Kinga Strycharz-Bogacz

Dr. Kinga Strycharz-Bogacz is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Ethnomusicology and Hymnology, Institute of Art Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (KUL). With over a decade of academic service since obtaining her PhD in 2012, she has established herself as a leading scholar in Polish ethnomusicology, specializing in religious folk music traditions.

Her educational background includes:

• Graduation from Karol Lipinski General Primary and Secondary Music School in Lublin (piano)
• MA in Musicology from KUL under supervision of Prof. Bolesław Bartkowski
• PhD from KUL (2012) on "Folk Passion and Easter Singing in the music tradition of Lesser Poland and Subcarpathian region"

Dr. Strycharz-Bogacz's research focuses on the living tradition of religious singing in Poland, with particular attention to regional characteristics of folk religious songs, their social and cultural contexts, and their role as culture-forming factors. Her work bridges ethnomusicology and hymnology, drawing extensively from the empirical phonic recordings in the Archive of Music Religious Folklore at KUL. She has conducted field research across various regions of Poland, documenting traditional music practices that connect contemporary religious expression with historical traditions.

Her scholarly output demonstrates a consistent trajectory examining Polish religious folk songs through multiple lenses - from specific genres like Christmas carols and Easter songs to broader studies of cultural transmission and religious expression. Her publications reveal deep engagement with both Polish and international academic discourse, with particular emphasis on preserving and analyzing religious music traditions that continue to evolve in contemporary contexts.

Awarded numerous honors for her contributions:

• Silver Medal for long-term service from the President of Poland (2016)
• Medal of Recognition by the Mayor of Lublin (2020)
• Second prize in Kurier Lubelski Plebiscite - Academic Teacher with a Medal (2018)
• Medal Jubileuszowy 100-lecia KUL (2018)

As an academic mentor, Dr. Strycharz-Bogacz has supervised 82 diploma theses and reviewed 128 others. She actively participates in numerous research projects funded by the National Program for the Development of Humanities and the Ministry of Culture, including significant work on "Polish Traditional Music - Phonographic Heritage" and "Lexicon of Polish Folklore." Her leadership extends to coordinating the Erasmus+ Program at KUL since 2013 and serving on the Advisory Team for the "Pearls of Science" program.

Beyond her academic work, she has directed the Academic Pastoral Ministry Choir of KUL since 1993 and previously served as musical director of the ITP Theatre (2002-2008), demonstrating her commitment to both scholarly and practical aspects of musical tradition.