The World Copernican Congress is a unique event celebrating the achievements of Nicolaus Copernicus and their impact on science and culture. The opening ceremony of the Olsztyn part took place on 21 June at the Conference Centre of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. The Olsztyn university will for four days host meetings for people interested in discuss and reflect upon the issues related to the great astronomer and protecting his heritage.
‘There would be no World Copernican Congress without the joint initiative of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, the Jagiellonian University, the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn and the Polish Academy of Sciences Institute of the History of Science’, said the Rector of the Olsztyn university Prof. Jerzy Przyborowski. After expressing his gratitude to the organisers, he added: ‘Let us make the values and ideas that guided Nicolaus Copernicus more present not only during important anniversaries, but also in our education system, so that they contribute to peaceful coexistence of academic communities and entire societies. I wish everyone passionate debates, many inspirations, discovering and developing new approaches in research, and a genuine dialogue’.
JU Rector Prof. Jacek Popiel also stressed the importance of preserving Copernican values and celebrating his birth. ‘The idea of hosting the World Copernican Congress to celebrate the 550th anniversary of the astronomer’s birth, first proposed two years by the Rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń Prof. Andrzej Sokala, turned out be an amazing endeavour. However, such celebrations are only worthwhile if they extend the life of the celebrated ideas. I hope and wish that Copernican thought stays with us in the coming years’, he said.
Prof. Karl Galle, historian of science and researcher studying Nicolaus Copernicus’ life, delivered a lecture entitled ‘An Astronomer and His Castles: The Scientist as Public Servant in Copernicus’ Era and Our Own’, in which he gave a few examples of how the astronomer reconciled his scholarly efforts with the position of a public servant. He also brought a gift for the University of Warmia and Mazury: a seed which will eventually grow into ‘a Moon-Tree’, named so because it was taken into space by the Apollo-14 mission member Stuart Roos.
The programme of the Olsztyn part of the Congress will feature many interesting subjects. Amongst the speakers there will be many experts specialising in the life and work of Nicolaus Copernicus as well as cities and regions related to the astronomer. The attendees will also discuss how to best preserve the Copernican heritage.
The Olsztyn part World Copernican Congress will last until 24 June 2023.
