The inaugural conference of the project
“Digital Journey through Muskau Arch Geopark”
Report from the project opening conference – 30 september 2025
On September 29, 2025, a conference was held to launch the project “Digital journey through Muskau Arch Geopark” project, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund as part of the Poland-Saxony 2021-2027 INTERREG Cooperation Program.
The meeting took place in the office of the UNESCO Global Geopark Muskau Arch, in a historic former brickworks in Klein Kölzig in Germany. The conference was organized by the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, and TU Bergakademie Freiberg.
During the conference, the project’s objectives, the activities of the UNESCO Global Geopark and examples of tourism initiatives implemented in the municipality of Łęknica were presented. The second session was devoted to modern technologies – from the practical experiences of guides, through the use of digital twins and augmented reality, to innovative educational models in the field of mining and geotourism. The speakers’ presentations showed how tradition and innovation can complement each other, and the panel discussion emphasised the importance of cross-border cooperation for the further development of the area.
We would like to thank the speakers, panellists and all partners for the inspiring discussions and exchange of experiences!
This Saturday, we invite you to Geotop Day, organized by the Lipinki Forest District. During the event we will present our project and demonstrate how modern technologies—including augmented reality—enable the restoration of cultural and mining heritage. It will be an excellent opportunity to discover innovative solutions that bring together science, history, and education.
Below are a few photos from the conference. The full gallery is available at the link.
Presentations from the opening conference
Announcement II – 31 June 2025
Dear Sir or Madam,
We are pleased to invite you to participate in the inaugural conference of the “Digital Journey through Muskau Arch Geopark” project, which is being implemented under the INTERREG Poland–Saxony 2021–2027 Cooperation Programme.
The conference will focus on the Geoparks’ natural and cultural heritage, including the history of brown coal mining in the region, and the use of augmented reality (AR) and digital twin technologies in education and tourism. The programme will feature presentations by experts in geotourism, digital innovation, and cross-border scientific cooperation.
The project “Digital Journey through Muskau Arch Geopark” is being jointly implemented by the Wrocław University of Science and Technology, the Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF), and the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC). The project aims to create an interactive tourism offering for the Polish–Saxon border region, digitally recreating cultural and mining heritage in virtual environments, and promoting the unique values of the Muskauer Arch Geopark.
Location:
The conference will be held on 29 September 2025 at the UNESCO Global Geopark Muskauer Arch Office, Stara Cegielnia, Klein Kölzig, An der Ziegelei 1, 03159 Neiße-Malxetal, Germany.
Deadlines:
The registration form is now open and will remain available until 15 September 2025.
Registration:
The registration form is available on the project website and at this link.
Participation in the event is free of charge.
Additional information:
It is possible to reach the conference venue by public transport. The Klein Kölzig can be reached from Forst (Lausitz) by regional bus line no 851 toward Döbern The timetable is available at this link.
The conference detailed programme is attached below.
With kind regards,
The Organising Committee:
Prof. Jan Blachowski
Wrocław University of Science and Technology
Prof. Jörg Benndorf
Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg
Kersten Löwen
EVTZ
Geopark Muskauer Faltenbogen
Announcement I – 30 June 2025
Dear Sir or Madam,
We are pleased to invite you to participate in the inaugural conference of the “Digital Journey through Muskau Arch Geopark” project, which is being implemented under the INTERREG Poland–Saxony 2021–2027 Cooperation Programme.
The conference will focus on the Geoparks’ natural and cultural heritage, including the history of brown coal mining in the region, and the use of augmented reality (AR) and digital twin technologies in education and tourism. The programme will feature presentations by experts in geotourism, digital innovation, and cross-border scientific cooperation.
The project “Digital Journey through Muskau Arch Geopark” is being jointly implemented by the Wrocław University of Science and Technology (WUST), the Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF), and the Europäischer Verbund für territoriale Zusammenarbeit (EVTZ) Geopark Muskauer Faltenbogen. The project aims to create an interactive tourism offering for the Polish–Saxon border region, digitally recreating cultural and mining heritage in virtual environments, and promoting the unique values of the Muskauer Arch Geopark.
The conference will be held on 29 September 2025 at the UNESCO Global Geopark Muskauer Arch Office, Stara Cegielnia, Klein Kölzig, An der Ziegelei 1, 03159 Neiße-Malxetal, Germany.
Deadlines:
– Conference Announcement II, containing a detailed conference program, will be published by 31 July 2025,
– the registration form will be available on the project website from 15 July 2025.
Participation in the event is free of charge.
With kind regards,
The Organising Committee:
Prof. Jan Blachowski
Wrocław University of Science and Technology
Prof. Jörg Benndorf
Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg
Kersten Löwen
EVTZ
Geopark Muskauer Faltenbogen
