The Grand Gala Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Our University

More than 1,500 guests gathered in the prestigious Moniuszko Hall of the Grand Theatre - Polish National Opera in Warsaw for this special occasion. The audience was welcomed by Professor Krzysztof Zaremba, Rector of the Warsaw University of Technology, who emphasized that the anniversary concert would allow participants to experience the University’s 200-year history from a different perspective - through the lens of music, which also plays an important role in the daily life of the University.

"Thank you all for attending our event. I am delighted to welcome representatives of the political sphere, academia, business, members of our university community, and above all, the alumni and friends of Warsaw University of Technology. (…) As a technical university, we are known for having the largest number of artistic ensembles among Polish technical universities. We regularly host the Great Music in the Small Hall concert series, and we take great pride in the activities of the Stodoła Student Club, the legendary and iconic venue that has been part of our community for over 70 years," stressed Professor Krzysztof Zaremba, WUT Rector. "The collaboration and experience we have gained in organizing artistic events have enabled us to create this concert. It is a joint effort of Warsaw University of Technology’s artistic ensembles, academic staff, the teams from Stodoła, and the club’s artistic friends."

Professor Krzysztof Zaremba, WUT Rector

Anniversary Wishes

During the event, letters containing wishes and congratulations from members of the Honorary Committee of the 200^th Anniversary Gala of the Warsaw University of Technology and the entire Jubilee Year celebrations were read aloud. These messages came from committee members who were unable to attend the event in person.

Alvin Gajadhur, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Poland, delivered greetings on behalf of President Karol Nawrocki.

"A nation that appreciates the role of engineering and technical sciences, continuous modernization, effective organization, and a sound economy gains lasting foundations for freedom and independence. This was the conviction of Stanisław Staszic, the initiator of the institution’s establishment and the author of its first curriculum, whose traditions are continued today by the Warsaw University of Technology. I believe that the core of his message remains just as relevant today. At the same time, it invites reflection on the differences between the realities of the 1820s and the world in which we live now, in 2026 - a year designated by the Polish Parliament as the Year of Stanisław Staszic," wrote President Karol Nawrocki. "Paradoxically, it is precisely now - 200 years after the foundations of the Warsaw University of Technology were laid - that truly pioneering opportunities are opening before you. This is the era of visionaries who challenge established patterns and of explorers ready to venture into previously unknown realms of knowledge and human experience."

"I am convinced that, as an academic universitas - a community of teachers and students that combines modernity with proud traditions - you are exceptionally well prepared to take on this great challenge. I have great confidence in the scientific and educational work carried out by the world-class scholars and lecturers of the Warsaw University of Technology, as well as in the talents, ambition, and energy of its students and graduates. (…) Once again, as I warmly congratulate you on this remarkable anniversary, I wish you many more decades and centuries filled with outstanding achievements," wished President of the Republic of Poland Karol Nawrocki.

On behalf of Włodzimierz Czarzasty, Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, the message was read by Dorota Olko, Member of Parliament.

"The legacy of the Warsaw University of Technology is a source of pride not only for the residents of the capital city but for the entire Polish nation. For decades, the professors and academic staff of this distinguished institution have passed on not only technical knowledge but have also fostered patriotic values and a sense of social responsibility in public service," wrote Włodzimierz Czarzasty, Marshal of the Sejm. "For two centuries, the Warsaw University of Technology has remained one of the most important pillars of Polish science and education. Within its walls, ideas have emerged - and continue to emerge - that are ahead of their time. It is a place where solutions are developed to address the most pressing challenges and expectations of the modern world. (…) I wish the entire academic community that the years ahead bring new discoveries, groundbreaking innovations, and successful projects. Above all, I wish you an enduring passion for changing the world for the better, in the spirit of Stanisław Staszic’s ideals."

Congratulations and best wishes were also sent by Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland, who was represented at the gala by Jolanta Hibner, Senator of the Republic of Poland.

"I would like to convey my highest appreciation to the entire academic community and assure you that this occasion is also a source of pride and joy for me personally. The 200^th anniversary of the University provides an opportunity not only for celebration but also for reflection on the role of science and engineering thought in building a modern state. Two centuries of the Warsaw University of Technology’s history tell the story of outstanding scientists, engineers, inventors, and community leaders. It is thanks to their achievements that the University today belongs to the group of institutions that have left a lasting mark on the history of our country," emphasized Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland. "For two centuries, the Warsaw University of Technology has demonstrated that modernity must be built upon solid foundations of truth and responsibility, but also integrity and reliability. (…) May it continue to be a place where ideas are born that contribute to Poland’s development, and where future generations of students find inspiration to shape the future with courage and vision."

A Musical Journey Through 200 Years of History

The stage of the Grand Theatre - Polish National Opera that evening belonged to artists associated with the University and the Stodoła Club. Thanks to the actors of the WUT Theatre and the WUT Entertainment Orchestra Sextet, guests were transported back to the time of Stanisław Staszic and the early beginnings of the University. Accompanied on the piano by Krzysztof Kozłowski, the WUT Song and Dance Ensemble performed two Polish national dances - the polonaise and the mazurka. The first part of the evening was complemented by a selection of interwar hits performed by the WUT Entertainment Orchestra The Engineers Band.

After a short break, the Song and Dance Ensemble returned to the stage, this time presenting mountain-inspired performances, including suites of Sądecczyzna and Lemko dances. The audience was also captivated by the next performers - the band The Dixie Fellows and Agnieszka Wilczyńska, who filled the hall with jazz sounds. The Engineers Band then guided the audience through a musical journey from the era of the Polish People’s Republic to the Third Polish Republic. Finally, the WUT Choir took the stage, performing, among others, a fragment of "Omnes Populi," a piece composed especially for the 200^th anniversary of the University by Maestro Dariusz Zimnicki.

The ceremonial evening at the Grand Theatre - Polish National Opera was hosted by Professor Andrzej Jakubiak and Krzysztof Szymański, Head of the WUT Communication and Promotion Office. The concert was organized under the supervision of the WUT Central Student Club "Stodoła" and the WUT Communication and Promotion Office.

The main sponsor of the 200^th Anniversary Gala of Warsaw University of Technology was PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna.

Actors of the WUT Theatre and the WUT Entertainment Orchestra Sextet

WUT Song and Dance Ensemble

WUT Entertainment Orchestra The Engineers Band

WUT Song and Dance Ensemble

Band The Dixie Fellows

Agnieszka Wilczyńska and the jazz band

WUT Entertainment Orchestra The Engineers Band

WUT Choir

All artists performing at the The Grand Gala