The student groups were supervised by: Katarzyna Marks, Francesco Rampolla and Ernest Kuczyński (Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of Lodz)
The visit to Lodz was an excellent opportunity to learn about the city's rich history, explore traces of multiculturalism and visit numerous cultural institutions (including the Museum of the City of Lodz, the Museum of Textiles, the Herbst Palace Museum and EC1). The students of International Cultural Studies, acting as hosts, prepared a rich programme, including classes, thematic walks, exhibition visits, Polish language classes and team-building activities. This more than fulfilled the objectives of the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), combining teamwork and experience-sharing based on an intensive learning programme encompassing both physical and virtual mobility.
This year's project aimed was to provide a transnational perspective on cultural heritage and urban infrastructure revitalisation, using the examples of Padua, Leipzig and Lodz as examples. The meeting at the Faculty of International and Political Studies at the University of Lodz was preceded by online classes and local preliminary research, the results of which were presented in multimedia presentations. By examining the global and national context of urban infrastructure, the participants were able to trace the history of Lodz, Leipzig, and Padua and compare the different development paths of their cities and strategies for rebuilding their image in economic and cultural contexts. In addition to developing skills in presenting research findings to an international audience, the students gained comparative knowledge of the cultural contexts in the three countries, allowing them to exchange experiences and discuss similarities and differences in urban revitalisation strategies.
In the summer semester of 2025/26, a return visit of International Cultural Studies students and members of the Student Science Club of Avant-Gardists to Leipzig is planned. Polish and German students will continue working on the project, especially since the meeting in Lodz highlighted the importance of international research on cultural heritage and the revitalisation of urban infrastructure.
