio that spans Romantic music history, semiotics of music, and interdisciplinary studies. Education & Affiliations Ph.D. co-tutelle, Jagiellonian University & École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris (2012) Habilitation, University of Warsaw (2017) M.A., Université Toulouse II Le Mirail (2007) M.A., Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz (2008) Research Focus Dr Gamrat’s work is situated at the intersection of musicology , literary studies and semiotics . She explores how nineteenth-century composers engaged with contemporary poetry and how literary figures reflected on music, creating a rich intermedial dialogue . Key topics include: Piano and vocal music of Franz Liszt, including genre hybridization and transcriptions Hector Berlioz’s dramatic symphonies and their literary subtexts Honoré de Balzac’s musical aesthetics and collaborative networks Polish composers in the interwar Parisian milieu (e.g., Tansman, Paderewski) Methodologies of musical semiotics and intertextual analysis Recent Publication Trends Since 2020, her articles have increasingly integrated semiotic theory with close analytical readings , addressing questions of meaning , intertextuality and translation between artistic media. Contributions appear in leading journals such as Annee Balzacienne , Czas Kultury , Nottingham French Studies and World Futures , reflecting a trajectory from archival/documentary work toward philosophical and methodological reflection. Scientific Awards & Honours Elected Fellow, International Communicology Institute, Washington, DC (2023) University Laurel “Father Idzi Radziszewski Award” – 1st Degree, KUL (2024) University of Warsaw “Clio” III Degree Award (2017) Prize of the Polish Composers’ Union for the monograph on Liszt’s piano music (2015) Research Grants & Leadership Principal Investigator, NCN FUGA: “Franz Liszt's Songs for Voice and Piano...” (2013–2016) Co-investigator, NCN OPUS: “Presence of Polish Music in Interwar Paris” (2017–2020) Vice-coordinator, Czech-Polish Forum Grant: “Joseph von Eichendorff...” (2018) Member, Scientific Committee, 16th World Congress of Semiotics, Warsaw (2023) Editorial & Scholarly Service Dr Gamrat sits on the editorial boards of Musicology Papers and Roczniki Humanistyczne , and is a peer reviewer for Muzyka , Teoria Muzyki , Studia Chopinowskie , Res Facta Nova , among others. She co-organised the international conferences “40 Years of Musical Semiotics” (2023) and “Zola’s Legacies” (2021).
Stanislaw Moniuszko Academy of Music in GdańskPoland
Piotr Staniszewski is an Assistant Professor at the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk, where he has been employed since October 2024. Previously, he taught French horn at the Academy of Art in Szczecin from 2017 to 2022, where he was appointed professor in 2020. He maintains an active performance career as a member of the Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra in Gdańsk since 1993, performing internationally in Vatican City, Germany, Sweden, Russia, China, and USA. He also collaborates with the Polish Chamber Philharmonic in Sopot and has performed over 130 solo recitals and chamber concerts. Staniszewski's primary research interests encompass 19th-century Italian opera and the life and work of Gioacchino Rossini. His scholarly work includes six publications on piano music prepared as part of the International Piano Music Academic Sessions in Gdańsk. He has authored more than a dozen published arrangements or transcriptions for horn and chamber ensembles. His most recent publication, in October 2024, appeared in 'The Horn Call,' the quarterly journal of the International Horn Society in the USA, focusing on CD Lorenz. His artistic output includes three significant recordings: 'Sacred Music for Horn and Organ' (2000) with organist Ewa Mazurek-Krasodomska; 'Concert Songs of Romanticism' (2008) with soprano Aleksandra Kucharska-Szefler and pianist Bożena Szull-Talar; and 'Horn Fantasy' (2019), featuring the world's first recording of works for horn and piano by Carl Daniel Lorenz (1816-1866). Bronze Badge of the Polish Association of Choirs and Orchestras (1996) Award of the Mayor of Gdynia (2004, 2021) Diploma of the Minister of Culture (2004) Badge of Merit for Polish Culture (2009) Individual Award of the Director of the Center for Artistic Education (2016) Medal of the Commission of National Education (2019) Cultural Scholarship of the City of Gdańsk (2002, 2009) Staniszewski combines his academic work with extensive teaching experience, having instructed French horn and chamber ensemble classes at the Primary and Secondary Music School in Gdynia since 1993 and at the Complex of State Music Schools in Koszalin. His students have won over 230 awards in regional, national, and international competitions. He serves on juries for music competitions and as a consultant for the Center for Artistic Education in Warsaw since 2021. His music journalism for 'Ruch Muzyczny' includes 85 reports on major musical events in the Gdańsk region and international opera performances.
