Photo by Wojciech Gajewski

Imagine deep vibrations and warm sounds of forest. Hear the space made by hitting wooden bars lined on the metal resonators. Predecessor of marimba is an ancient African percussion instrument balafon, but on the other hand marimba has 12 equal temperament like a piano. It’s both primeval and designish, mysthical and stylish. Let us introduce a marimba performer – Shoko Sakai. Shoko was born in Japan, she graduated from Tokyo National Fine Arts and Music University, then continued at Paderewski Music Academy in Poznan, and completed her Masters degree at Karol Lipinski Music Academy in Wroclaw. Recipient of numerous awards and prizes, Shoko is exploring the new possibilities for the marimba and sharing her knowledge with others while teaching marimba at Karol Lipinski Music Academy in Wroclaw.

Favorite TED talk? Evelyn Glennie on how to listen.

Photo by Wojciech Gajewski

Since early childhood, Joanna suspected that apart from the ordinary world there is a realm of the beauty and ideas which we can enter if we wish to – the world of stars and philosophy. The need to explore them both led her to study the stars hosting extra-solar planets discovered by the Kepler space mission, and to ‘testing’ the laws of physics in the martial arts. AT TEDxStareMiasto, making use of her scientific expertise and with the help of the Taoist philosophy, Joanna will show that the biggest can be found in the smallest, the light originates from the darkness, and that the farthest parts of the Universe can be within a hand’s reach.

Favorite TED talk? Hans Rosling on global population growth.

Photo by Wojciech Gajewski

Szymon is the young blood on Wroclaw’s Public Relations stage. He owns a PR company, and he also gives lectures on University of Wroclaw. Szymon is inspired by technology and how it changes the society, which, like himself, is always in a rush nowadays. This will also be the topic of his speech.Szymon is a person who combines perfectly his work, passion for spreading ideas and knowledge, and lifestyle.

Favourite TED Talk? J.J. Abrams’ mystery box.

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We are happy to present a Stanford graduate, a professor at the Karol Lipinski’s Music Academy in Wroclaw, a researcher and progressive thinker. Stanisław’s roots are deeply linked to computer science and music composition. Now that’s an explosive mixture! Have you ever imagined a laptop reacting like a real person? Now, have you ever imagined that on a philharmonic stage? Stanislaw is working on the great power of music in combination with science. The topic of his speech will be Artificial Intelligence in Music: a Computer Performer. Stanisław will present at TEDxStareMiasto because he cannot resist the passion knowledge brings to people’s minds.

Favourite TED Talk? Sebastian Thrun on Google’s driverless car.

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She combines the impossible: crazy passion and enthusiasm with impeccable professionalism. A fighter, a leader, a mother and a great speaker, Dorota will share the story of her project “The living library” and will challenge you to challenge your stereotypes.

“What can a Human Library do to you?” is the question Dorota will ask you after sharing her love story with the project. “I’ll share from the perspective of an organiser of Human Library in Wrocław how this method, shifting from personal to political action, turned my life upside down. And why I kind of liked it.”

She will present at TEDxStareMiasto because the Human Library is definitely an ‘idea worth spreading’ and should be known by more people, ’cause it’s just great!’

Favorite TED talk? Sugata Mitra’s new experiments in self-teaching.

Photo by Wojciech Gajewski

Attentive to details, pushing for the big picture, fact-oriented like an analyst and passionate about his views like révolutionnaire, Marek has a dream: to make his city a better place. And he’s making it happen, along with other enthusiasts and supporters. Challenging the status quo, he’s encouraging us to think of how we benefit the places we live in and whether we’re doing the smartest way we can. Challenge accepted?

Favorite TED talk: “No more boring data” by Hans Rosling.

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Miłosz seems to be living in an universe with 30-hour long days, judging by how much he gets done. Studying, running his own co-working place in Wroclaw and working as a manager for a rising music star, Miłosz also miraculously manages to keep the good mood.

Studying Corporate Identity and Public Relations, he founded his first company and became a partner in the second one at the age of 19. Cofounder of Wroclaw’ club of Toastmasters International, winner of Toastmasters National Public Speaking Championship in 2011, and the founder of OmniWave, a communication and public speaking company – Miłosz surely keeps himself busy.

“Coworking – way of working when you want it” will be Miłosz’s topic. He says he is presenting at TEDxStareMiasto because it gathers open-minded, creative and smiling people he would like to meet closer.

Favorite TED talk? Ken Robinson on schools and creativity.

Curious? It’s coming soon, but for now please enjoy a global TED talk of the day, and read through the lines of their topics.

How often do you step outside your comfort zone and face your OWN prejudices and stereotypes?

Chimamanda Adichie: The danger of a single story