21 April 2026
4 pm
The Dark Side of the Night | lecture
moderator: Karolina Dziadura, A. Mickiewicz University, Poznań
Just a few decades ago, a starry sky was a natural part of the night landscape. Today, the Milky Way has become a rare sight. In this lecture, I will explain what light pollution is and how artificial lighting alters the night sky. I will discuss why a light glow forms over cities, how it affects astronomical observations, and what consequences it has for wildlife and human health. I will also show simple ways to mitigate the problem, from thoughtful lighting design to actions that each of us can take to help the night become truly dark again.
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5 pm
Mother Earth and Its Treasures | lecture
moderator: Robert Przekop, A. Mickiewicz University, Poznań
Energy drives everything: our phones, cars, cities, and economies. Today, nothing functions without it. Access to affordable energy enhances economic competitiveness and supports technological innovation. How can the world meet its ever-growing energy needs? Is it possible to balance global energy demands with care for the planet?
We invite you to a journey following raw materials—from deep within the Earth to waste. The discussion will explore energy, responsible consumption, and the true cost of our comfortable lives.
Moderator: Robert Przekop, scientist and advocate of civilizational development, engaged in social and economic dialogue on energy transformation and security. For many years, he has sought to balance resource protection and rational use with the natural drive for societal development.
During the discussion, he will welcome reflections from the audience on the film about raw materials and energy in the context of development.
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6 pm
The Dream of an Atacama Lizard | lecture
moderator: Sonia Rammer, Magdalena Abakanowicz University of the Arts Poznań
Drawing on my own artistic practice, I will take you on a journey to the driest place on Earth. In a series of video performances, donning “reptile skin”, I become a hybrid, lizard-human being exploring various areas of the Atacama Desert. The wanderings of this “lizard” provoke questions about changes in fragile biomes and the methods of exploiting the Earth’s natural resources, such as lithium. They also serve as a starting point for a discussion about the shared, uncertain fate of both human and non-human beings inhabiting the “blue planet”.
22 April 2026
10 – 11 am
Superheroes of the Planet | workshop
moderator: Karolina Nowak, Poznań University of Economics and Business
registration mandatory: warsztaty@arsenal.art.pl
The workshop takes the form of a game and interactive story, in which children assume the roles of Earth’s defenders and make collective decisions about the future of their planet. During the activities, participants solve tasks, make choices regarding the use of resources, and observe the potential consequences of different decisions for people, animals, and nature. Through storytelling, game elements, and collaborative world-building, children learn that the planet is not an inexhaustible source of resources and that its well-being depends on the responsible actions of each individual. The central idea of the session is to show that even small decisions can impact the future of the environment, and that caring for nature is an essential part of safeguarding our shared world.
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10 – 11.30 am
Daydreaming | art workshop for children
moderator: Anna Maria Brandys, Magdalena Abakanowicz University of the Arts Poznań
age group: 6-8 years
registration mandatory: warsztaty@arsenal.art.pl
The workshop held to commemorate the International Earth Day will provide an impetus for reflection on what air quality means, what smog is, and whether looking at the clouds may effect change?!
By examining the shapes and colours of clouds, we will explore whether the work of our own hands can offer a remedy for pressing environmental problems. We will also vent a little about the rush of the adult world, gently reminding it through our playful activities that sometimes very little is needed for things to be enough. What will emerge from all this? We will find out as we immerse ourselves in artistic textiles and create our own unique works.
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11 am – 1 pm
Cargo Bikes for Earth Day
moderators: Anna Fiedler, Marcin Krassowski, A. Mickiewicz University, Poznań
no prior registration necessary
A cargo bike is not only a means of transport but a lifestyle that joins care for the planet with the fun of riding. These versatile vehicles carry children, groceries, and parcels, replacing cars in the heart of the city and helping to reduce pollution, noise, and traffic congestion.
As part of this year’s Earth Day celebrations at Poznań’s Old Market Square, we invite you to explore the city from the perspective of an electric cargo bike, experiencing movement, fresh air, and joy. During the event, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about these bikes, hear about their history and uses, and, most importantly, try riding an electric cargo bike on the square.
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11 am – 1 pm
Climate Wheel of Fortune | competition for children
moderator: SKN Qualitas, Poznań University of Economics and Business
no prior registration necessary
An environmental knowledge competition for the youngest participants. By spinning a wheel, participants draw questions and tasks. The aim is to build fundamental ecological awareness through play, positive emotions, and rewards.
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12.30 – 1.30 pm
Climate Change: Extinguish the Fire or Build a Shelter? | workshop
moderator: Beata Paliwoda, Poznań University of Economics and Business
An open workshop devoted to two key approaches to climate policy: mitigation (addressing the causes of climate change, inter alia through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions) and adaptation (the adjustment of societies, economies, and cities to changes already underway). The session will present, in an accessible manner, the differences between these strategies, explain why both are necessary, and demonstrate how they may complement one another. The workshop has an introductory character and is intended for a broad audience—residents, school pupils, students, and all those interested in climate and sustainable development.
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1–2 pm
Build a Water Filter Like a Real Engineer! | workshop
moderator: Izabela Kruszelnicka, Poznan University of Technology
The water filtration workshop will primarily provide an opportunity to explore together how water purification functions in practice. Young participants will be shown why clean water is essential in everyday life and how to improve its quality.
