Monday, September 8
10:30 - Opening remarks
Senate Chamber
10:45 - Women in Diplomacy
Aleksandra Kucy, Polish Consul General, Vancouver
Senate Chamber
12:00 - Lunchtime Reception
12:30 - Live concert performance by Obsessions String Quartet
Program: Grażyna Bacewicz - String Quartet No.4, and Duet for two violins: Krakowiak and Kujawiak
Joanna Ciapka- Sangster, violin
Yue Deng, violin
Leanne Maitland, viola
Amy Nicholson, cello
University Commons Atrium
13:15 - “Unquestionably the most Poetical Topic in the World”? An Autopsy of Selected Polish Vampires and Femmes Fatales
Public lecture by Pierre Van Cutsem
Senate Chamber
The presentation will focus on how femininity is portrayed in selected Polish literary and cinematographic works belonging to — or flirting with — the Gothic genre. From spirits, vampires and salamanders to Slavic demons, femmes fatales or “hysterical” women, Polish arts have been permeated with the ghosts of femininity. This short séance aims at summoning them back from beyond the veil of our imagination.
Tuesday, September 9
11:30 - Lunch and Film Screening
A Lonely Woman - Kobieta Samotna – Agnieszka Holland, director
Senate Chamber
Join us for a special screening of A Lonely Woman (Kobieta samotna), a powerful early film by acclaimed Polish director Agnieszka Holland. Known for her fearless storytelling and deep engagement with political and social issues, Holland is one of Poland’s most influential filmmakers. A Lonely Woman (1981) offers a stark, unflinching portrait of life on the margins in late communist Poland, following Irena, a single mother and postal worker, as she struggles against poverty, isolation, and an indifferent system. Banned for years by the communist regime, the film remains a bold and haunting critique of oppression and a poignant exploration of female resilience. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see a seminal work by a master of socially engaged cinema.
13:30 - Between Krakow, Munich and Paris. Olga Boznańska:
Her Painting and Artistic Career
Public lecture by Karolina Dzimira-Zarzycka and Jakub Zarzycki
Senate Chamber
Olga Boznańska (1865-1940) was the most famous Polish female artist at the turn of 19th and 20th century and one of the most prominent painters in that time, known especially for her portraits. Born in Krakow, she studied in Munich and later developed her career in Paris. Boznańska's atelier in Montparnasse became a legendary artistic venue.
Wednesday, September 10
12:30 - Olga Boznańska. How to Become an Artist and Not to Starve to Death
Exhibition with text by Karolina Dzimira-Zarzycka
Main Foyer
By resolution of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland (Polish Parliament), Olga Boznańska was declared the patron of 2025, marking the 160th anniversary of the painter’s birth and 85th anniversary of her death. Exhibition shows Boznańska's career (especially her financial struggles and social barriers which she met as a female artist), presents interesting excerpts from her letters and interviews and is illustrated with many paintings and photographs.
13:30 - Polish women in the land of Chestnuts. The female immigration experience (Austria, Vienna)
Public lecture by Joanna Dobkowska-Kubacka
Senate Chamber
Thursday, September 11
12:00 - Film Screening
Papusza - Joanna Kos and Krzysztof Krauze, directors
Senate Chamber
14:00 - Własna pracownia. Gdzie tworzyły artystki przełomu wieków
(Room of One's Own. Where Female Artists Created at the Turn of the Century)
Lecture and author event by Karolina Dzimira-Zarzycka
Senate Chamber
Note: this event takes place in Polish language only
Friday, September 12
13:00-14:00 - Wirth Institute Open House
300 Arts Building
Visit the Wirth Institute at the 海角社区's historic Arts Building and meet the Wirth team -- including new director, Dr. Dominique Kirchner Reill! This is a wonderful opportunity to connect and engage with the vibrant work happening at Canada's premiere hub for all things Central Europe.
14:00-15:30 - Central European Cafe
Arts Lounge
Join us for our opening Central European Cafe of the 2025/2026 Academic Year! To conclude our dynamic Polish Week programming, celebrate with us in the Arts Lounge and enjoy freshly brewed coffee, fragrant teas, and delicious Central European-style pastries and other goodies. Most importantly, our cafes provide a welcoming setting to make new connections with fellow Central European enthusiasts and learn more about this endlessly fascinating part of the world.