When May is in full bloom, and the summer exam session is just around the corner, it is time for the student celebration. The Syrenka Stadium transforms into a vibrant festival town pulsing with music and great fun.
Varsonalia is organized by student governments. The initiative grows every year, and this time students from the following universities celebrated together: PW, WUM, ATA, SGH, APS, WAT, USWPS, PJATK, ALK, and UŁa.
Students “took over” their universities
Traditionally, the student holiday begins with university authorities symbolically handing over the keys to their institutions to the students. This year, there were as many as 10 keys to be passed on.
“Today, we expect something completely different from you than we usually do: you are to have an amazing time,” said Rector Prof. Rafał Krenke, opening this year’s event together with the rectors of the other universities. “Just do not lose the key,” he added as he handed over our university’s key to a representative of the WUM Student Government.
The Rector was accompanied on stage by Prof. Marek Kuch, Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Education. Among the guests in front of the stage were, among others, Prof. Paweł Włodarski, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Dr. hab. Jacek Sieńko, Vice Dean for Student Affairs of the English Division of the Faculty of Medicine; Marta Kijach-Bloch, Chancellor of WUM; and Vice Chancellor Jarosław Prugar. They were joined by a large group from the WUM Student Government, co-organizers of Varsonalia. The WUM student booth in the Varsonalia festival town was also visited by Karolina Zioło-Pużuk, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, who was also present at the event’s opening ceremony.
Music above all
It seems everyone took Rector Rafał Krenke’s words to heart, because right after the official opening, the atmosphere heated up. The performance by Enej brought generations together, and both students and university authorities had a great time in front of the stage. This year’s concert atmosphere was a mix of energetic pop and rap with a touch of nostalgia. On Friday, alongside Enej, the lineup included Kaligo, Igo, Kuban, and Young Igi. On Saturday, the performers were Stone Sober, Provizorka, Białas, PROBL3M, Video, and Kombii.
The party, fueled by hit songs sung along by hundreds, if not thousands, of voices, lasted for many hours, so food trucks were waiting for the tired attendees outside the main concert area. There were also partner zones offering gadgets and various attractions.
Although the weather was less than ideal, the integration event of the largest student community gathering so far, bringing together students from different universities, continued late into the night. According to well-informed sources, the students considered their two-day reign a great success.
