Student Radio Żak of the Lodz University of Technology

Student Radio “Żak” of the Lodz University of Technology, established on May 18, 1959, is the oldest licensed academic radio station in Poland, broadcasting on FM and online. The station is located within the university’s academic campus and operates entirely on a volunteer basis, making it completely advertisement-free. As a member of the Polish Academic Radio Stations group, “Żak” has from its very beginnings promoted alternative music, spanning various genres including Britpop, indie rock, folk, reggae, punk rock, as well as public affairs programs aimed at young audiences. The radio also organizes concerts and artistic events, most notably the nationwide Student Tourist Song Festival “Yapa” and the “Żak Festival.” Its archive, known as the “taśmoteka” (tape library), is one of the largest collections of student and tourist songs in Poland. The history of the station is rich: starting as a small campus radio network, it gained popularity in the 1960s within the academic community. The 1970s marked its golden age, with a record number of contributors. Regular programming included news and live concerts, playing a significant role in the cultural life of students. During martial law, the station became an information hub, and after 1989, it navigated political changes while maintaining its non-commercial ethos. In 1996, “Żak” began broadcasting on the frequency 88.8 MHz, and in 2005, it transitioned to a 24/7 format. An interesting fact is that thanks to its deep involvement in student culture, the station has earned the informal title of a “cultural enclave.” Those responsible for its programming have often been recipients of numerous awards in national radio competitions.