Longest Lecture Marathon - Najdłuższy Wykład Świata

Errol Muzawazi (born in Zimbabwe), a law student at Jagellonian University, gave a lecture for 121 hours on democracy in the hope to break the Guinness world record in the category “Longest Lecture Marathon”. "The Longest Lecture" was organized by the Society for African Affairs (AKON) at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow with the help of IFA students (Xolo) from the department of Dutch and South African Studies. The students were taking part in this lecture as independent observers, translators and photographers helping to document this event (9-14 December 2009).

Comments from students

"Being a part of AKON's project (The Longest Lecture) was one of the most interesting both academic and life experiences for me. Not only Errol's lecturing was interesting (for the whole 6 days and 5 nights!), but also discussions lead by him were very informative and thought-provoking. Especially due to the fact that there was always a representation of different nationalities taking part in them. This event gave me an opportunity to compare my views on different subjects with people my age from different, sometimes very exotic for me, countries (e.g. Tanzania, Tibet, Lebanon, China and Zimbabwe, of course).

As a member and one of the founders of the student's association 'Xolo' (which means "peace" in Xhosa and Zulu languages) at the Adam Mickiewicz University, I played an active role in The Longest Lecture. Xolo cooperates with AKON (the student's association from Jagiellonian University in Kraków) and that is why we offered our help in organising the event. We helped by being official witnesses of the Guinness World Record breaking, shooting videos, taking pictures and most often - keeping Errol awake by provoking discussions. All of this required constant use of the English language which was definitely one of the most beneficial aspects of our participation in The Longest Lecture."

Errol Muzawazi (and that is not just a single opinion) is a strong,ingenious and brilliant person. I've never met anyone so determined in pursuing their dreams and ambitions. The thing that he did - breaking the Guinness Record in the category of the Longest Lecture required such a strength, both physical and mental that it defies belief. This event might have been for some people just another freaky idea of some crazy man, but when taking into consideration the aims and main goals of the lecture it becomes an admirable effort worth the struggle. This experience was certainly worth every sleepless night and every hour spent in the lecture hall.

- Ania Jasiak