Polish News Translated – Poznań, October 13

Editor's Note: These are courtesy translations of local news provided by the U.S. Army Garrison Poland Public Affairs team for the benefit the military community stationed here. Views or opinions are not endorsed by USAG Poland or the U.S. Army.

On Wednesday, November 11th, Poznań will celebrate the name day of arguably its most famous street for the 32nd time. This tradition, as always, will be combined with the celebration of National Independence Day. On this day, Saint Martin will receive the keys to the city from the mayor and lead a colorful procession. There will also be a Name Day Town with a croissant fair and numerous attractions. The event will be highlighted by a concert by the evening's musical star, Katarzyna Nosowska.

Saint Martin will once again receive the keys to the city gates

This year's celebrations will take place as a Name Day Village. It will encompass the central area at the intersection of Święty Marcin Street and Aleja Niepodległości, along with Adam Mickiewicz Square and the Open Courtyard in front of the Castle. The village will also span from Fredry and Kościuszki Streets to Składowa and Skośna Streets. Numerous attractions are planned for the village, with the program beginning at 11:00 AM and continuing until 9:00 PM. Traditional croissants and handicrafts will be available at the St. Martin's Fair.

The culminating moment will be at 2:00 PM. Then, on the main stage in Adam Mickiewicz Square, Saint Martin will receive the symbolic keys to the city from the Mayor of Poznań and will lead the procession. This year, 24 organizations will participate, including theater groups, school groups, sports teams, and music ensembles. The marchers will be accompanied by figures and spectacular machines.

The procession will pass along Święty Marcin Street, Aleja Niepodległości, Składowa and Towarowa Streets, and finally return to Adam Mickiewicz Square. Poznań residents will see Poznań goats, Bamberki, figures from the legend of Saint Martin, mounted uhlans, a brass band from Swarzędz, and large-scale objects, including Mother Earth and Pegasus. The Zamek Culture Center Theatre Studio, Circus Ferus, and children from the Łejery school will bring to life symbols of the city: the Warta River, Ignacy Jan Paderewski on a balcony, and workers from the HCP Plant. The Ukrainian Spring Association will present an embroidered tablecloth called "Do Good," and participants will carry flags designed by children and seniors during art workshops at Zamek Culture Center. As a finale, the Pogłosy Choir, conducted by Joanna Sykuła, will perform a piece written especially for the Saint Marcin Street name day celebration.

For the first time, the pageant will be available to watch online and on a screen in the Great Hall. The broadcast will be accompanied by commentary that will explore the themes and characters seen on screen. This will make the Poznań celebration accessible from anywhere in the world.

Święty Marcin Street will celebrate its name day with music. Just after 11:00 a.m., the band Ptaszkowie Śpiewali will take the main stage at Adam Mickiewicz Square, presenting traditional music with a family touch. A friendly clash of generations will follow. Czemoo will perform a youth rapcore performance, followed by Poznańskie Senioritki.

The second musical set will begin after the parade, with the Smolik/Kev Fox duo performing. The Poligrodzianie Folk Dance Ensemble will then present the musical and dance traditions of Greater Poland. A concert by Katarzyna Nosowska will begin at 6:00 PM, and the name day evening will conclude with DJ sets.

Workshops and performances for the whole family are planned at the Zamek Culture Center from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This is another opportunity to showcase local traditions, including Greater Poland bagpipers and Poznań dialect. In the Castle's Passageway, you can dress up as St. Martin and have your photo taken on the real imperial throne. A family-friendly outdoor game has also been prepared in the Name Day Town.

In collaboration with Poczta Polska, a stand will be set up in the Atrium where you can prepare and mail your own postcards. Name day cards will be delivered to loved ones or seniors in nursing homes. Two ticketed attractions will be available on this festive day: the exhibition "The World as a Herbarium: Nature in Art from the 17th to the 21st Century" and Polish Cinema Day at the Pałacowe Cinema.

In front of the Castle, there will be a "Charity Street," a zone for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) demonstrating how to share good deeds and inviting people to support their organizations and their joint efforts. At the Zamek stop, you can board a historic tram from the 1950s and listen to stories about the Poznań June 1956 uprising. Artistic, acrobatic, and circus performances will take place in various corners of the Town, and the Poligrodzianie Folk Dance Ensemble, among others, will perform in the Open Courtyard.

It's also worth taking a stroll along "Old Good Saint Martin," an attraction zone prepared by CK Zamek partners from the Saint Martin Coalition, stretching from Gwarna Street to Ratajczaka Street. This is a particularly tempting proposition for foodies who would like to visit the restaurants located on Saint Martin and the surrounding streets.

