Over 40 students and employees of the Faculty, together with the dean, Prof. Andrzej Kucharski and with the vice-rector, Prof. Agnieszka Bieńkowska, took part in the 20th Guinness Guitar Record. 7676 guitarists gathered on 1 May in Wrocław's Market Square to play – the record was broken and we had our part in it!
The idea to beat the Guinness Guitar Record came from Prof. Andrzej Kucharski, dean of the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, who has been playing the guitar since the age of 15. His love for playing it began at the campfire. Many years have passed since then, but his passion has not faded His guitar is a permanent element in his office at the University, and he plays it during breaks between classes. The music coming from his office hardly surprises anyone at the Faculty.
- I have played the guitar since a while and I still enjoy it very much. I admit, sometimes I play at work to catch a breath or take a break. I know about more people like me at the Faculty. Hence the idea to invite students and employees to participate in the Guinness Guitar Record. However, the response was above my wildest expectations. I had a taste of it at the rehearsal we had organized earlier in Technopolis. Students, scientists, administration employees came and we just started playing together – says the professor.
It was already during the rehearsal, when the dean realized that not only do we have great guitarists at the Faculty, but also people who are hungry for normal contact after 2 years of the pandemic, remote work and studying from home.
– It was evident both during the rehearsal and during the actual event that we enjoy playing together and being together. It was a great integration – says the dean, adding that the group will definitely do it again next year.
The dean's dream is that the joint participation in the Guinness Guitar Record would become the Faculty's tradition.
On Sunday, just before the record, guitarists from the Faculty meet in front of the Szermierz (Swordsman) statue, who on that day is holding a guitar instead of his sword. They put on the Faculty's T-shirts and head to the Market Square for registration. The red T-shirts and the number of people bring the attention not only of passers-by, but also of the organizers, who joke that with such a team the record will be definitely beaten. Prophetic words.
Before that happens, however, Wrocław's Market Square becomes filled with guitarists. There are all kinds of guitars – from bass guitars to acoustic guitars to electric guitars and even ukuleles. It is a celebration for lovers of this instrument, but also a merry day for everyone. There are those who play brilliantly, and those who took the guitar only as a record entry ticket, as they care more about having fun in a good company. The record is eventually broken around 5 pm. The Market Square is in euphoria. The guitars are lifted up in triumph. Everyone celebrates.
Prof. Agnieszka Bieńkowska, vice-rector for education, who had joined the Faculty's team, cannot hide her satisfaction about participating in the Guinness Guitar Record.
- Dreams come true. My personal dreams, too. For years I have been planning to participate in breaking the guitar record, but there was always something in the way! Now, thanks to the Faculty, it was much easier. I am so happy – said the vice-rector. She admitted that every event during which you not only do something cool, a bit crazy and – most importantly together – is very meaningful. These clearly visible red t-shirts of the Faculty show that the spirit of the community of our University hasn't gone away, and the heart of Wrocław University of Science and Technology is beating strongly – says the professor. She adds that next year she is planning to invest a little in her equipment, as it turned out that she didn't have a single guitar strap, and she will play with the Faculty at the Market Square in Wrocław on 1 May, 2023.
In turn, Jacek Mazurkiewicz, Ph.D., deputy head of the Department of Technical Computer Science at the Faculty, took his teenage daughters to play with the Faculty. They were Beata, a graduate of the University's high school, and 16-year-old Marta.
- The initiative to take part in the guitar record as the Faulty's team is a brilliant idea! The number of people from the faculty and from the University is a clear proof. I was surprised by such a positive response: vice-rector, dean of the Faculty, vice-deans, academic teachers of various levels, administration employees, and a very respectable group of students! It was great fun. We were surprised to discover that people we have known for so long have some concealed musical skills. We played various instruments: acoustic, classical, electric, bass and ukulele guitars – it was something amazing. Plus, the organization of the project was great. The Faculty's t-shirts made us not only perfectly heard, but also perfectly visible in this group of 7676 people playing "Hey Joe" at the Market Square – said Dr. Mazurkiewicz.
According to the researcher, the event perfectly demonstrates that the employees of Wroclaw University of Science and Technology are people who not only perform important functions at the University, also but have their passions, ordinary family lives, and the a "normal everyday life".
He added that both daughters who accompanied him were delighted with the whole event. By the way, both represented the WUST's high school – so it is a very valuable "Younger Generation" of the University.
– Besides, it was not only me who came with "family support". Next year we are obligatorily coming to beat the next guitar record and I strongly encourage more people to come! – the researcher appeals.
Dr. Bogumiła Hnatkowska, vice-dean for Academic and Educational Affairs at the Faculty, who returned to playing the guitar after almost 30 years, was also pleased with the joint initiative.
– Playing the guitar is a bit like riding a bicycle. You can recall the basic principles fairly quickly. Hey Joe's chords are not very difficult. The event itself gave me a lot of joy – says the vice-dean. She declares that if a similar event is organized next year, she will be taking part in it.
Similarly, Prof. Grzegorz Mzyk from the Department of Control Systems and Mechatronics has had a great time and is going to appear next year.
– The colour of the t-shirts did its job, attracted the attention of the participants, especially when we entered the Market Square. Our faces showed that we like each other and we like our Faculty – says Prof. Mzyk.
Second-year Cybersecurity student Mateusz Sabuk noticed that if he had gone alone, he would not have had so much fun. Going out together was for him not only motivating, but also very rewarding.
– We really had a great time. I participated in this event myself for the first time and I certainly wouldn't have had so much fun if I had gone alone. The red spot that showed on the screens when the drone filmed the participants was a very satisfying image. Next year, I’m sure I’ll be taking part and certainly also as one of the group of our Faculty – says the student.
For Mateusz Sabuk, the very rehearsal in Technopolis was amazing. It gave the opportunity to meet new people from a different, often quite unexpected perspective.
Boris Komarov, a student who came to Wroclaw University of Science and Technology from Minsk, also had a great time. From his point of view, the most important thing was to get to know people who also play the guitar.
– If I pass this semester and the next one, the Faculty can certainly count on my participation in the Guinness Guitar Record next year – declares Komarov.
On the other hand, Prof. Paweł Zieliński from the Department of Fundamentals of Computer Science at the Faculty openly says that he has already participated in the Guinness Guitar Record before even though he doesn’t play the guitar.
– I really like the idea. As soon as I found out about it, I joined the Faculty's representation without much thinking. In my room at WUST, I have a guitar which I borrowed years ago from a friend from the department. I used it again to beat the record. Playing together integrates the employees and the students. As always, I had a great time. The atmosphere was great – says the professor.
He admits that he can’t really play any instrument at all, but the Guinness Guitar Record is about something else. It's important to participate and have fun.
– Plus, there volume level during the event is so high that no one can hear my version of Hey Joe anyway – the scientist laughs. He is also going to join the Faculty’s team next year.
The red t-shirt guitarists were photogenic enough to attract media attention as well.
Gallery
