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Take a break, stretch, get your hands in the soil, reflect on your own resilience, help others, or set off on a journey around the world for a few hours. From 5 to 9 October, Palacký University will be hosting Fair UP for the second time – a week dedicated to caring for the body, the mind and society. Five themed days will bring lectures, workshops, consultations and other activities to students and staff at UP. Many of these will also be open to the public free of charge.
Fair UP reminds us that a good study or working environment is not created solely by what takes place in lecture theatres and offices. Equally important is looking after our physical and mental health, our relationships, a safe environment and the wider community around us. From Monday to Friday, the focus will therefore gradually shift to giving, inclusion, wellbeing, the international community and health.
Helping others and tackling serious issues
Monday’s Donorship Day will offer opportunities to help in a number of ways. There will be a children’s clothing swap, the collection of food and bedding to help abandoned, injured and endangered animals will reach its climax, and recruitment for the bone marrow donor register will also take place in the courtyard of Zbrojnice.
Later on Monday evening, the programme for the following Inclusion Day will begin. In the debate What Epstein’s writings tell us about violence, power and inclusion, Lukáš Houdek will explore topics that touch not only on the stories of others, but also on the environment and society that we ourselves create. Tuesday will then feature, for example Breakfast with Science, a meeting with the university ombudsman and the exhibition Together in Diversity.
Wellbeing in the garden
Wednesday will be Wellbeing Day. Its motto, Feel good and stay strong!, this time refers to mental wellbeing and resilience, and is also inspired by the principles of the Blue Zones – areas where people live to a ripe old age in good health. The programme will focus on daily habits, relationships, physical activity, stress management, resilience and the search for what gives life meaning.
However, rather than just theory, there will also be scope for hands-on experience – whether it’s gardening at the Václavka community garden or winter swimming. Students and staff at Palacký University can also register for the World Café on the role of universities in turbulent times The University as an Anchor of Resilience. Events worth highlighting include a lecture followed by a discussion entitled Resilience: How to Strengthen Yourself and Others, which will take place at the Regional Museum and is also open to the public.
The whole world in one place
On Thursday, the focus will shift from wellbeing to an international atmosphere. From 1 pm to 6 pm in the courtyard of Zbojnice, the International Haná Festival will offer an encounter with cultures from different corners of the world through music, dance, stalls, creative workshops and food tastings. Performers will include drummers, the Vietnamese community with their dragon dance, Irish and oriental dancers, and African drummers; the programme also features a live link-up with Haiti.
And because food is an integral part of experiencing different cultures, the university canteens will be joining in with Fair UP. Throughout the week, they will be serving more healthy dishes than usual, and on Thursday they will prepare a special international menu.
Health and Prevention to Round Off the Programme
Friday’s programme will conclude with a Health Day dedicated to prevention and a healthy lifestyle. UP staff will be able to take advantage of services such as eye tests, vascular age assessments, podiatry consultations and massages. Students and staff at UP can take part in an online workshop on ergonomics or a demonstration of proper dental hygiene.
Consultations on the correct and safe use of medicines, vitamins and dietary supplements with a clinical pharmacist from Olomouc University Hospital will be open to the public. It will also be possible to hand in expired or unwanted medicines for safe disposal.
A detailed programme for Fair UP week, including times, venues and registration information for individual activities, is available on the website upol.cz/en/fairup.