Excursion

On the 13th of September, participants will have the opportunity to explore Lodz, often referred to as the “Polish Manchester” for its 19th- and 20th-century textile industry. The city’s history has been shaped by the coexistence of four cultures—Polish, Jewish, German, and Russian—each of which has left a lasting imprint on its architecture and heritage.
During Poland’s political and economic transformation in the 1990s, Lodz faced significant challenges. The city’s once-thriving textile industry, which had been the cornerstone of its economy, largely collapsed, leading to widespread economic and social struggles. Despite these setbacks, Lodz has gradually reinvented itself.
Today, the city’s post-industrial landscape seamlessly merges with its rich multicultural past, as former factories have been transformed into museums, galleries, and creative hubs, reflecting Lodz’s ongoing cultural revival. At the core of this revitalization are the city’s 21 higher education institutions, including 6 public universities, which have played a central role in driving innovation and shaping the city’s reinvention.