In May 2025, Warsaw’s European Picnic brought thousands of visitors to the gardens of the French and German Embassies on Jazdów Street — a celebration of the Weimar Triangle, the long-standing cooperation platform between Poland, France, and Germany. We were delighted to take part, representing the Dioscuri Centre for Structural Dynamics of Receptors and bringing a little crystallography to the public.
A European Celebration Open to All
The European Picnic, a joint initiative of the French and German Embassies, opened the embassy gardens to visitors for an evening of culture, food, and dialogue. Guests had the chance to meet diplomats and ambassadors, learn about studying in France and Germany, discover companies and institutions from both countries, and enjoy culinary specialities — from pretzels and sausages to crêpes and raclette. Live music performed by young local talents rounded off the atmosphere.
The event also reflected deeper ties: on display were symbols of German–French security cooperation, including an impressive Patriot missile launcher, drawing considerable interest from visitors of all ages.
The Dioscuri Centre Goes Public
Among the many stands and exhibits, we set up our own outreach corner under the Świat Krystalografii (World of Crystallography) banner. It was a rare opportunity to bring structural biology out of the lab and into conversation with a curious, diverse public — families, students, professionals, and everyone in between. We talked about what proteins are, why their three-dimensional structure matters, and how X-ray crystallography and free-electron lasers allow us to capture them in motion.
Hands-On Science for the Youngest
Some of the most rewarding moments of the evening came from the youngest visitors. We prepared hands-on demonstrations tailored for children, giving them a tangible feel for the world of crystals and structural science. Watching curiosity light up on their faces as they handled crystal samples and asked questions was a reminder of why science outreach matters.
A Great Day for the Team
The European Picnic was a wonderful opportunity not only for science communication but also for the team to spend an afternoon together in a very different setting than the beamline or the lab. We came away energised — by the conversations, by the enthusiasm of the public, and by the reminder that our work connects to a much wider world.
We are grateful to the organisers and to the French and German Embassies for creating such a welcoming and open event. We hope to be back.
From left: Kasia Friedlein-Wójtowicz, Ola Solecka, Ambassador Viktor Elbling, Przemek Nogly, Ania Koczurowska
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