Restoring
Meaningful
Connections
Restoring
Meaningful
Connections
MODERN SALONNIÈRES
In a world overwhelmed by digital noise and endless distractions, finding focus and depth amidst the virtual clutter has become increasingly challenging.
Eye-to-eye interaction with another human being has become priceless.
As mother and daughter, we’ve kickstarted a casual movement that harnesses the magic of gathering to create a feeling of comfort and invite conversation about the issues that matter.
Restore human connection and create social alchemy where ordinary gatherings turn into extraordinary experiences.
One salon at a time.
What IS A SALON?
The Modern Salon Movement, thoughtfully curated by Anna and Wiktoria, is a signature intellectual experience designed to spark meaningful conversations, transformative moments, and unforgettable collaborations.
Embodying modern imperfection, the salon embraces the spontaneous and unpolished nature of human interaction to ensure that each gathering is genuinely authentic and uniquely memorable.
Our salons have demonstrated that when creative minds from diverse walks of life engage with a wide range of perspectives, they further their holistic thinking, ignite innovative ideas, and cultivate connections that drive meaningful change.
The salon is a living tapestry, weaving perspectives together into an evolving collage of insight and inspiration.
History
The concept of the salon traces its roots to the 17th century, where female hosts organized gatherings to stimulate vibrant discussions among philosophers, political thinkers, and artists. The ideas sparked by these interactions sought to drive social and cultural change, with some sources claiming that they may have even had some influence on the development of modern Western thought.
By reviving and adapting this tradition, our modern intellectual salons provide a casual environment where today’s brightest minds can discuss the simple yet profound topics that we collectively face.
Through the power of questions and gentle curiosity, we open a new window for people to share their stories and feel heard, significantly contributing to reshaping our futures.
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Our salons are held across European cities, selected for their cultural significance and the formative impact that they have had on our own lives.
our guests
We understand the importance of being challenged by perspectives from different personal, professional and generational backgrounds which is why our guest lists are intentionally diverse. Whether you are a politician, graffiti artist or marine biologist, we welcome ambitious individuals who value intellectual sparring or just a thoughtful conversation.
Prioritizing mindful relationship building, our gatherings create an environment where attendees engage with inspiring content to form friendships. It is not uncommon to observe entrepreneurs and engineers engaged in deep discussion, or actors and accountants sharing insights of how they approach different situations.
The result of these exchanges is the creation of unexpected connections and transformative collaborations that challenge the boundaries of conventional thinking.
THE VIBE
None of us are perfect, and neither are our salons, which is what makes them both beautiful and profoundly human! Our aim is to create a sense of casual alchemy – a spontaneous and organic transformation that occurs when a carefully curated group of speakers, friends and new faces come together. This informal setting allows people to slow down, be present, and be encouraged to share their ideas.
By holding salons constructed around themes relevant to contemporary challenges, we offer an intimate setting for visionaries to broaden their perspectives by delving into topics that lie outside of the conventional.
Each gathering raises a new theme, guided by carefully chosen expert speakers who spark engagement from attendees through moderated discussion.
OUR TEAM
Anna Schmidt & Wiktoria Bobińska
Hosts & Salonnieres
As mother and daughter, we have always treasured time spent together, often finding ourselves absorbed in conversations that naturally evolve into exploring the intriguing aspects of contemporary life. We have always enjoyed hosting informal intellectual gatherings at our home, and have had the privilege of attending numerous cultural salons across Europe. The types of conversations that would emerge at these gatherings have helped to shape our passions.
Now residing in different parts of Europe and traveling extensively to connect in person, our appreciation for face-to-face discussions and the ideas of others has grown even deeper.
Regardless of age or professional experience, we both share a passion for good old eye-to-eye conversation and engaging with the ideas that inspire us. Understanding dialogue as a love language, we founded the Modern Salon Movement as a platform where curious minds can partake in similarly enriching exchanges. We act as a bridge between generations, inviting emerging talents to the table and enabling their voices to be heard.
Anna Schmidt:
With almost 30 years of experience as an organizational psychologist guiding businesses through the evolving world of work, I have engaged with a wide range of challenging perspectives throughout my career and have an established background in hosting salons, primarily related to my business affairs. I love connecting the dots and acting as a catalyst who brings people together.
Wiktoria Bobińska:
My second nature is empathy, and I love to make sure that everyone feels heard. As a curious university student, a critical thinker and an attentive listener, I bring fresh insights from the generation of the future and have a strong understanding of generational differences in thinking.
Isaac Goodwin
Isaac is the Communications and Client Relations Manager for the Modern Salon Movement and sees conversation and collaboration as the primary catalysts for bringing innovative ideas to life.
With an academic background in International Relations, Isaac has organized and executed various projects at the British Embassy in The Hague. Alongside other experience in event management, he has worked as a journalist and translator for a news site in Rio de Janeiro, deepening his appreciation for diverse perspectives and their role in shaping insightful, meaningful dialogue.
Through his work at the Modern Salon Movement, Isaac has observed the transformative power of salons to cultivate community, inspire creativity and ignite innovative thought.
Frank Pagano
Salonnière
Frank Pagano is a Senior Partner at JAKALA (a MarTech company), an advisor and shareholder for several start-ups – such as Tokenance and Circular – and a contributor for Il Sole 24 Ore, CEO World Magazine, and many other e-magazines. Frank is an expert in Blockchain and AI, besides covering topics related to cultural change and leadership. He’s passionate about Italian food and theatre as his personal “excuses” to learn, share experiences and, ultimately, have fun. Even though he’s a tech “bull” and optimist, he loves to work with humans as, above all, he’s in love with humanity.
Michał Celeda
Salonnière
At the heart of Michał Celeda’s work as an experienced journalist and voice-over artist is a passion for people and storytelling – two elements that also lie at the core of the salon. This makes him a natural facilitator, someone who can effortlessly bring diverse voices together to create conversation. Michał is also a certified mental trainer, international business mentor, and the co-creator and host of the World Class Speakers Academy, where he collaborates with top experts to inspire and empower future leaders. With this wide breadth of experience and knack for getting people talking, Michał is perfectly suited as a Salonnière.
Let’S SALON!
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