Accessibility, openness and concern for others

The name day celebrations of Święty Marcin Street combine the memory of independence with values ​​such as sharing goodness, caring for others, community, and openness. The slogan "Do Good," which has accompanied the name day celebrations for many years, references the legend of Saint Martin, who, as a Roman soldier, gave half of his cloak to a needy person. This gesture inspired Poznań baker Walenty to bake croissants for the poorest. This is how the St. Martin's croissant with white poppy seeds and dried fruit was created – today a protected delicacy throughout the European Union. The slogan, therefore, reminds us that caring and a willingness to act matter and influence our reality.

The Name Day Village will be organized as a mass event. This will ensure safety and accessibility for the widest possible audience. Admission will be free and will be accessible through five gates. As with large festivals, entry will be subject to security checks. Prohibited items will be stored in free deposit boxes.

The organizers will place a strong emphasis on solutions that increase the accessibility of the event. Some of the events will be translated into Polish sign language, an induction loop will be provided for the hearing impaired, and a platform for people with mobility impairments will be set up in Adam Mickiewicz Square. A quiet room will be available in the Castle, where neurodiverse people can comfortably relax away from loud noises and lights.

More information can be found and on social media. During the Saint Marcin Street Name Day celebration, two information points will be available: at the Castle and at the corner of Saint Marcin Street and Niepodległości Avenue.

The 13th Poznań Design Festival will take place from October 23rd to 29th, under the theme "Longevity." The event will be dedicated to solutions that help create a city that is comfortable to live in, conducive to relaxation, and fosters relationships, regardless of age.

The festival will begin on October 23rd at 7:00 PM at Stary Browar. The opening will include exhibition previews, which will be open daily from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM until October 29th.

This year's theme, "Longevity," will be the starting point for discussions about urban spaces that meet the needs of people of all ages. The focus will be on daily mobility, access to services, opportunities for relaxation, and conditions conducive to meetings and social interactions.

International conference on the future of cities

The "Poznań Design Talks: Futures of Longevity" conference is scheduled for October 24th. One of the guests will be David Sim, architect and author of the book Soft City, dedicated to designing people-friendly cities that foster everyday interactions.

The meeting will be an opportunity to look at how to shape space to make it easier for residents to function daily and respond to changing needs.

Workshops on a resident-friendly city

The program also included workshops on practical urban and social solutions.

One of these will be Proximity Fresk, led by Catharine Gall, director of the Paris-based research laboratory Chaire ETI, co-founded by Professor Carlos Moreno, the creator of the 15-Minute City concept. Participants will explore ideas for spaces where key places and services are close to home, and many daily errands can be completed on foot or by bike. The workshop will be held in English.

On October 26th, a meeting titled "Long-lived City" is planned. Participants will develop ideas for solutions that will facilitate everyday life and foster bonds between residents.

Student- and senior-friendly spaces

On the last day of the festival, October 29th, there will be a tour of student- and senior-friendly spaces. The meeting is scheduled for the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology at the University of Life Sciences.

The event will be an opportunity to look at solutions that meet the needs of various user groups.

Participation in Poznań Design Festival events is free. Registration is required, and space is limited.

A detailed program and registration information are available on the Poznań Design Festival 2026 website.

The 17th International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition began on Thursday, October 8th. The inaugural concert featured the distinguished South Korean cellist Tae-Yeon Kim. The following day, the 48 violinists began competing in the first stage. A maximum of half will advance to the second stage.

Taeyeon Kim's performance at the opening ceremony highlighted the event's openness to outstanding artists of the younger generation. Although the violin remains the focus of the competition, the cellist's participation allows for a broader perspective on string music.

Taeyeon Kim performed with the Poznań Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Łukasz Borowicz, performing the solo part in Camille Saint-Saëns's "Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33." The soloist's performance was preceded by Antoni Szałowski's "Overture," and after the intermission, Grażyna Bacewicz's "Symphony No. 3" was performed.

The artist played an Omobona Stradivari cello made in Cremona in 1740, courtesy of Christophe Landon Rare Violins.

The Opening Concert kicked off the two-week competition. From among 48 young talents from around the world, the jury will select the best artist of the 17th edition of the competition.

On the first day of the first-stage auditions, four Poles will perform: Wojciech Niedziółka, Zofia Anna Olesik, Bartosz Skibiński, and Jakub Staszel. Wojciech Niedziółka, who will begin the competition, is participating in the competition for the second time. During the previous, 16th edition, he was the highest-ranking Polish artist and reached the second stage.

