Being for Others / Bonhoeffer Days: Living Faith in Action
This year, the 11th Festival of Protestant Culture, linked Wrocław and Berlin — two cities central to the life and faith of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The theme, “Being for Others,” echoed Bonhoeffer’s belief that faith is not just something we hold, but something we live — through courage, humility, and care for others.
The Festival brought together churches, universities, and local communities from across Europe and beyond. It included an international conference on “(Un)Certainty: God and Human Existence,” co-organized with the Pontifical Faculty of Theology and the University of Wrocław, featuring speakers from Poland, Germany, Egypt, Italy, and the U.S. — all exploring how faith can guide us through today’s uncertainties.
A highlight of the week was the Bonhoeffer Gala in Wrocław’s historic Town Hall, where EWST presented the first Dietrich Bonhoeffer Award “Being for Others.” The main award went to Sister Małgorzata Chmielewska, whose community serves the poor and homeless in Poland. The Honorary Award recognized Janusz Witt, known for his lifelong work in building understanding between Polish and German Christians.
The Festival had a deeply ecumenical spirit. Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, and Jewish communities joined together in worship, music, and conversation — a living reminder that faith can unite even in divided times. Events like the Four Faiths Walking Concert and student discussions on Bonhoeffer’s ideas gave space for honest reflection and hope.
Through the Festival, we showed what it stands for: connecting faith with real life, building bridges across traditions, and encouraging believers to live their convictions through service.
In a world often marked by fear and division, this gathering was a simple but powerful witness — that genuine faith moves us to love our neighbor, seek peace, and live, as Bonhoeffer taught, with others and for others.
SEE PHOTOS FROM THE FESTIVAL
PROGRAM OF 11th FKP
Most events were free and open to the public.
Friday, 24 October 2025
14:42 Bonhoeffertage — Courage and Resistance
A special Culture Train journey dedicated to Dietrich Bonhoeffer — connecting Berlin and Wrocław through art, dialogue, and memory.
Start: Berlin-Lichtenberg Station, Weitlingstraße 22, Berlin
Tickets: Kulturzug / Cultural Train (DB): https:/
16:00 Dialogue Workshops: Walking Tour of the District of Mutual Respect
Discover the District of Mutual Respect — a unique space where four faith traditions coexist side by side.
Start: Pauline Fathers’ Church of St Anthony, 30 Św. Antoniego St., Wrocław
Prepared by the “District of Mutual Respect of the Four Denominations” Foundation.
Saturday, 25 October 2025
14:00 Relics of Wrocław’s Reformation
Thematic tour of the “Gallery of Silesian Art (16th–19th Centuries)”
Guide: Prof. Piotr Oszczanowski
National Museum in Wrocław, 5 pl. Powstańców Warszawy
Registration from 20.10.2025: +48 71 372 51 48, edukacja@mnwr.pl.
Sunday, 26 October 2025
15:30 Lecture: The Lutheran Altar of St Christopher’s Church in Wrocław (formerly in the Holy Trinity Church in Masłów) — The Quintessence of Confessional Identity and Artistic Excellence
Speaker: Prof. Piotr Oszczanowski
National Museum in Wrocław, 5 pl. Powstańców Warszawy.
Monday, 27 October 2025
09:00 (Un)Obviousness. God and Human Existence — International Academic Conference
Evangelical School of Theology (EWST), 12 św. Jadwigi St., Wrocław*
Accompanying exhibition: “Some Were Neighbours” prepared by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
18:00 “Being for Others” — Bonhoeffer Gala
The inaugural presentation of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Awards, honouring individuals who embody the courage to act for others and inspire through the example of Wrocław’s own theologian.
Music: Angelus Choir, cond. Barbara Szarejko
Old Town Hall (Rynek), Great Hall, Wrocław*.
Tuesday, 28 October 2025
18:00 Travelling Concert of the Four Denominations with Dietrich Bonhoeffer
A moving musical journey through Wrocław’s sacred spaces, inspired by the spirit of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. A concert traveling between the four houses of worship in the District of Mutual Respect, featuring sacred music from Orthodox, Catholic, Jewish, and Lutheran traditions. Dietrich Bonhoeffer will be portrayed by Bogusław Kierc.
Start: Lutheran Church of Divine Providence, 29 Kazimierza Wielkiego St., Wrocław.
Wednesday, 29 October 2025
10:00 In the Footsteps of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Guided walk for students of High School IX (closed meeting).
12:00 Rev. Dietrich Bonhoeffer from Wielka Wyspa in Wrocław
Meeting for Wrocław schools (restricted attendance)
Speakers: Prof. Jerzy Sojka (ChAT) and Rev. Karol Długosz
Lutheran Church in Sępolno, 1 ks. Brzóski St., Wrocław.
16:00 In Memory of Dietrich Bonhoeffer — open educational walk
A guided walk retracing the theologian’s presence in Wrocław and his legacy of faith and resistance.
Guide: Dr Joanna Szczepankiewicz-Battek
Start: Bonhoeffer Monument by St Elizabeth’s Garrison Church (1 św. Elżbiety St.), Wrocław.
18:00 Salon of the District of Mutual Respect: “Bonhoeffer up close” — An Evening of Recollections
Host: Dr Janusz Witt
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Wrocław, 76 Podwale St.*
Thursday, 30 October 2025
10:00 “Why Should We Care?” Bonhoeffer’s Philosophy in Today’s World — educational session at High School IX (closed meeting).
16:00 The First Generation of Reformers — open educational walk
A guided walk uncovering the figures who shaped Wrocław’s path toward the Reformation.
Guide: Anna Oryńska
Start: Polish-Catholic Cathedral of St Mary Magdalene (katedra polskokatolicka), Wrocław, 10 Szewska St.
17:00 Open Meeting of the Bonhoeffer Society
Lutheran Church of Divine Providence, Parish Hall, 29 Kazimierza Wielkiego St., Wrocław.
18:00 How Political Can Church Be?
Discussion panel (also streamed at fkp.wroclaw.pl)
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V., Politische Bildung, Klingelhöferstr. 23, 10785 Berlin.
Friday, 31 October 2025
17:00 “Staying Grounded in Turbulent Times” — Reformation Service
Ecumenical service with representatives of Wrocław’s Protestant churches.
Lutheran Church of Divine Providence, 29 Kazimierza Wielkiego St., Wrocław.
Festival fundraiser: in support of the Bread of Life Foundation.
* Registration required: fkp.wroclaw.pl