Karolina Maria Kotkowska is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Comparative Civilization Studies at the Faculty of Philosophy, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland. Her academic career centers on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of esoteric studies, intellectual history, and cultural phenomena with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe. Her educational background includes degrees in pedagogy, ethnology, and philosophy. She earned her Ph.D. in Philosophy with distinction from the Jagiellonian University in 2021, with a doctoral dissertation on Polish theosophy. Her academic journey includes a six-month internship at the HHP Centre at the University of Amsterdam funded through her National Science Centre Etiuda 4 grant. Dr. Kotkowska's research primarily explores Western esotericism, with particular emphasis on Theosophy and the Theosophical Society in Poland and globally. Her work investigates the boundaries between scientific discourse and occultism at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, new religious movements from a comparative perspective, and the role of esoteric ideas in shaping cultural phenomena. She employs intellectual history as her primary methodology to examine alternative spirituality and its cultural manifestations. Her extensive publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output across multiple journals and edited volumes, with a clear focus on Central and Eastern European esoteric traditions. Her work bridges historical analysis with contemporary relevance, examining how esoteric ideas continue to influence modern culture. The thematic progression of her research shows increasing sophistication in methodology and expanding geographical scope, from specifically Polish contexts to broader Central and Eastern European frameworks. Doctoral dissertation defended with distinction at Jagiellonian University National Science Centre Etiuda 4 scholarship recipient Coordinator of EU-funded CEMORY project (2025-2027) Project leader for National Science Centre grants (Sonata 19, Opus 23, Preludium 6) Co-founder of CEENASWE (Central and Eastern European Network for the Academic Study of Western Esotericism) Co-founder of Polish Association for the Study of Western Esotericism Dr. Kotkowska leads multiple significant research projects including the EU-funded 'Central European Memory of the Holocaust in a Multicultural and Multidimensional Perspective' (CEMORY) as coordinator, and several National Science Centre projects including 'Blurred Boundaries Between Scientific and Occult Discourse at the Turn of the 20th Century' and 'Theosophical Pedagogy: Relationships of a 19th-Century Project to Spirituality and Educational Theory.' She has established herself as a key figure in her field through her organizational roles in academic networks and editorial contributions to scholarly publications. As a co-founder and board member of CEENASWE (the Central and Eastern European Network for the Academic Study of Western Esotericism) and the Polish Association for the Study of Western Esotericism, Dr. Kotkowska has helped establish institutional frameworks for esoteric studies in the region. Her work connects with the European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism (ESSWE), positioning her research within broader international scholarly conversations.
Dr hab. Artur Timofiejew is a Professor at the Department of Polish Literature History, within the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS). His research focuses on Polish Enlightenment and preromantic literature, literary criticism, Classicism, and the cultural and textual representation of ruins. Institution: Maria Curie-Skłodowska University School: Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures Department: Department of Polish Literature History Academic Rank: Professor Timofiejew's work spans literary analysis of 18th- and 19th-century Polish texts, emphasizing cultural memory, educational novels, and the intersection of primitive culture with Enlightenment ideals. He has contributed to edited volumes and multi-author projects, including editions of historical manuscripts and co-editorship of cultural studies monographs. His recent publications explore themes such as axiological dimensions in Krasicki's works, textual representations of ruins, and the influence of classical translation. He collaborates with institutions like the Polish Society for 18th-Century Studies and Adam Mickiewicz Literary Society. Timofiejew's current affiliations and ongoing research suggest sustained engagement with Polish literary history and critical theory.
Prof. Dr. Hab. Krzysztof Biliński is a distinguished academic at the University of Wrocław's Institute of Polish Philology, serving as a Full Professor since 2008. He specializes in the history of Polish literature, particularly focusing on Romanticism, Positivism, and Young Poland eras. His research emphasizes religious themes, especially the influence of Emanuel Swedenborg's thought on poets like Adam Mickiewicz and Juliusz Słowacki. He also explores literary theory, including the works of Yuri Lotman and Charles Sanders Peirce, and has collaborated internationally. Affiliations: Head of the Department of the History of Positivism and Young Poland Literature (since 2011), member of the University Senate since 2008, and lecturer at the Old Catholic Church's theological seminary. Education: Doctorate and habilitation from the University of Wrocław, with prior teaching experience at high schools in Wrocław. Research Interests: Biliński's work bridges literary history and religious studies, analyzing biblical motifs in Polish literature and the interplay between theology and art. He has published extensively on figures like Maria Konopnicka, exploring their spiritual and cultural contexts. His theoretical contributions include semiotics and comparative literature studies. Publications: Over 150 works, including monographs like Literary Manifestations of Catholic Modernism in Poland and numerous articles in journals like Prace Literackie and Orbis Linguarum . Recent works address Vaslav Nijinsky, Adventism, and cultural critiques. Academic Service: Editor of scholarly volumes, reviewer for literary journals, and contributor to international conferences. His research extends to interdisciplinary topics like cognitive linguistics and mountain culture studies through the Institute's specialized workshops.
