The Faculty of Asian and African Cultures, together with the Ricci Institute at Boston College (USA), extends a warm invitation to all staff and students of the faculty to the concert entitled Music and Missionaries in the Forbidden City. The event is organised as part of the Historical Legacies of Christianity in East Asia: Bridging a New Generation of Scholars and Scholarship workshop held at the University of Warsaw.

International Workshop organized by the Ricci Institute at Boston College and the Faculty of Asian and African Cultures, University of Warsaw

The Faculty of Asian and African Cultures at the University of Warsaw, in collaboration with the Ricci Institute at Boston College (USA), is organizing an international workshop for researchers from around the world studying the history of East Asia. The event will take place at the University of Warsaw from 28 to 31 October 2025 and is entitled Historical Legacies of Christianity in East Asia: Bridging a New Generation of Scholars and Scholarship.

Dear Sir or Madam,
We cordially invite you to submit proposals for articles for a collective publication: Reversing Orientalist Perspectives: Counter-visuality and Representations in the Work of Female Artists from Asia and Africa, to be released by one of the renowned academic journals or publishing houses.

Please send submissions (Title: Keywords: Abstract: Bio): kontrwizualnosc@gmail.com by December 1, 2025
Kind regards,

Marta Widy-Behiesse, Jan Rogala

About a collective publication:

The starting point for the planned collective publication is a reflection on the role of images and visuality in shaping discourses of identity, difference, and power in contemporary visual culture (Kallio-Tavin, Tavin 2018). The focus is on the representation of women from Asia and Africa, which has been perpetuated in Western visual tradition through the prism of Orientalism for centuries. Reductive and exoticizing representations – associated, among other things, with the figure of the harem – not only served to justify narratives of the alleged oppression and backwardness of “Oriental” societies, but also reinforced hierarchical arrangements between the “West” and the “Orient.” The state of research on this issue points to intense criticism of Orientalist clichés, initiated by Edward Said’s analyses and developed by feminist and postcolonial researchers (including Lila Abu-Lughod, Meyda Yeğenoğlu, and Reina Lewis). An important place in the discourse is occupied by works on the visual representation of women in art, film, and the media, emphasizing their instrumentalization as figures serving to construct Western identity. At the same time, increasing attention is being paid to the strategies of female artists from Asia and Africa who, through their artistic practices, critique imposed images, reconstruct historical and cultural narratives, and develop alternative languages of visuality. The proposed publication, “Reversing Orientalizing Gaze: Counter-visuality and Representations in the Work of Female Artists from Asia and Africa,” aims to bring together analyses devoted to this process. The idea is to show how artists from regions marked by colonial and orientalizing traditions of visualization attempt to rewrite their own histories, and how their works create a space of counter-visuality (Nicolas Mirzoeff) – a form of visual response that not only exposes the mechanisms of stereotyping, but also produces new models of representation. The monograph will facilitate an in-depth reflection on the significance of contemporary art by women from Asia and Africa as a field of struggle for visibility, emancipation, and the redefinition of cultural roles. The rationale for choosing this topic is twofold its relevance in the context of global debates on equality, identity, and the decolonization of knowledge, as well as the need to create a research platform for the analysis of artistic phenomena that have been marginalized in Western academic discourse.

Dear Colleagues,

You are warmly invited to take part in the conference. Please find the registration form below.

Formularz.docx (Registration Form)
Zaproszenie.pdf (Invitation)

On 5 September, we hosted a delegation from Musashi University (Tokyo): Mr Toshiaki Horikoshi, Director of the Office of International Relations, and Prof. Jason Hollowell, Director of the Global Education Center. The purpose of the visit was to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in academic and student exchange. Representing the University of Warsaw on behalf of the Rector were Vice-Rectors Prof. Sambor Grucza and Prof. Maciej Raś, as well as the Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, Dr hab. Agata Bareja-Starzyńska, University Professor, and Dr hab. Józef Pawłowski, Vice-Dean for Finance of the Faculty of Oriental Studies.

