The Lower Silesian Science Festival is one of the largest festival popularizing sciences in Poland. Every year, from September to October, hundreds of events are organized in Wrocław and in several cities across Lower Silesia. These events are coordinated by all public universities in Wrocław:
- University of Wroclaw
- Wroclaw University of Science and Technology
- Medical University
- Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences
- Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences
- Wroclaw University of Economics and Bussiness
- The Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Art and Design
- The Karol Lipinski Academy of Music
- National Academy of Theatre Arts
- General Tadeusz Kościuszko Military University of Land Forces
- Pontifical Faculty of Theology in Wroclaw
- Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research of PAS
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy of PAS
as well as numerous non-academic organizations, including businesses, cultural and educational institutions, and municipal administrative units.
The Lower Silesian Science Festival is a popular science event that has been held annually without interruption since 1998. It currently takes place in September (main edition) and in October (outreach sessions in Legnica, Zgorzelec, Lubin, Dzierżoniów, Głogów, Jelenia Góra, Wałbrzych, Ząbkowice Śląskie, the Kłodzko Region, and Bolesławiec et al.).
In 2023, the festival was awarded the Grand Prize in the category of Science Promotion by the Polish Association for PR and Promotion of Universities “PRom” for the 26th edition of the DFN. The Lower Silesian Science Festival also received the „Science Popularizer” Grand Prize in 2019, an award given by the former Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Additionally, in 2000, the festival received: – the Grand Prize in the Science category from Nike Allianz, – the Grand Prize at the Educational Fair TARED.
The Festival program includes lectures, presentations, workshops, demonstrations, laboratory classes, exhibitions, excursions, and discussions, all prepared by scientists, science communicators, and experts striving to present the latest phenomena, scientific achievements, and development directions from various fields of science, culture, and art in an accessible manner.
The program of the Lower Silesian Science Festival annually encompasses all fundamental areas of knowledge, addressing both achievements and challenges within contemporary science. Over the years, DFN has successfully established itself as a unique bridge between the public and scientific institutions, contributing to Wrocław’s image as a regional scientific hub and a European Capital of Culture. The latest scientific achievements, complex social relations, cultural processes, pressing issues, and the history of knowledge development are the areas we aim to present in an accessible way during the festival’s meetings and events.
The success of the Lower Silesian Science Festival is the result of the collaboration and dedication of many individuals—scientists, doctoral candidates and students, DFN Office staff, as well as university and faculty coordinators. The enthusiasm of thousands of Lower Silesia residents ensures the festival enjoys significant interest and high attendance each year.