Agata Wąsowska-Pawlik at the 2nd Forum on Cultural Patronage. Capital of Culture

Organised by Ossolineum and National Centre for Culture, the forum took place in the former University Library and provided an opportunity to discuss the state of public and non-public cultural institutions, new models of patronage, legal frameworks for private funding of culture, the role of local government and responsibility for cultural heritage and its future. In Wrocław, the European Capital of Culture 2016, people from the worlds of culture, business and politics came together, as well as fundraisers and representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Numerous lectures, discussions, consultations and workshops were organised.

On the first day of the 2nd Forum on Cultural Patronage. Capital of Culture, an inaugural lecture entitled “The Ossoliński Gene” was delivered to participants, and a report on community funding for culture was launched. The 2nd Forum on Cultural Patronage was one of the events marking the Year of the Ossolineum, which Wrocław City Council designated for 2026 in recognition of “the achievements of the Ossoliński National Institute, its significance for the history and present day of our city, and its contribution to the

ICC Director on responsibility for cultural heritage

Agata Wąsowska-Pawlik, Director of the ICC, took part in a forum where she was able to share her knowledge and experience. Among other things, she took part in a panel discussion entitled “Preserve and Pass On”, concerning private and public responsibility for cultural heritage. The panel was moderated by Beata Maciejewska, a historian, journalist and columnist. Alongside the director of the ICC, the panellists included Rafał Dutkiewicz, former mayor of Wrocław; Father Krystian Feddek, Director of the Gutenberg Bible and Diocesian Museum in Pelplin; Michał Krasucki, acting Director of the National Heritage Institute; and Michał Laszczkowski, Chairman of the Cultural Heritage Foundation.

Zdjęcie z II Forum Mecenatu Kultury. Capital of Culture, osoby uczestniczące w panelu dyskusyjnym

The ICC’s commitment to seeking new approaches in culture

Since its inception, the ICC has been actively involved in the debate on cultural management and the protection of cultural heritage. Among other initiatives, we run the postgraduate programme at the Heritage Academy, co-organised with the Krakow University of Economics. Its aim is to combine expert knowledge with a practical approach to the protection and management of cultural heritage.

We also collaborate with European and international institutions and contribute to the international discourse on cultural heritage, combining academic research with institutional practice. Our institution is an associate member of Europa Nostra. Agata Wąsowska-Pawlik is a member of the Council and the Board of Europa Nostra, whilst Prof. Jacek Purchla, the Director’s representative for academic affairs, is Vice-President of Europa Nostra and, from 2024, will also serve as Chair of the Jury for the Cultural Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards.

The event is held under the honorary patronage of Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland.
The 2nd Forum on Cultural Patronage is organised by Ossolineum / ZNiO and the National Centre for Culture.
The event is funded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and co-funded by the Municipality of Wrocław as part of the Year of Ossolineum.