Laboratory for Dialogue of Cultures

The Laboratory for the Dialogue of Cultures is a long-term cultural program of the Villa Decius Association carried out in the form of a comprehensive and year-round activity. The task consists of three main components:

• Literary Centre
• Platform for Intercultural Dialogue
• Krakow’s Heriatge, as space for dialogue

In the years 2023-2027, the following projects will be implemented as part of the Laboratory for the Dialogue of Cultures:

Visegrad Literary Residencies Programme – a series of scholarship stays for 8 authors per year from countries such as the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary, and a series of open meetings with the participation of resident writers addressed to the inhabitants of Krakow and the international community.

Visegrad Summer School – an international, macro-regional and local initiative, the purpose of which is to create a platform for exchange (values, views, knowledge, perspectives) between participants from the Visegrad Group countries, Central and Eastern Europe, Western Balkans and experts. The program includes: lectures, workshops, debates and discussions, as well as presentations by participants and meetings with partners.

Polish Prize of Sérgio Vieira de Mello, the High Commissioner for Human Rights – awarded annually for activities for peaceful coexistence and cooperation of societies, religions and cultures in two categories: I – Person, II – Non-governmental organization. The award is granted by the Jury, which includes high representatives of: the President of the Republic of Poland, the Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden in Poland, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the Ombudsman, the Mayor of the City of Krakow, the Consul General of the United States in Krakow , foundations supporting the activities of the Villa Decius Association in the area of human rights, the Founders of the Award and the Chairman of the Board and Director of the Villa Decius Association.

The strategic objective of the programme is the development of culture and intercultural dialogue as well as the promotion of Krakow’s cultural heritage. The actions taken are addressed to the local community, including foreigners working, learning and operating in Krakow, as well as culture and science environments on a nationwide and foreign platform. The interdisciplinary nature of the programs allows for a multi-faceted look at the role of culture in the modern world and for addressing issues related to international cultural and scientific cooperation, including management methods and sources of financing culture. The Laboratory for the Dialogue of Cultures refers to the adopted Program for the Development of Culture in Kraków until 2030. It is a long-term activity, serving the development of culture and art and improving the cultural competence of the society, as well as systematically increasing the number of recipients using the cultural offer of Krakow. It is also an important tool of cultural diplomacy serving the national and international promotion of the cultural heritage and the contemporary potential of the City.

The project is financed by the City of Krakow.