About the authors:
Lara and Bianca are Masters’ students of International History and Politics at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies IHEID. The Institute has been a member of the Europaeum since 1998.
Day 1 Departure from Geneva and Arrival in Kraków
We arrived in Kraków on the same day, where we stayed at the Kazimierz II, a hotel located in the city’s famous Kazimierz district, the historic Jewish Quarter.
From the very first moment, the city radiated culture. Walking through Kazimierz, with its cobbled streets, historic buildings, independent cafés, art galleries, and traces of centuries of history, it became clear why Kraków is considered one of Europe’s great cultural capitals.
Day 2 First Day of Classes in Kraków
The second day marked our first day of classes, filled with conceptual debates ranging from the value of creativity for science to the role of art in questioning AI as a cultural machine.
This was also the day we were introduced to the other participants. It was a remarkably diverse group, bringing together participants from countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America and, of course, Europe.
This diversity made the experience particularly enriching, as we were able to exchange different perspectives, experiences and ideas.
Lara: For me, it was a fascinating day! I especially enjoyed the lecture by Ken Arnold, director of the Medical Museum of Copenhagen, on how creativity should be employed in museum planning.
Day 3 Innovation in Practice
The third day was defined by a compelling blend of theory and practice. We explored fundamental questions: What is heritage? How can it be translated into public policy? What does it take to make a global city function, and what are the consequences for local communities? How can underused urban spaces be reimagined and given new purpose?
From discussions on the challenges of budgeting and urban planning to a guided visit to the Czartoryski Museum of Kraków, followed by a visit to the Design Pharmacy in Kraków’s Wesoła district, the day offered valuable insights into how innovation can be applied within public administration.
The guided museum visit provided an opportunity to engage more deeply with Kraków’s history and urban development.
We ended the day together at an excellent Italian restaurant, enjoying the opportunity to relax and continue our conversations over dinner. In fact, all the food provided throughout the Summer School was absolutely delicious, and we would like to express our sincere thanks to the organising and catering teams for their care and effort in making every meal such an enjoyable part of the experience.
Bianca: Visiting the Wesoła district felt like witnessing the potential of a community to come together and create public spaces by the people for the people. It was an inspiring journey into what art and culture could mean for uniting a community in shared activity and contemplation. The pure passion we felt emanating from the people and place was something unforgettable, making it all the clearer how Kraków received its reputation as a city of culture.
Day 4 Presentations and Farewells
Day 4 was a day to discover the work of our fellow participants and, already, to say our goodbyes, with the certainty that this experience would leave a lasting mark on our academic and personal journeys.
Our final day at the Europaeum was spent discussing digital art, pedagogy, and innovation with artist Joana Moll and Lluís Nacenta, leaving us with strong final thoughts and impressions.
We also must mention our second student panel, which saw three PhD and master’s students present their current projects.
A special shoutout to Oxford Fine Arts student and artist Dan Rong, Angel, who left us inspired with her pigeon art, showcasing the beautiful but also at times tragic side of these often overlooked animals.
The coordination team also informed us that, from that moment onwards, we would become part of the Europaeum Alumni Network, allowing us to remain connected to this community and to the people and institutions we had encountered throughout the Summer School.
Some journeys end when we return home. Others continue through the people we meet and the ideas we bring back with us.
Kraków, thank you, and until the next journey!