After 4 years, the following artists are also returning to the Wieniawski Competition stage: Barbara Ewa Żołnierczyk, Maya Alexandra Kasprzak, Elias David Moncado, Zhixin Zhang and Maya Wichert, who will be heard in the following days.

Stage I is a unique showcase of the competition's patron's compositions. The half-hour recitals will be based on a selected caprice by Henryk Wieniawski, paired with his other brilliant works - from polonaises and mazurkas to fantasias. Furthermore, the artists have complete freedom to complement the program with any piece from the Baroque to the contemporary. Auditions for Stage I will continue until Monday, October 12th.

No more than 24 violinists will advance to the second stage, which begins on October 13th. In the third stage, each of the 12 participants will perform with a chamber orchestra. The jury will qualify six violinists for the semifinals, and three for the final round. The final will be the finale, a beautiful culmination of the competition. The participants will perform one of two concertos composed by Henryk Wieniawski (I in F-sharp minor, Op. 14, or II in D minor, Op. 22).

The results will be announced on the evening of October 22nd, and the winners will be recognized during a gala on October 23rd. This is also when they will perform for the first time in their new role – not as participants, but as winners of the 17th International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition.

Not everyone will be able to follow the competition at the Adam Mickiewicz University Auditorium. It will be possible to experience it through multiple broadcasts – on the official Wieniawski Society YouTube channel, with a chat available to subscribers and supporters. Violin Channel,, and also provide coverage. In traditional media, the competition will be broadcast on TVP Kultura, TVP Kultura 2, and Polish Radio Channel 2.

The latest reports and news about the event can be found.

The magic of Christmas returns to Poznań this November. The Christmas Market at the Poznań Convention Centre will begin on November 14th and run until December 20th, 2026. "For over a month, visitors will be treated to numerous stands, concerts, special events, and activities for the entire family. All in a unique, festive atmosphere," the organizers announce. Details are expected soon.

On November 20th, the Poznań Bethlehem will begin at Wolności Square, and on November 21st, the festive atmosphere will also reach the Old Market Square. "And with it... the Poznań Wheel of Dreams. Magical rides, a unique atmosphere, and views of a lit-up Poznań from above await you!" the organizers announce. " Fun fact: did you know that the Poznań Wheel of Dreams is a whopping 33 meters high and has 24 gondolas! It's a truly unique vantage point for a festive Poznań!" they add.

On Saturday, October 10th, the Poznań Sports and Recreation Centers officially open the new skating season. From that day on, you'll be able to skate on the ice rinks by the Malta Lake and in the multi-purpose Wilda Sports Hall.

Poznań residents can sharpen their skates. We're just opening two ice rinks for those who want to enjoy recreational ice skating. This is a perfect complement to the year-round sports offerings of the full-size ice rink in Chwiałka. Everyone is cordially invited," says Marcin Gołek, Deputy Mayor of Poznań.

Malta Ice Rink - Opening Hours and Ice Cleaning

The ice rink is located in a tent at the start of the Malta Regatta Course (at the intersection of Jana Pawła II and Baraniaka streets).

The Malta Ice Skating Area will be open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, the facility will be open an hour longer, until 11:00 p.m. Half-hour breaks for ice cleaning will take place at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.

In addition to the regular skating rinks, the ice rink also hosts Ice Parties during the season – entertainment with DJ music and special lighting effects. The Poznań Sports and Recreation Centers will announce the date of the first Ice Party on their social media and website.

The ice rink at the Wilda Sports Hall at ul. o. Mariana Żelazka 1a (right next to the Witalis Ludwiczak Chwiałka Ice Rink) is also starting its second season. On the first day, the facility will be open from 4:00 PM, and on subsequent days according to the regular schedule:

Ice cleaning breaks on Wilda are scheduled for: 10:30, 13:00, 15:30, 18:30.

Price list, discounts and partner cards

Ticket prices at both venues are as follows:

Both facilities offer rental skates, helmets, and penguin, teddy bear, or seal-shaped supports to help beginner skaters. Malta also has a skate sharpening service, and customers can use this service at the adjacent Chwiałka Ice Rink.

The facilities accept the Large Family Card (with the Poznań territorial code) and dedicated family tickets and passes. Holders of OK Poznań cards can take advantage of promotional admission for 1 PLN as part of the annual pool for POSiR facilities.

The full price list and regulations are available on the website of the Malta ice rink and the Wilda Sports Hall.