Solemn Jubilee of Professor Leszek Garlicki

On 17 September 2026, a jubilee ceremony for Professor Leszek Garlicki – an eminent representative of Polish constitutional law scholarship, a long-serving academic lecturer at the University of Warsaw, a judge of the Constitutional Tribunal, and a former judge of the European Court of Human Rights – took place in the Ballroom of the Tyszkiewicz-Potocki Palace. The central point of the gathering was the presentation of the Jubilee Book to the Jubilarian, prepared as an expression of appreciation for his impressive academic achievements, public activity, and the influence he has exerted on successive generations of lawyers.

The ceremony was organised by the Dean of the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Warsaw, dr hab. Sławomir Żółtek, prof. UW, and the Head of the Department of Constitutional Law, prof. dr hab. Marek Zubik. The event was attended by representatives of the academic community, friends and colleagues of the Professor, as well as individuals associated with the institutions where the Jubilarian conducted his scholarly, judicial, and organisational activities. The meeting commenced with an academic musical accompaniment. The Academic Choir of the University of Warsaw performed "Gaudeamus igitur". This traditional academic anthem lent a solemn character to the event, while also recalling Professor Leszek Garlicki's long-standing association with the University of Warsaw – the place of his scientific, didactic, and educational work.

The participants of the ceremony were welcomed by prof. dr hab. Marek Zubik and dr hab. Sławomir Żółtek, prof. UW. In their opening speeches, they emphasised the Jubilarian's unique position in Polish and European legal scholarship, the significance of his works for the development of constitutional law and human rights protection, as well as the role he played as a teacher, mentor, and partner in academic debates. Attention was also drawn to the extraordinary combination in the Professor's activities of profound academic reflection with practical experience gained in the most important institutions of justice. Dr Marta Derlatka presented the Jubilarian's biography and scholarly achievements. She recalled the most important stages of his career, his scholarly, didactic, and judicial activities, and his publications, which have permanently entered the canon of Polish legal literature. Her speech highlighted the broad scope of the Professor's interests – encompassing primarily constitutional law, systemic issues, constitutional judiciary, and the European system of human rights protection. The Jubilarian's achievements were presented not only as a testament to a consistently developing academic career but also as an important point of reference for contemporary debate on the state, the Constitution, and individual rights.

A special part of the jubilee consisted of personal reminiscences from the Professor's friends and colleagues. These allowed for a multifaceted view of the Jubilarian and brought back less formal, yet extremely important, dimensions of his professional and personal journey.

Prof. dr hab. Marek Wierzbowski spoke about his university days. His speech evoked the beginnings of Professor Leszek Garlicki's academic path and the atmosphere of the environment in which his scholarly interests were formed. It was also a story about the University as a community of people united by the pursuit of knowledge, discussion, and responsibility for educating successive generations of lawyers.

Subsequently, prof. dr hab. Małgorzata Gersdorf shared reminiscences from the Żoliborz period. The personal nature of her speech revealed the Jubilarian not only as an outstanding lawyer and author of fundamental works but also as a person endowed with a sense of humour, kindness, and the ability to build lasting relationships. These memories introduced a particularly warm tone to the ceremony.

Prof. dr hab. Andrzej Szmyt discussed the Professor's period of activity in the Polskie Towarzystwo Prawa Konstytucyjnego and his connections with "Przegląd Sejmowy". His speech recalled the Jubilarian's contribution to the development and integration of the community of constitutionalists, the creation of a space for in-depth scholarly debate, and the setting of high standards for research and publication work. His openness to discussion and readiness to support younger researchers were also emphasised.

Prof. dr hab. Janusz Trzciński, on the other hand, spoke about the period of his work at the Tribunal. The perspective presented allowed for a recollection of Professor Leszek Garlicki's activity as a judge and the significance of his knowledge, experience, and independence of thought for the development of constitutional jurisprudence. The reminiscences concerned both momentous legal issues and the daily collaboration of individuals who bore particular responsibility for the protection of the Constitution and individual rights.

These four presentations created a multifaceted portrait of the Jubilarian: a scholar and academic teacher, a constitutionalist participating in the most important systemic debates, a judge with international experience, and at the same time a friend and colleague. The reminiscences combined reflection on the significance of the Professor's achievements with personal anecdotes, ensuring that the ceremony maintained both a solemn and cordial character.

The next item on the programme was once again a musical accompaniment performed by the Academic Choir of the University of Warsaw. "Ode to Joy" and the traditional "Plurimos annos!" became a musical expression of congratulations and best wishes for the Professor. The shared celebration showed that the jubilee was not only an opportunity to summarise an impressive career but also to express gratitude for the Jubilarian's presence in the life of the University and the entire legal community.

The most important ceremonial moment of the meeting was the presentation of the Jubilee Book to Professor Leszek Garlicki. This was done by prof. dr hab. Marek Zubik, dr Marta Derlatka, and dr Monika Kłopotek. The publication is a testament to the authors' respect for the Jubilarian and his achievements, and at the same time confirms how broad remains the circle of individuals and academic communities influenced by his work. The book was published courtesy of and with the kind support of Wolters Kluwer Polska.

After the presentation of the Book, Professor Leszek Garlicki addressed the audience. The Jubilarian's speech was an important and personal culmination of the official part of the event. The Professor thanked the organisers, the authors and editors of the Book, the participants of the ceremony, and all those with whom he had collaborated over the years at the University and beyond. His words completed the picture of his scholarly journey, the essence of which was not only achievements and positions held but, above all, encounters with people, collaborative work, and intellectual exchange.

After the official part concluded, a jubilee lunch was held. It provided an opportunity for further conversations, offering congratulations, and sharing memories. The meeting proceeded in an atmosphere of cordiality, respect, and joy of shared celebration.

The Jubilee of Professor Leszek Garlicki became not only a solemn summary of exceptional achievements but also a gathering of a community shaped by his thought, activity, and personality. It was an expression of gratitude to a scholar who, for decades, co-created Polish constitutional law scholarship, participated in the development of European standards for human rights protection, and remains an authority for many generations of lawyers.