II Conference Central and Eastern Europe Chapter of the Association of Critical Heritage Studies (ACHS CEE)

On 27–29 August 2025, the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Warsaw hosted the 2nd Conference of the Central and Eastern Europe Chapter of the Association of Critical Heritage Studies (ACHS CEE).

The event gathered scholars from 14 countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Under the theme Heritage voices in and of Central and Eastern Europe: situated perspectives and their global implications, participants discussed critical approaches to heritage studies and the global significance of research conducted in our region.

During the opening ceremony, the participants were welcomed by: Vice-Rector for Research of the University of Warsaw, Prof. Zygmunt Lalak; Vice-Dean for Student Affairs of the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Dr Tomasz Mering; Prof. Dominika Oramus from the Faculty of “Artes Liberales”; and Dr hab. Hanna Schreiber, Head of the UNESCO Chair at our Faculty. The opening was moderated by Dr Monika Stobiecka from the Faculty of “Artes Liberales,” member of the UNESCO Chair team. An inspiring keynote lecture on critical approaches to the definition of “folk art” in Poland was delivered by Dr hab. Ewa Klekot (SWPS University).

The Conference programme also included guided visits to the temporary exhibitions Whitening and Two Souls of the Folk Artist at the State Ethnographic Museum in Warsaw, as well as workshops on Warsaw’s intangible heritage, where participants explored the city’s culinary traditions. Under the guidance of Chef Jarosław Szpakowski, owner of the restaurant Pyzy, Flaki Gorące, guests prepared the famous Warsaw-style dumplings once sold at the legendary Różycki Bazaar.

The event was organised by:

• Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, University of Warsaw
• Faculty of “Artes Liberales,” University of Warsaw
• UNESCO Chair on Public and Global Governance of Intangible Cultural Heritage, University of Warsaw

in cooperation with the State Ethnographic Museum in Warsaw and the Team for Intangible Cultural Heritage of Warsaw.

The Conference was co-financed by the Excellence Initiative – Research University (IDUB) programme.

This event is part of a series of activities and conferences preparing the University of Warsaw to host the global congress of the Association of Critical Heritage Studies in 2028, which will welcome around 500 scholars from around the world.