Bożena Gierek

Bożena Gierek is an Associate Professor at the Centre for Comparative Studies of Civilisations, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland. Her academic work bridges religious studies, cultural anthropology, and sociolinguistics, with a strong focus on comparative cultural phenomena.

Her research interests include:

• Comparative Religion Studies
• Celtic culture and Christianity
• Rituals and ceremonies across cultures
• Death in various cultural contexts
• Sociolinguistics and nonverbal communication
• European cultural heritage and identity

Her scholarly output reflects a deep engagement with both historical and contemporary religious practices, particularly in Poland and Ireland. The thematic trends in her publications reveal sustained inquiry into how cultural and religious traditions evolve, migrate, and interact in modern societies—especially through festivals, language, and immigrant experiences.

Key publication themes include:

• Easter and Christmas rituals in Poland
• The political use of harvest festivals under communism
• The transnational spread of the Festival of Brigid
• Celtic linguistic and spiritual revival
• Religious adaptation among Polish immigrants in Ireland

She has authored significant books such as Religions of the Celts (2013), Celtic Tradition in Religious Life of Contemporary Irish Society (2002), and Celts (1988), alongside numerous articles and over a hundred encyclopedia entries on religion.

Dr. Gierek actively contributes to academic discourse through conference participation, including presentations on the Irish language as cultural heritage and the promotion of Małopolska's local heritage.