On April 1, 2026, the first meeting of the Program Council of the Baltic Sea Cultural Center was held for the 2026–2029 term, to which Dr. hab. Sylwia Mrozowska, Prof. UG and Director of the Center for Research on Urban Development and Urban Planning (CZRUG), was appointed. The meeting provided an opportunity to review the institution’s activities to date and discuss directions for its future development, including in the context of cooperation with partners, such as the University of Gdańsk Center for Sustainable Development.
Photo by Martyna Niećko
The Baltic Sea Cultural Center, as a regional cultural institution, plays a significant role in promoting the heritage of Pomerania and fostering intercultural dialogue through the implementation of artistic, educational, and social projects. The year 2025 was a period of dynamic growth for the institution—the implementation of a new strategy resulted in high attendance (over 127,000 visitors) and programmatic successes, including participation in initiatives related to Poland’s presidency of the Council of the EU. The NCK also strengthened its role in integrating the cultural community in the region, including through the establishment of the “Ławica Kultury” network and the creation of the Teodora Award.
The Center for Sustainable Development works closely with the NCK. The cooperation between the two entities was formalized on May 12, 2025, with the signing of a letter of intent by the directors of both institutions—Marta Szadowiak (NCK) and Dr. Sylwia Mrozowska, Professor at the University of Gdańsk (CZRUG). This document outlined common areas of activity, including scientific research, the dissemination of knowledge, and initiatives for social integration, with a particular focus on sustainable development, social innovation, and the promotion of the region’s cultural heritage.
An example of this cooperation is the series of meetings “Multicultural Baltic – Multicultural Pomerania,” carried out in collaboration with the Migration Observatory operating within the Center for Regional Studies at the University of Gdańsk. This initiative focuses on the issue of migration as one of the key factors shaping the history and present of the Baltic Sea region.
During the Program Council meeting, NCK Director Marta Szadowiak presented appointments to new Council members, and the institution’s management presented its most important projects and current activities. A key point of the meeting was a discussion regarding the NCK’s program strategy, covering, among other things, the quality and scale of events, the institution’s identity within Gdańsk’s changing cultural landscape, and the need to intensify international cooperation in the Baltic Sea region.
During the discussions, the importance of further developing cooperation with universities, including the University of Gdańsk, was also emphasized, as was the role of initiatives such as “Pracownia Kultury” in fostering local and regional activities. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Council members unanimously approved the NCK’s activity plans for 2026, highlighting the need to further strengthen partnerships between the science and culture sectors.
Program Council of the Baltic Sea Cultural Center in Gdańsk. 3-year term (February 10, 2026 – February 9, 2029) – more information here.
- Sulisława Borowska – community organizer, personal development coach, moderator, career counselor, associated with the Kashubian People’s University for over 20 years;
- Marta Flisykowska – artist, designer, and researcher; lecturer at the Faculty of Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk and at the Polytechnic University of Valencia;
- Beata Jaworowska – Deputy Director of the Department of Culture at the Marshal’s Office of the Pomeranian Province;
- Dr. Grzegorz Jędrek – expert in cultural marketing, communication strategy, and management; editor of the wniedoczasie.pl portal;
- Tamara Kamińska – specialist in cultural diplomacy and cultural export, board member of Culture Hub Poland – the Polish Culture Center Foundation;
- Ola Karowska – director of the Center for Culture, Sports, and Tourism in Debrzno, member of the Pomeranian network of leaders “Ławica kultury”;
- Dr. hab. Sylwia Mrozowska, Professor at the University of Gdańsk – Director of the University of Gdańsk Center for Sustainable Development;
- Dr. Kazimierz Musiał – specialist in Scandinavian and Baltic studies, professor at the Institute of Scandinavian and Finnish Studies in the Faculty of Philology at the University of Gdańsk, advisor to the Council of the Baltic Sea States;
- Dr. Krzysztof Niedałtowski – chaplain to the creative community, rector of St. John’s Church;
- Marek Rogala – independent cultural animator and curator, founder of Eskaem, an initiative promoting cultural life in the Tri-City, and communications specialist at Grid Art Hub.