Representatives of Musashi University (MU) actively took part in scientific events organised by the University of Warsaw in Japan in April and July this year under the NAWA programme “Kierunek EXPO 2025.” In addition, on 30 June in Tokyo a meeting was held between Dr Katarzyna Starecka, representing the Coordination Team of the “UW at EXPO 2025” project on behalf of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, and MU President Prof. Noriyuki Takahashi, MU Vice President Prof. Takuya Niiro, as well as Prof. Yasuo Ikeda, Director of Musashi Academy. Another meeting between the MU leadership and Dr hab. Iwona Kordzińska-Nawrocka, University Professor and Head of the Department of Japanese Studies at the UW Faculty of Oriental Studies, is scheduled for 17 September in Tokyo.

The origins of Musashi Academy (Musashi Gakuen)—which comprises Musashi University as well as Musashi Senior High School and Junior High School—date back to 1922. Since its founding, it has been guided by the idea of educating individuals open to the world, capable of realising “the national ideal of bridging Eastern and Western cultures.”

The following statement was provided by Prof. Jason Hollowell:

On behalf of Musashi University, I am honored to visit the University of Warsaw to sign our new collaboration agreement. Since the founding of Musashi Gakuen over 100 years ago, we have pursued internationalization as a central mission. In this spirit, we feel both honored and delighted to conclude an agreement with the University of Warsaw, a world-class institution whose distinguished Oriental Studies program has advanced knowledge for more than a century.

Musashi University has long emphasized the importance of understanding the world as a pillar of our philosophy. This tradition continues today through our renewed focus on the liberal arts and sciences, which provide our students with the tools to think critically, communicate across cultures, and engage with global challenges. Through the promotion of student exchange, faculty collaboration, and joint initiatives, we aim to create meaningful opportunities for our communities to learn from one another. In doing so, we hope to contribute to global understanding and foster the peaceful exchange of ideas across cultures and borders.

We look forward to building a strong and lasting relationship with the University of Warsaw, grounded in shared values of academic excellence, openness, and mutual respect.

—Jason Hollowell
Professor, PhD
Director, Global Education Center
Musashi University

Prof. Hanna Rubinkowska-Anioł and Dr Nagmeldin Karamalla-Gaiballa, are developing cooperation with African Studies at Cairo University. As part of building a joint project, they visited institutions affiliated with Cairo University: the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a research centre in Aswan, and Damanhour University.

You are cordially invited to the Power, Space and Culture’II conference. Details of the event can be found in the appendices.

Program

With the opening of the World EXPO 2025 in Osaka, we are launching the ‘Polish-Japanese Partnership for Security and Sustainable Development’ project, implemented under the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) Program ‘Direct to EXPO 2025’.

On April 22nd, a delegation from the University of Warsaw, including the Vice-Rector for Research, Prof. Zygmunt Lalak, the Vice-Rector for Cooperation and Human Resources, Prof. Sambor Grucza, the Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, Prof. Agata Bareja-Starzyńska, and the Head of the Chair of Japanese Studies, Prof. Iwona Kordzińska-Nawrocka, took part in the inauguration of the Days of Polish Science and Education at the Poland Pavilion in Osaka.

On April 23rd, the Poland Pavilion hosted participants of seminars organized by NAWA in cooperation with the Faculty of Oriental Studies and the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies at UW. NAWA Day was an opportunity to present achievements to date and discuss prospects for further development of Polish-Japanese academic cooperation. It was attended by more than 20 representatives from Japanese universities, think tanks, and diplomatic circles. Poland was represented by, among others, the Vice-Minister and Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Dr. Maria Mrówczyńska; the President of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools, Rector of UAM, Prof. Bogumiła Kaniewska; the Director General of NAWA, Dr. Wojciech Karczewski; as well as delegations from AGH University of Krakow, Medical University of Gdansk, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), University of Gdansk, Jagiellonian University, Fryderyk Chopin University of Music, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, University of Silesia in Katowice, and the Foundation for the Development of the Education System.

