Horizons of Peace

In the centenary year of Gdynia, at a time of geopolitical chaos, growing uncertainty and war raging just outside the Polish border, we invite you to Horizons of Peace. It is an event that aims to build community around universal values: peace, mutual respect and human rights.

Gdynia — a city open to the world, attracting visionaries from the beginning and being a symbol of courage and modernity — will become a place of debate about peace in an era of polarization, hybrid war, hate and disinformation.

Horizons of Peace will bring together outstanding representatives from the world of literature, history and human rights activities. They will share their experiences:

Aleś Byalacki — Belarusian human rights defender, founder of the Human Rights Center “Wiasna” and winner of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. For more than four decades, it has worked for democracy, civil liberties and the rights of political prisoners.

Norman Davies is a British-Polish historian, professor emeritus at the University of London and an honorary fellow of St Antony's College at the University of Oxford. Author of fundamental works devoted to the history of Poland and Europe, including the Divine Games, Europe and the Uprising of '44.

Richard Flanagan is an Australian writer, historian and film director, winner of the Booker Prize for his novel The Paths of the North. In his work, he addresses the themes of war, memory, truth and human responsibility.

Andriy Lubka — Ukrainian poet, prose writer, essayist and translator, Vice President of PEN Ukraine. His work, translated into many languages, tells about modern Ukraine, Central and Eastern Europe and the experience of living in the shadow of war.

The meeting will be led by Katarzyna Kasia — philosopher, lecturer, publicist and commentator on public life. In his work, he combines reflection on culture and ethics with a careful analysis of contemporary social changes.

Horizons of Peace is rooted in the belief that in times of profound crisis of authority, culture, literature and language can build trust, mutual understanding and dialogue across divisions.