The session will acquaint the participants with different types of filters, including mechanical and carbon filters. They will learn about various kinds of water contaminants and why their removal is important. All knowledge will be conveyed in a clear and accessible manner.
The practical component will be of particular interest. Participants will independently conduct simple experiments using an uncomplicated filtration device and will observe first-hand the process of water purification.
The workshop both conveys knowledge and stimulates curiosity. It also demonstrates that caring for the environment, and for the water used on a daily basis, can be both straightforward and accessible.
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2–3 pm
Break the Pattern in Thinking about Sustainable Nutrition: Edible Insects in Theory and Practice | workshop
moderator: Dominika Sikora, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medicine Poznań
A participatory workshop in which we will discuss why edible insects are increasingly appearing in conversations about the food of the future and sustainable development.
During the session, you will:
- learn the facts and myths about edible insects,
- explore their nutritional value and compare it with traditional sources of protein,
- examine cultural and psychological barriers,
- (for those willing) taste products containing edible insects.
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2 – 4 pm
Minerals in Nature and Culture | workshop
moderator: Małgorzata Szczepaniak, A. Mickiewicz University, Poznań
The workshop will focus on selected minerals and rock materials found in nature—both those that are common and those that have fascinated numerous cultures for thousands of years due to their beauty. If you would like to see the most popular examples (quartz, feldspar, mica), discover how the materials you know from computer games (obsidian, lapis lazuli) appear in reality, explore and touch raw materials historically used in art, or learn about those currently employed in cosmetics and modern technologies, this workshop is certainly for you.
During the session, you will engage your own senses of sight, touch, taste, and smell to explore some of Earth’s most intriguing treasures; you will handle natural glitter, sample different types of salt, and do so much more.
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4 – 5 pm
Climate Cities – How It’s Done Around the World | lecture
moderator: Anna Bernaciak, Poznań University of Economics and Business
Can cities effectively respond to the challenges of climate change? In the lecture Climate Cities – How It’s Done Around the World we will examine some of the most inspiring and innovative solutions being implemented across the globe. We will explore cities that have chosen to collaborate with nature rather than fight it. They will range from Chinese “sponge cities” that retain rainwater, through Copenhagen, which is developing green-blue infrastructure, to Singapore, which is steadily transforming into a green metropolis of the future. The lecture will demonstrate how bold decisions, creative planning, and unconventional approaches to urban space help reduce emissions, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and create more resilient, livable cities.
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5 pm
Why Does Economics Need Values? The Axiological Foundations of Ecological Economics | lecture
moderator: Karolina Nowak, Poznań University of Economics and Business
Description: The lecture is devoted to the axiological and philosophical foundations of ecological economics, focusing on the role of values in shaping contemporary economic thought. It will begin with a reflection on whether economics can remain value-neutral in the face of escalating environmental and social crises and the transgression of planetary boundaries. Discussed during the session will be such key concepts as limits to growth, intergenerational responsibility, and the value of nature; the above are foundational elements of green economics. The lecture offers an interdisciplinary invitation to debate which values should guide economic development today and how academic inquiry can contribute to more responsible models of thinking about the future.
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5 – 6 pm
Get Down to Earth! | Soil Education Workshop for Children
moderators: Joanna Morawska, Karolina Lewińska, Cezary Kaźmierowski, A. Mickiewicz University, Poznań
The workshop invites children and young people (aged 10-16 years) to discover the fascinating world of the soil under our feet, of prime importance for the life on Earth. The sessions are conducted as part of the LOESS project and introduce young participants, in an accessible and engaging way, to the diversity of soils, their importance for plants, animals, and humans, and the need for their protection.
During the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to touch, examine, and explore different types of soil, learn about the organisms that live in it, and discover how soil forms and why it is crucial for the environment and food production. They will take part in simple experiments and observations, as well as engage in the interactive LOESS educational game, which creatively demonstrates, among other things, soil biodiversity and the processes occurring beneath the surface. The application incorporates elements of augmented reality (AR), quizzes, and mini-games, allowing participants to explore the hidden world of soil.
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6–7 pm
Water Under the Microscope | Dirty Secrets and Clean Solutions | lecture
moderator: Izabela Kruszelnicka, Poznan University of Technology
An awareness-raising lecture with a debate is a fascinating journey across the world of water, a critical resource of the planet. Participants will learn where the water in our homes comes from, what happens to it after use, and the challenges currently facing water management.
The session will also cover interesting facts about water purification, pollution, and the impact of human activity on the environment. All content will be presented in an accessible manner, helping participants to better understand how the water cycle operates around us.
This lecture offers a fresh perspective on water and highlights the crucial role it plays in our daily lives.
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6 – 7 pm
What if a sandwich had a cricket inside?
moderator: Paulina Wiza-Augustyniak, Poznań University of Life Sciences
What might the food of the future look like, and what challenges await our plates in a world of climate change, growing populations, and emerging technologies? Explore various aspects of food quality, e.g. taste, safety, composition, origin, and the environmental impact of its production. Engage in a debate on alternative protein sources, such as insects, and discover how science and technology are transforming food production now and in the future.
