4th Kuyavian-Pomeranian Culture Congress

Under the theme “Maturity”

For us, maturity means being mindful of how we work, the decisions we make, and how they affect us, other people, and our surroundings. It’s the willingness to pause, assess what works for us and what needs to change, but also the willingness to take the next step.

We are dedicating this year’s Congress to precisely this perspective on culture. We want to examine day-to-day work—from how institutions and teams function, through leadership and accessibility, to regeneration, collaboration, and the sustainability of the changes we implement. The program combines presentations, discussions, best practices, and workshops from which you can draw inspiration to apply in your own work.

What can we do starting tomorrow?
This question will guide us over the course of two days.

Once again, we’re organizing the Congress collaboratively, together with people working in the cultural sector in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. This year’s theme and the direction of the program emerged from the collective work, discussions, and experiences of our community.

Together, as a working group, we developed the goals that guided us in thinking about the program’s coherence and promotional items.

MAIN OBJECTIVE – THE HEART OF THE CONGRESS

Toward maturity, courage, and agency among those working in the cultural sector through small changes in everyday life and the co-creation of responsible work models that combine purpose and commitment with a concern for the well-being of people and the environment.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES / DIRECTIONS – THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE CONGRESS

Best Practices
Sharing and exchanging experiences and initiatives that strengthen the agency, accountability, grassroots approach, courage, and maturity of those working in the cultural sector.

Knowledge
Acquiring practical knowledge through workshops and training sessions that foster a shared understanding of professionalism grounded in maturity, setting boundaries, and promoting well-being.

Tools
Providing specific tools to support the implementation of changes, evaluation, and the development of systemic recommendations—such as procedures, quality models, and standards that foster a long-term, sustainable work culture.

Reflection
Deepening reflection on one’s own work, shared responsibility, and mindful presence within the culture, as well as on setting boundaries and exercising agency in daily activities in accordance with values.

Solutions
Seeking, testing, and implementing practical “small steps” that can be started immediately to bring about qualitative changes in professional practice.

Community
Building lasting relationships based on trust, shared responsibility, courage, and dialogue, and strengthening a sense of communal commitment to the process of cultural change.

Common symbol

This year, we’re integrating the Congress even more closely with the Golden Mills—the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Cultural Animation Awards. They’re also linked by local craftsmanship—the Tyberiusz Rajs Faience Factory in Włocławek is producing both the Golden Mills and the espresso and tea cups for the Congress.

This is a deliberate choice: instead of a random trinket—a local, functional item that will last longer.

The event will be complemented by local aged cheeses—because aging is a process worth nurturing.

Let’s meet on October 21–22.
Let’s pause for a moment so we can move forward—wiser.

The Golden Mills – our celebration!
This year, the Golden Mills awards ceremony—the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Cultural Promotion Awards—will be the grand finale of our conference. On Thursday, October 22, at 5:00 p.m., we will announce the winners. Let’s show that we appreciate the daily work of our friends and colleagues—the people with whom we collaborate to shape the cultural landscape of our region. Let’s come together.
Formal attire is NOT required for the ceremony.

WHO IS THE CONGRESS FOR?

To everyone who contributes to the cultural life of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, and in particular:

• for people working in cultural institutions,
• for people working in nongovernmental organizations active in the cultural sector,
• for freelancers—that is, people working independently in the cultural sector.

REPORTS

We are committed to building a network of collaboration and meaningful relationships, so we ask that you register only those individuals who wish to participate in both days of the Congress.

We can accept a maximum of two people from any single institution or organization to participate in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Culture Congress. A third person and any additional persons will not be able to register. 
To ensure diversity among participants, if more than one person representing the same entity registers, no more than one of them may hold a managerial position.  
If there are still openings after the registration deadline (October 11, 2026), we will notify those on the waiting list about the opportunity to participate in the event.

To register, please fill out the form.
After completing the form, you will proceed to purchase a ticket.

Show us that you’re with us!

If you’d like, please share information about the Congress with your social media contacts. We’ve created a template that you can use to design your own graphics tailored for Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, available here:

The Evfluence app does not collect data, does not require registration, and does not ask for contact information. The graphics are generated directly in your browser and saved to your device.

Let’s fill social media with the conference community. And it’ll be easier for you to see who you’ll run into there in October.

FEES 

Participation in the Congress costs 50, 70, or 90 zlotys per person (the price depends on the hot lunch options selected and includes participation in all Congress events). 

After completing the registration form, a pro forma invoice for the ticket purchase can be issued upon request.

Cancellations must be submitted via email to woak@woak.pl by October 14, 2026. 

Please note! If you cancel your registration for the Congress, the fee is non-refundable.

Click on one of the images below for more details.

The Kujawsko-Pomorskie Culture Congress is held under the honorary patronage of Piotr Całbecki, Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship.

Honorary Patronage:

Media Sponsorship: