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.
More Runners Welcome: Poznań Half Marathon Increases Participant Limit
Up to 14,000 participants may show up at the start.
Poznań Sports and Recreation Centres, which are organising the 17th PKO Poznań Half Marathon, have just announced an increase in the limit of runners who will be able to take part in the event. Previously, it was 13 thousand people, and now it is one thousand more. - We made the decision to add an additional thousand starter packages after observing the dynamics of registrations. We are approaching the originally set limit, but we are ready to accept a larger number of running enthusiasts. We invite you to take advantage of this opportunity! - says the director of the Poznań Half Marathon, Łukasz Miadziołko.
The possibility of transferring the starting package to another person has also been extended. This will be possible until April 9. You can register to participate in the race until April 10. The cost is PLN 240. If there are any free places, you can register in person on April 11 and 12 at the competition office at MTP. Then the package will cost PLN 300.
The organizers do not hide the fact that such a large interest in the event may allow for breaking the record from 2016. At that time, the Poznań Half Marathon was completed by 11,347 runners. The number of people who finish the race is always lower than the number who sign up for the event. - We will be happy if we manage to improve our record result - says Łukasz Miadziołko. - However, we cannot do it without our participants. I hope that together we will achieve this goal and show that Poznań loves running.
Let us remind you that the race is scheduled for April 13.
World-Class Exhibition Arrives in Poznań After New York & Paris
Everyone can immerse themselves in the paintings of Gustav Klimt.
The exhibition "KLIMT - The Immersive Exhibition" takes place at the Poznań International Fair, specifically in Hall 1. - This unique experience combines the art of Gustav Klimt with modern technology, transporting viewers into the depths of his works. The impressive paintings of the Austrian master come to life on monumental screens, and the whole thing is complemented by atmospheric music by the outstanding Polish composer Zbigniew Preisner - explain the organizers.
The exhibition was previously presented in New York, Miami, Paris and Vienna, where it received great reviews. - The exhibition consists of several zones. The educational part allows you to delve into Klimt's biography and see faithful replicas of his paintings. Then, guests can immerse themselves in virtual reality (VR), discovering the golden era of the artist's work in 360-degree format. The highlight is the immersive space, where about 300 of Klimt's works are displayed on large-format screens and the floor, creating a stunning spectacle of light, color and sound - they add.
In Poznań, you can immerse yourself in the works of the outstanding artist until June 29. Tickets cost 65 PLN during the week and 75 PLN on weekends. Concessions are 10 PLN cheaper.
New Commander Takes Helm at Poznań's 2nd Tactical Air Wing
Last Tuesday, a ceremony took place to transfer official duties to the position of Commander of the 2nd Tactical Air Wing.
The commander of the 2nd Tactical Air Wing was Colonel Pilot Norbert Chojnacki. The previous chief, Brig. Gen. Pilot Tomasz Jantczak, was promoted to commander of the Air Force in Warsaw.
The transfer of duties was attended in large numbers by former commanders, representatives of the Wielkopolska province authorities, uniformed services of the region, employees and friends of aviation. In accordance with the Decision of the Minister of National Defence, the previous Commander of the 2nd Tactical Air Wing, Brig. Gen. Pilot Tomasz Jatczak, was sent to perform duties in the Air Force Inspectorate, and Col. Pilot Norbert Chojnacki was appointed Commander - informed the 2nd Tactical Air Wing in Poznań.
During the ceremony, the ceremony of handing over the Banner of the 2nd Tactical Air Wing took place. The protocol of transfer and assumption of duties as Commander was also signed.
Building Blocks Festival in Poznań
The Brick Festival is an event that brings together enthusiasts of building, creativity and good fun. Regardless of age, it is worth taking a peek into the world of plastic constructions, which will visit the Poznań International Fair. The festival will start on March 29 and will last until March 30.
During the event, participants will have the opportunity to let their imagination run wild and create structures together from thousands of available elements. Inspiration will be provided by huge models put together by specialists, such as the "Star Wars" world, a Viking village or a railway.
The festival will also be a chance to meet your favorite creators from the industry, such as Ciocia od Klocków (who runs the largest LEGO TikTok profile in Poland) and Stach and Wojtek (semi-finalists of the 4th edition of "LEGO Masters"). Visitors will have the opportunity to talk to them and - perhaps - challenge them. During the event, there will also be a special exhibition zone, where new products and a full portfolio of building sets for all ages will be presented.
The event will also include photography workshops led by Sandra Recka, which will allow participants to learn the secrets of photography and capture building blocks in the best light. This is a great opportunity to learn professional photography techniques and take your skills to the next level.
Tickets starting at PLN 40 are available at tobilet.pl . More information on the event website.
History of Poland with blocks
The Poznań International Fair (in hall 3A) also hosts a permanent exhibition of "Historyland" blocks. Among the huge models, you can find St. Mary's Church, the Battle of Grunwald and the Battle of Monte Cassino. The tour takes place using an interactive cockpit, allowing you to take a closer look at even the smallest details.
Tickets starting at PLN 30 are available at historylandbilety.pl . You can also buy a combined ticket for both events for PLN 64.
More information on the exhibition website .
Spanish Cinema Week Returns to Poznań
Epic dramas and captivating stories, true emotions, the return of masters and rising stars - this is the program of this year's Spanish Cinema Week. The festival will take place from March 28 to April 3 at Kino Muza.
The Spanish Cinema Week is the only event in Poland dedicated exclusively to Spanish cinematography, a celebration of cinema for viewers in love with the sun, travel and southern lifestyle. The review will open and close with films awarded with the most important statuettes of the Spanish film industry - Goya awards.
Program
This year's festival will open with "Bus 47" - a film based on the story of Manuel Vital, the driver of bus line 47, whose act of civil disobedience forever changed the face of the capital of Catalonia.
On Friday, "Agent" will also appear on the screen - a real thriller, a police film full of twists and turns and a moving story of a woman who sacrifices herself for the good of the country. It is one of the most interesting and most watched Spanish productions of the last
year, awarded the Goya for best film and best leading actress. On Wednesday, you will be able to see, among others, "Wróćcie do sobie" - a production paying tribute to the great Hollywood cinema. For fans of black humor, at the end there is a screening of "Niech blachnie" - a comedy about funny and tragic family adventures.
Tickets for a single screening are PLN 19 (discount) or PLN 22 (standard). You can buy them at Kino Muza or on the bilety24.pl website.
More information about the event can be found on the cinema's website.
Planning Your 2025 Getaway? New Destinations from Poznań Revealed!
Spring has begun, so you can plan your trip. The spring-summer flight schedule will come into effect at the end of March. From Poznań, you will be able to fly to 47 destinations on regular flights. Where exactly and will this year's destinations contribute to breaking the record next year?
2024 was the best year in the history of Ławica Airport named after Henryk Wieniawski. Over the 12 months, 3,607,819 passengers passed through it. This is over 800,000 more than in 2023. The first two months of this year show that last year's record may be broken. January and February were the best in the entire history of the airport - comparing these months with previous years. In each of them, over 200,000 passengers were checked in. The growth dynamics, compared to the same period last year, is almost 30 percent.
One new product, several returns after winter
The current schedule includes one new destination announced by Ryanair in the autumn of last year. On 31st March at 5:40 p.m. the first plane will depart from Ławica to Valencia. Flights to this one of the sunniest places in Spain will take place on Fridays and Mondays. Friday departures from Poznań are planned for 6:00 a.m. and returns from Valencia on Mondays at 9:15 p.m. Thanks to this, it will be possible to spend almost four full days there.
Another positive piece of news is the doubling of the number of flights to Amsterdam by KLM. From March 31, planes will fly to the capital of the Netherlands 14 times a week. Departures from Poznań will take place daily at 6:30 a.m.
and 2:15 p.m., while from Amsterdam at 12:10 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. and in the afternoon. The addition of flights will make it easier to transfer to other planes at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, especially intercontinental ones.
From the end of March, it will also be possible to fly to Copenhagen more often with SAS. Two flights a day in each direction will be operated from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, there will only be departures from Poznań, while on Sundays - one from Ławica and two return flights from Copenhagen. In addition to SAS, it will also be possible to fly to the capital of Denmark three times a week with Ryanair.
The schedule also includes two destinations suspended due to the tense political situation. From March 30, flights will be available once a week to Amman in Jordan. A day later, on March 31, flights to Tel Aviv are to return - twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays.
A loss compared to the previous season is the elimination of connections from Billund. Ryanair has removed all connections to the airport near Legoland from its entire network.
List of destinations with regular flights from Ławica:
- Albania: Tirana,
- Belgium: Brussels,
- Bulgaria: Burgas (from June)
- Croatia: Dubrovnik, Pula (from June), Zadar,
- Cyprus: Paphos,
- Czech Republic: Prague,
- Denmark: Copenhagen,
- France: Paris-Beauvais,
- Greece: Corfu, Thessaloniki, Chania,
- Georgia: Kutaisi,
- Spain: Alicante, Barcelona-Girona, Malaga, Palma, Valencia (new),
- Netherlands: Amsterdam,
- Israel: Tel Aviv,
- Ireland: Dublin, Cork,
- Jordan: Amman,
- Malta: Malta,
- Germany: Frankfurt, Munich,
- Norway: Oslo Torp,
- Portugal: Lisbon,
- Poland: Warsaw,
- Sweden: Stockholm,
- Italy: Bari, Milan-Bergamo, Rome-Fiumicino, Rome-Ciampino, Palermo, Cagliari, Venice-Treviso,
- Great Britain: Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London-Luton, London-Stansted, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester,
- UAE: Dubai.
Seasonal flights
The full network of charter flights has not yet been announced. They take tourists to holiday resorts mainly on behalf of travel agencies. Most destinations are in the Balkans and the Mediterranean. The exception and the most distant destination is the hit of recent years - Zanzibar. In the whole of last year, over 1.1 million passengers flew on charter airlines, including over 900 thousand from May to October.
Lawica is changing
The Poznań airport is undergoing reconstruction. Before the high season begins next year, changes will be made that will affect the comfort and speed of passenger service.
The part of the airport that will undergo the biggest change will be the Central Security Control Zonee. This is the place where; after dropping off larger suitcases, you go with your hand luggage. You then have to remove all liquid cosmetics, electronics and metal items into containers. This is often stressful and inconvenient for passengers. After the changes are made, all the above-mentioned items will not have to be removed from your luggage. You will also not have to take off your shoes.
The Central Security Control Zone will be enlarged in the place where the departure hall is now and turned 90 degrees. The main entrance to the departures section will be at the height of the Check-in zone. The lines for handling hand luggage will be extended from 12 to 20 meters. 5 passengers will be able to put their luggage out for checking at the same time. Previously, one passenger put things into up to three containers. After the changes were introduced, one will be enough. The speed of scanning the things in them will increase by up to 2.5 times. Previously, it was 150 trays per hour.
The first devices are already in place and after installation and testing they are to start working in April. In May all six tapes are to be operational.
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