On 23 August 2025, a ceremony was held in Balice to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the National Research Institute of Animal Production. Over 300 participants attended the jubilee, including local residents, invited guests, and representatives of cooperating institutions and organizations. The event attracted a great deal of interest and became an important part of the anniversary celebrations.
The celebrations were held under the honorary patronage of:
- Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Stefan Krajewski,
- Governor of Małopolska Province, Dr Krzysztof Jan Klęczar,
- Mayor of Kraków, Dr Aleksander Miszalski,
- Mayor of Zabierzów, Dorota Kęsek.
Media patronage for the event was provided by Radio Kraków, TVP3 Kraków, Gazeta Krakowska, and the Krakow.pl portal.
The event was sponsored by: INWESTROL IZ Sp. z o.o., Polskie Mięso i Wędliny Łukosz sp. z o.o., the Agency for Restructuring and Modernization of Agriculture, and Małopolska Hodowla Roślin Sp. z o.o. in Kraków.
The official part took place in front of the Radziwiłł Palace. Guests were welcomed by the Director of the National Research Institute of Animal Production, Tomasz Jacek, PhD Eng., who in his speech recalled the 75-year history and achievements of the Institute, emphasizing its role in the development of Polish agriculture, animal breeding, and the protection of native animal breeds.
Among the guests of honour were:
- Deputy Director of the Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Medicine at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development – Justyna Ślusarczyk,
- Director General of the Provincial Office in Kraków – Lucyna Gajda,
- Rector of the University of Agriculture in Krakow – Prof. Sylwester Tabor, PhD Eng.,
as well as representatives of ministries, provincial authorities, county authorities, commune heads, directors of research institutes, universities, uniformed services, and partners and sponsors of the event.
The ceremony was graced by speeches from invited guests and congratulatory letters, including one from Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
A symbolic moment was the planting of a Memorial Oak by the Director of the National Research Institute of Animal Production, the Director General of the Provincial Office in Kraków, Lucyna Gajda, and the former Director of the Institute, Prof. Eugeniusz Herbut. This oak will be a lasting sign of the anniversary and a symbol of the continuity of the Institute’s mission.
The artistic part of the event featured a concert by the band Wawele, followed by a performance by the band Latające Talerze.
During the outdoor part of the ceremony, guests were greeted by numerous exhibitor stands, including:
- the Krakow Kennel Club,
- the National Institute of Rural Culture and Heritage (NIKiDW),
- the Agricultural Social Insurance Fund (KRUS),
- the Agency for Restructuring and Modernization of Agriculture (ARiMR),
- the Małopolska Agricultural Advisory Center (MODR),
- Trzy Doliny Apiary,
- Stanisław Maśląg – “Kocham Moje Pszczoły”,
- Beekeeper Academy,
- Marcińczak Manufacture,
- Andrzej Lassak – “Sery u Andrzeja”,
- Rural Women’s Clubs from Nielepice, Kobylany, and Szczyglice.
Participants had the opportunity to taste local products, learn about the offerings of agricultural institutions and organizations, and view handicrafts. Animations, competitions, and games were prepared for children.
Thematic workshops were very popular. Participants could make their own cheese and butter under the guidance of Andrzej Lassak from “Cheeses at Andrzej’s”, prepare beeswax candles with the Beekeeper Academy, and make soap with mare’s milk under the guidance of Katarzyna Marcińczak from Manufaktura Marcińczak. The event also featured the premiere of Andrzej Lassak’s cheeses made from native breeds’ milk, which were very well received.
The joint anniversary celebrations confirmed that the Institute is not only a research and scientific centre, but also an important part of the local community, supporting the development of rural areas and agriculture, and caring for the preservation of traditions and biodiversity. The 75th anniversary reminded us that the past, present, and future of the Institute form a coherent whole, based on the values, knowledge, and commitment of the people who make it up.
