Ethnobotanical Walk around the Cieszyn Campus

The ethnobotanical walk around the Cieszyn Campus was the first of the planned events in the ‘Garden of Shared Memories’ project, implemented as part of the Transform4Europe Alliance.

During the meeting, which took place on October 20, 2025, a group of students from the Faculty of Arts and Education Sciences at the University of Silesia had the opportunity to learn more about the project and gather inspiration for further activities by learning about examples of the most interesting community gardens in Poland and around the world.

An important part of the meeting was an ethnobotanical walk around the campus, led by Witold Szwedkowski (Miejska Partyzantka Ogrodnicza) and Anna Jach-Falkiewicz (Zielone Konsorcjum).  The participants took a closer look at the plants in their immediate surroundings and discussed native and invasive species, biodiversity, climate change, and its consequences. They also considered where on campus to establish a community garden.

The ‘Garden of Shared Memories’ project involves the creation, through a participatory process, of a community garden on the Cieszyn Campus, referring to the local natural and cultural heritage. It will be a meeting place ‘on the border’ – between countries, nature and culture, the university and the local community. The garden will feature plant species traditional to Cieszyn Silesia, which have nutritional, medicinal, and symbolic value. The site will also showcase the artistic work of WSNE students.

Information about the ‘Garden of Shared Memories’ project at https://us.edu.pl/wydzial/wsne/2025/10/02/projekt-garden-of-shared-memories/