On April 24th the UW Vice-Rector, Prof. Zygmunt Lalak, delivered a special lecture at the Faculty of Law, University of Tokyo, entitled European Universities in a Period of Global Turbulence: Navigating Challenges, Ensuring Stability. This was followed by a Polish-Japanese seminar entitled Exploring the Dimensions of Intercultural Communication held at the International Christian University (Tokyo) on April 25^th, with the participation of the UW Vice-Rector, Prof. Sambor Grucza, who gave a lecture entitled Shaping the Future. 4EU+ Alliance – an Example of a New Dimension of Academic Collaboration and Cooperation in Europe. Dean of the Faculty for Oriental Studies, Prof. Agata Bareja-Starzyńska, presented a paper on Intercultural Dialogue and Mutual Understanding as Part of Global Citizenship Education. The presentation by Japanese scholar, Prof. Iwona Kordzińska-Nawrocka,  concerned issues of cultural transfer on the example of Polish translations of Japanese literature.

The scientific meetings held in Japan by the UW delegation are an integral part of the project ‘University of Warsaw towards the Challenges of the Modern World. Polish-Japanese Partnership for Sustainable Development.’ The topics of the upcoming conferences and lectures scheduled for July 2025 will concern security in the broadest sense, sustainable development, the idea of Society 5.0, and others. These issues, which include the effects of climate change, the protection and improvement of the natural environment, as well as the problem of security and the ethical use of tools based on artificial intelligence, are closely linked to the theme of the World Exhibition EXPO 2025 Designing Future Society for Our Lives.

The ‘UW at EXPO 2025’ project is coordinated by the Faculty of Oriental Studies, which acts as a liaison between the UW interdepartmental team and Japanese universities, research institutions, and think tanks. The team consists of academics representing the humanities, social sciences, and exact sciences. A student workshop and symposium, as well as “Polish Days in Kansai,” will also be part of the event. This project has been supported by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange under the International Scientific Event at the World EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Kansai (Agreement No.BPI/OSA/2024/1/00020/DEC/01).

The Faculty of Oriental Studies is pleased to acknowledge the publication of the book “Obstacles to Democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa” written by dr. Nagmeldin Karamalla-Gaiballa. Prof. Agata Bareja-Starzyńska, Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, extends her congratulations to the author on behalf of the Faculty. This book provides a detailed analysis of the factors contributing to the difficulties faced by democratic systems in sub-Saharan Africa, with a specific emphasis on the Republic of Sudan.

This book analyses the failure factors of democratic experiences in Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on the Republic of Sudan. Through historical comparisons, it aims to further our understanding of democratic African state formation in the aftermath of colonialism, the impact of military coups on undermining democracy in sub-Saharan Africa, the formation and structuring of political parties in the region, and the failures and successes of popular revolutions in establishing good governance. To do so, the author weaves a portrait of the current state of democratic governance in Sudan and the broader sub-Saharan region by threading primary data analysis, such as expert interviews and surveyed participants of the Sudanese revolution, along with their personal reflections and observations on life lived in Sudan. Arguing that the nation is in a state of political crisis, the book posits that Sudan marks a potent example of failing democratic institutions in sub-Saharan Africa in the post-colonial era. For further information, please refer to Springer Nature Link

On February 19, 2025, His Excellency Amirsayd Agzamkhodjaev, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Poland, met with Assoc. Prof. Agata Bareja-Starzyńska, Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, along with the staff of the Department of Turkic Studies and Inner Asian Peoples and students. The meeting focused on the upcoming 43rd UNESCO General Session, scheduled to be held in November 2025 in Samarkand—often referred to as the pearl of the Silk Road and a symbol of Uzbekistan’s rich heritage. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss prospects for academic cooperation, including student projects and opportunities for collaboration with various scientific centers in Uzbekistan.