In May 18–22, 2026, our Faculty hosted the international BIP – Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme entitled “Foodscapes as a Mirror of Environment and Culture – A Journey Through Gastronomy, Environment, and Identity.”
The event brought together 20 students (including three from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń) and their academic supervisors: Prof. Donatella Privitera, Dr. Sındıja Balode-Kraujiņa, Prof. Lenka Demková, and Prof. Lenka Bobulska. The programme was coordinated by Prof. Przemysław Charzyński, PhD, DSc from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, and implemented in cooperation with partners from:
- University of Catania (Italy),
- Ege University (Turkey),
- University of Prešov (Slovakia),
- University of Latvia (Latvia).
The main objective of the programme was to analyse the influence of natural environment, cultural heritage, traditions, social transformations, and cultural identity on the development of foodscapes and foodtourism.
The workshop was opened by the Dean of the Faculty, dr. hab. Marcin Świtoniak, NCU prof. The first academic event was a lecture by Prof. Przemysław Charzyński entitled “Toruń Foodscape – not just gingerbreads.” Participants then took part in a field session “Foodscapes & Cultural Heritage of Kuyavia-Pomerania Province,” visiting Chełmno, Chrystkowo (Vistula Landscape Park), and Przy Talerzyku Vineyard.
The following days were devoted to fieldwork and GIS classes led by Dr. Marcin Sykuła. Students worked with ArcGIS Pro, analysing the spatial distribution of food establishments in Toruń. They prepared maps showing, among others, the density of gastronomic venues in the Old Town and Bydgoskie Przedmieście district, analysed accessibility using network analysis tools, and developed maps of venues with the highest ratings and the largest number of Google reviews.
On Friday, participants worked on finalising their results, followed by a closing ceremony and the awarding of certificates.
The workshop also represented another step in the internationalisation of the Faculty’s activities, strengthening teaching collaboration between partner institutions (Italy, Turkey, Slovakia, Latvia) and facilitating the exchange of experience in modern spatial analysis methods using GIS as well as studies of foodscapes in context of food tourism.
