DAYS OF ATHEISM
Days of Atheism emerged as a response to the growing clericalization of Poland, out of desire to manifest the presence of atheists in Polish society and in opposition to the violation of rights of non-believers both by law and everyday life. In the face of growing arrogance of the clergy, appropriating more and more areas of life in Poland and excluding everyone except dogmatic Catholics, in the face of imposing religion to the whole society through the Church and State alliance, we, atheists, started to look for ways to manifest our freedom from religion. It is about reaffirming legitimacy of the worldview based on scientific knowledge and secular ethics. and building an atheistic community. The figure of the philosopher Kazimierz Łyszczyński, an atheist publicly tortured and executed for atheism in 17th century, gives the lie to assertions that atheism was brought to Poland on the bayonets of the Red Army. “We, the atheists” said Kazimierz Łyszczyński three centuries ago and so we do now as his spiritual heirs, rejecting the accusation that atheists are equal to the Bolsheviks.
“Days of Atheism” are organized each spring in Warsaw by Polish atheists to commemorate the anniversary of Kazimierz Lyszczynski’s death and to reaffirm freedom of conscience. The event is a celebration of atheism, which attract a growing number of participants from Poland and from around the world.
DAYS OF ATHEISM 2023: 31 MARCH – 01 April 2023
International Conference “SCIENCE – NOT DELUSIONS”
Growing attacks of obscurantism in Poland and around the world threaten development of humanity. Therefore we consider promoting a worldview based on scientific knowledge our critical task.
This event is unique, as we are honoured to host Prof. Richard Dawkins, an evolutionary biologist who contributed to advances in the theory of evolution, a world-famous writer popularizing science and the most outstanding promoter of atheism of all time. Distinguished speakers from 16 countries across 5 continents will join us to promote the task of upholding a woldview based on scientific knowledge an secular ethics.
The conference is accompanied by the “Art beyond borders” exhibition and the Atheist Book Fair.
ATHEIST GALA DINNER 2023
One of the key events of “Atheist Days” is the Gala Dinner with the Atheist of the Year Award Ceremony. Among the winners of this Prize there are renown atheists like Maryam Namazie from Iran/GB) and Sanal Edamaruku from India/Finland (2014), Waleed el-Husseini from Palestine/France (2015), Mario Ramadan from Lebanon (2016), Michael Nugent from Ireland and Fauzia Ilyas from Pakistan/Netherlands (2017), David Silverman from USA and Tunisian Freethinkers (2018), Freedom from Religion Foundation from USA and Armin Navabi from Canada (2019), Jean-Luc Romero from France (2020).
The Atheist Gala Dinner 2023 with the Awards Ceremony will take place on Saturday, 01 April, after the Conference. It will be unique event too. In 2023, unlike in previous years, we will host not only the winners of the Atheist of the Year Award 2023 but also a very special guest nominated for the very special Prize!
Simultaneous interpretation in English will be provided to all parts of program.
EXHIBITION “ART ACROSS BORDERS”
We are pleased to welcome you to the ART ACROSS BORDERS exhibition which accompany the Atheist Days 2023 event organized by Kazimierz Łyszczyński Foundation. The exhibition title is taken from the project “HUMANISTS ACROSS BORDERS” initiated by Foundation to help people fleeing the war in Ukraine. We believe that a special place belongs here to artists from Ukraine who, like millions of Ukrainian war refugees, had to cross yet another border, this of their country.
ATHEIST BOOK FAIR
Our conference will host many great atheist authors with the incomparable Richard Dawkins at the forefront. At the Fair, you will have an opportunity to buy almost all his books published in Poland (CIS stand) and get the author’s autograph!
Among our panelists there will be many distinguished authors, including Tomasz Witkowski, Dan Barker, Stanisław Obirek, Łukasz Polowczyk, Jan Hartman, Rafał Betlejewski, Lech Mazurek, Anna Zawadzka, Paweł Borecki, Krzysztof Dołowy, David Rand, Anjuli Pandavar, Piotr Szumlewicz. They also will sell and sign their books! In addition, at the stands of CIS and STAPIS publishing houses, there will be available books by other atheist authors.
REGISTRATION 45 euro – free entry to the Conference and/or 45 euro for the Gala Dinner. Accommodation not included.
Register now by sending e-mail to: biuro@lyszczynski.com.pl (you will receive further instructions)
Phone: +48 501518757
About KAZIMIERZ LYSZCZYNSKI
Kazimierz Lyszczynski also known as Casimir Liszinski (1643 – 1689) – Polish philosopher, who was accused, tried, and cruelly executed for atheism. In the treatise “De non existentia Dei” he asserted that God, being “a creation of a Man”, does not exist and that “Religion was constituted by people without religion” with the aim of oppressing simple people.
Kazimierz Lyszczynski was the most eminent Polish mind of 17th century, a man far ahead of his time. Yet, he is forgotten in Poland and totally unknown abroad. It’s a high time to render him a historical justice and let him join the greatest thinkers of his epoch such as Giulio Cesare Vanini or Giordano Bruno.
ABOUT US
Our Foundation is named after Kazimierz Lyszczynski. We see ourselves as his intellectual heirs who promote:
- atheistic worldview based on rational reason, scientific evidence, and secular ethics,
- freedoms of thought, expression and conscience, incl. in media, science, and art,
- secular state, especially secular education,
- growth and cooperation of atheist communities in Poland and worldwide.
We organize: International Days of Atheism in Warsaw (end March), Spring, Summer and Autumn Atheists Gatherings, Atheists Picnic (May), campaigns Right to Die, Stop Church Sexual Abuse (Baby Shoes Remember Poland), Homophobia kills, Humanists across borders for Ukraine.
Our site:
https://lyszczynski.com.pl/
SUPPORT US
Kazimierz Lyszczynski Foundation is an independent organization financed through voluntary work and donations. We don’t receive any state grants or subventions.
You can help us making a payment:
Fundacja im. Kazimierza Łyszczyńskiego,
IBAN:PL 25 1750 0012 0000 0000 2355 0865, BIC: RCBWPLPW (PLN)
IBAN PL 79 1600 1462 1079 6531 2000 0001, BIC: RCBWPLPW (Euro)
Payment title: Donation (or Atheist Days 2023)