8th Congress of Polish Africanists in Żory

03.06.2026

The 8th Congress of Polish Africanists took place in Żory from May 27-29, 2026, bringing together numerous academics from various regions of Poland. Thanks to the involvement of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria, the guest of honor was Vieira Mário Mauelele, a Mozambican writer and historian, who presented a lecture on the concept of ubuntocracy. The event provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and build relationships between scholars from Poland and African countries.

Group photo of 48 participants of the 8th Africanist Congress in Żory; some are wearing passes; almost all are smiling for the photo; in the background is the Żory Museum building; a modern glass facade; the building is two stories high; posters hang on the windows; the largest poster announces that the Żory Museum is celebrating its 25th anniversary; a smaller poster announces the 8th Africanist Congress in Żory; smaller posters displayed on the ground floor announce upcoming events; the area in front of the Museum is paved with gray cobblestones; decorative elements are paved with darker gray cubes

The Polish Society of Africanists (PTAfr) and the Żory Municipal Museum organized the three-day congress. Participants had the opportunity to engage in thematic panels on topics such as literature, political science, history, urban planning, and linguistics. The inaugural lecture, "Ubuntocracy: Literature, Political Thought, and the Ethical Imagination in Africa," was delivered by Vieira Mário Mauelele, a representative of the young generation of Mozambican intellectuals. His book "Confessions of the West. Omitted Histories. Mozambican Chronicles" was published in Polish in 2025 and translated by habilitated doctor Renata Díaz-Szmidt, president of the Polish Association for the Transnational Association of African Studies (PTAfr).

Scholars, academics, and think-tank representatives from various regions of Poland discussed current events in African politics, presented the results of their fieldwork, and discussed recent publications. Young enthusiasts of the continent spoke during a student panel.

In the following days Vieira Mário Mauelele also delivered lectures at the Jagiellonian University and the University of Warsaw thanks to the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria and the involvement of habilitated doctor Renata Díaz-Szmidt.

Scientific cooperation is an excellent tool for building good relations between nations, presenting a modern and attractive image of Poland, open to dialogue and proud of the achievements of its scientists. We congratulate all the speakers on their interesting presentations and look forward to the next edition of the congress next year.

Photos: Joanna Cyganek/Żory Municipal Museum and Joanna Kruze/ Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria

Photos (6)

Conference room; several dozen people are seated with their backs to us; photographs of African women in traditional dress hang on one wall; a screen hangs on the other wall; information is displayed on the screen quote a student political science session; moderator: Dr. Maciej Kurcz, DSc, professor unquote”.

A group of four male speakers, including Vieira Mauelele, sits behind the table. One of them is dressed in traditional white African outfit; on the table are computers and a small bottle of mineral water. In the foreground are the audience, their backs to us; behind the speakers is a large white screen.

A female speaker, dressed in traditional African outfit, sits behind a table. On the table there is a computer, with a lamp shining, illuminating an open book/notebook. In the background is a screen.

In the foreground, a group of 25 people, participants of the 8th African Congress in Żory; some participants are engaged in conversation; some are facing us, some have their backs to us; in the background, the Żory Museum building; a modern glass facade; the building is two stories high; posters hang on the windows; the largest poster announces that the Żory Museum is celebrating its 25th anniversary; A smaller poster announces the 8th Congress of Africanists in Żory; smaller posters displayed on the ground floor announce upcoming events; the area in front of the Museum is paved with gray cobblestones; decorative elements are paved with darker gray cobblestones.

Behind the table sits Vieira Mauele, a Mozambican writer in a black suit, white shirt, and patterned tie. He wears glasses. He listens to questions from the audience. Two computers stand on the table. On the right, a woman in a green dress stands with a microphone; she is moderating the event; she has long, flowing blond hair; a screen is in the background.