Prof. Dr. hab. Magdalena Jonca is a distinguished Professor at the University of Wrocław’s Faculty of Polish Philology, specializing in 19th-century Polish literature, particularly Romanticism, and children’s literature. Her research explores themes like childhood imagery, humanistic anthropotanatology, and works of authors such as Mickiewicz, Słowacki, and Orzeszkowa. She authored three monographs, including Queen Jadwiga. Sketches for a Literary Portrait , and co-edited volumes on Romanticism. Jonca teaches courses on Romantic literature and the history of childhood in literature. She has supervised four doctoral students and actively contributes to academic conferences and editorial projects. Her work bridges literary analysis with cultural and anthropological perspectives, emphasizing Poland’s Silesian region and comparative studies. Education & Academic Roles : Graduated from the University of Wrocław, with a habilitation in Polish Philology. Serves in the Institute of Polish Philology, leading seminars and lectures on Romanticism and children’s literature. Research Interests : Her studies intertwine literary history with sociocultural contexts, focusing on: Romanticism’s legacy in Polish literature Children’s literature’s evolution from the 19th to 21st centuries Mythology and religious symbolism in narratives Regional (Silesian) cultural expressions in literature Grants & Activities : Collaborates with institutions like the Wrocław Scientific Society and participates in international projects on comparative literature. She co-organizes conferences and contributes to editorial boards, including Filoteknos . Labs/Teams : Associated with the Institute’s Pracownia Prostej Polszczyzny (Simple Polish Textography Workshop) and the Humanistic Research on Mountain Issues team.
Dr. Jan Choroszy, Professor at the University of Wrocław and Head of the Department of Editing. Graduated from the Institute of Polish Philology (1983), PhD in Humanities (1990), and postdoctoral degree (2020) focused on Stanisław Vincenz's legacy and the Pater Noster cultural phenomenon. Key roles: Director of Wrocław House of Literature (2017), Editor-in-Chief of Wrocławskie Wydawnictwo Warstwy, Vice-President of Society of Friends of Polish Studies (1991–1997) Research foci: Vincenz's literary borderlands and Eastern Carpathian cultural representation Textual anthropology of religious writings and editorial practices Hutsul region in Galician literature (Władysław Łoziński, Józef Wittlin) Publications include the 2008 monograph Our Father – Ours on Lord's Prayer adaptations, and 15+ recent articles exploring: Literary identity construction (2024) Religious parodic discourse (2024) Cultural memory in prayer texts (2020) Biographical dimensions of Andrzej Vincenz (2014) Romantic literary geography (1987) Academic Leadership : Founded the Department of Editing (2010), now heading it since 2022. Directed National Science Centre research (2011–2015) on Wincenty Pol's natural science dissemination.
Dr. Marcin Gapski is an Assistant Professor at the Department of History and Historiography of East Central Europe, Institute of History, Faculty of Humanities, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. His work focuses on cultural heritage, historical symbolism, and tourism development in Eastern Europe. Institute of History, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin Specializes in East Central European history Active in cultural heritage preservation Research Interests: Dr. Gapski explores the intersection of history, cultural identity, and tourism. He investigates historical symbolism (e.g., animals in medieval culture), environmental impacts of political collapse, and the role of museums in preserving regional heritage. His work includes analyzing the Union of Lublin's contemporary significance and dietary taboos in Polish history. Scientific Recognition: He received the National departmental decoration Badge 'For the Care of Monuments' for his contributions to heritage preservation. Diploma Theses Supervision: Dr. Gapski has guided students in researching topics such as tourism development in Ukraine, Belarus, and Poland, focusing on cultural trails, extreme tourism (e.g., Chernobyl), and local heritage. Exhibitions: He co-realized the 'KUL - University of Independent Poland 1918-2018' exhibition, highlighting historical continuity in Polish academic institutions.
Dr. Joanna Malita-Król is a scholar affiliated with the Institute of Religious Studies at Jagiellonian University's Faculty of Philosophy. Her work bridges cultural and religious studies, focusing on contemporary Paganism, magic, Japanese Heian culture, and popular culture. She holds a PhD from Jagiellonian University's Department of Comparative Civilization Studies and Institute of Religious Studies. Research Interests: Contemporary Pagan practices (Wicca, Druidism) Ritual spaces and urban religious expression Lived religion and cultural hybridity Japanese culture (especially Heian period literature) Key Projects: Digital analysis of minority religions in Polish media (POB Heritage project) Impact of pandemic on Catholic collective practices (with Dr. Joanna Krotofil) Courses Taught: Introduction to Contemporary Paganism Methodologies in Religious Studies Genji Culture and Heian Aesthetics Languages: Fluent in English, Italian, and Japanese (N3 certified).
Dr. Joanna Maj is a Lecturer at the University of Wrocław's Faculty of Philology, specializing in Polish Philology. She holds a doctoral degree focusing on genological problems in the new history of literature. Her research interests span literary historiography, museum studies, performative aspects of historical narratives, and comparative cultural analysis. Her work critically examines how literary history is constructed through popular genres, oral performances, and institutional frameworks. Notable projects include studies on Stanisław Bereś's conversational literary history and the identity dimensions in Lower Silesian literature. She actively publishes in journals like Open Cultural Studies and Zagadnienia Genów Literackich , contributing to debates on postmodern historiography and transnational cultural exchanges. Maj's publications often bridge theoretical frameworks with empirical case studies, reflecting her commitment to interdisciplinary approaches. Her recent work explores the intersection of literature with tourism, museums, and regional identity politics.
