Academic Conference: “Remember the Gardens…”
We are pleased to invite you to the first Interdisciplinary Academic Conference “Remember the Gardens…”, taking place in the unique setting of the Pharmacy Under the Swan in Bydgoszcz. The event will explore the multifaceted role of gardens throughout history and in the modern world – from their practical and therapeutic applications to their significance as sources of artistic inspiration and subjects of academic research. Jacek Kuśmierski, Vice Chair of the Eduard Petzold Foundation, will deliver a keynote presentation on garden and horticultural museums around the world.
Since the Neolithic Revolution, gardens have been an integral part of many cultures. The practice of creating and maintaining gardens has always been characterised by its complexity. As early as antiquity, humble household plots coexisted with marvels like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This diversity, shaped by varying cultural, economic and political contexts, has given gardens a broad spectrum of functions. Moreover, gardens remain a timeless phenomenon. Today, as in the past, they serve as sources of food and medicine, places of rest and reflection, and spaces for botanical research and recreation.
Gardens are found in both rural and urban settings. They may be privately owned or take public forms such as parks. Which of these functions predominated has always depended on the socio-historical context of the time. Their ubiquity has made gardens a subject of creativity not only for garden architects but also for theologians, botanists, writers and painters. With the development of artistic media, gardens have also become a theme explored by graphic artists, photographers and filmmakers.
This complexity and universality call for an interdisciplinary academic approach – one that bridges historical perspectives with contemporary concerns.
The aims of the conference include presenting current research within the following thematic areas:
– The history and evolution of gardening – stories of gardens and gardeners
– The development and achievements of horticultural science
– Contemporary gardening phenomena
– Horticultural therapy – traditions and future perspectives
– Garden-parks – from private estates to public spaces
– The social aspects of gardens
– Garden space – layout and design
– Horticultural plants
– Gardens in literature and the arts
Jacek Kuśmierski, Vice Chair of the Eduard Petzold Foundation, will present a lecture on the role of museums in documenting, preserving and promoting garden culture. These institutions do not only explore the history of garden art but also serve as sources of inspiration, education and reflection on the relationship between humans and nature.
The presentation will showcase a variety of museums, from the largest – such as the Museum of Chinese Gardens and Landscape Architecture in Beijing – to the smallest, like the Watering Can Museum in Gießen, Germany. It will also explore innovative exhibitions that combine advanced technology with scenographic design to create immersive experiences, including the Garden History Centre in Somerset and the German Horticultural Museum in Erfurt.
The aim of the lecture is not only to highlight the rich forms and functions of these institutions but also to reflect on their role in safeguarding green heritage for future generations. In the face of today’s ecological challenges, these museums are becoming vital guardians of horticultural legacy, integrating historical understanding with contemporary methods of preservation and presentation.