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.
Toruń Invests in Patrols, Drones and Surveillance to Boost Public Safety
Public safety remains a top priority for the city authorities of Toruń. On July 7, 2025, the City Council confirmed the expansion of its municipal patrol system and investment in state-of-the-art surveillance and rapid-response capabilities. Nearly PLN 470,000 has been allocated for modern police equipment, including new patrol vehicles, advanced technical tools, and thermal-vision drones. These tools will not only support routine law enforcement but also improve emergency readiness during night shifts and large-scale public events.
Furthermore, PLN 700,000 will finance an impressive 1,750 patrols—both on foot and via vehicle—through the end of the year. To boost operational agility, the city plans to invest an additional PLN 400,000 in a new Rapid Response vehicle designed for immediate intervention in high-risk or urgent situations. The upgraded fleet and personnel deployment are projected to raise the number of city patrols to 2,000 by December 2025.
The city is also expanding its surveillance infrastructure. In June alone, 328 incidents were identified through existing monitoring systems. Now, under the EU-cofinanced “Rehabilitation Programme” focused on Old Town and Bydgoskie Przedmieście, Toruń will invest PLN 672,000 (of which PLN 571,000 is subsidized) into a modern server infrastructure. This system—scheduled for completion by September 2026—will significantly enhance footage analysis and facilitate AI-powered alerts, allowing faster coordination between municipal police and emergency services.
To protect key cultural and tourist hubs, patrol units have also been assigned to monitor the Staromiejskie Market Square and Szeroka Street 24/7. Additionally, river patrols on the Vistula ensure safety on Toruń’s waterfront during the summer season, especially near popular leisure sites and marinas.
Toruń Ranks Among Poland’s Top Cities for Quality of Life
The city’s attention to quality of life has yielded notable national recognition. According to the latest “PZU Lokalne” report—compiled by PZU in cooperation with the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH)—Toruń ranks 10th among 38 Polish cities with populations exceeding 100,000.
The ranking was based on four primary criteria: health, culture and education, safety, and general comfort of living.
- Health (Score: 8.1/10; 9th place): The city benefits from relatively low levels of air pollution (8th nationally for PM2.5), an extensive green space network, and a well-developed sports infrastructure.
- Culture & Education (Score: 4.3/10; 15th place): Toruń boasts a strong offering of cultural institutions and childcare services, both ranking 8th nationwide, although access to secondary and higher education facilities slightly lowered its composite score.
- Safety (Score: 7.4/10; 25th place): The city’s effective fire prevention services (13th) and visible police presence (18th) underpin this ranking, with the ongoing patrol expansion expected to boost this metric in coming years.
- Comfort of Living: Ranked 7th overall, Toruń offers peaceful neighborhoods, reliable public transport, and quick access to regional bus terminals—factors frequently praised by both residents and newcomers.
Toruń’s composite index of 0.40 places it ahead of Kraków and Poznań (each with 0.36), and just behind Warsaw (0.46). It holds 1st place for civilizational development and psychological well-being, and 2nd for social capital, indicating a high degree of community engagement, cultural pride, and emotional satisfaction among residents.
These data align with sociological surveys showing that Toruń’s inhabitants report high life satisfaction—ranking 4th in Poland, even above traditionally celebrated cities such as Kraków, Warsaw, and Wrocław.
International Music and Architecture Festival Brings Summer Soundscapes to Toruń
Complementing these structural investments is a rich calendar of cultural events that shape Toruń’s character and charm. On July 5, the 29th International Festival “Nova Music and Architecture” opened with a twilight recital titled “Music of the Night” in the amphitheater of the Ethnographic Museum. Pianist Adam Kośmieja delivered an evocative performance under the open sky, captivating the audience with a repertoire that seamlessly blended classic and contemporary pieces: Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata,” Chopin’s nocturne, Debussy’s “Clair de lune,” and Liszt’s “Consolation No. 3,” followed by modern film and electronic selections.
The concert’s setting—beneath the dusk light in a historically resonant venue—highlighted the festival’s mission: merging the sonic with the architectural, inviting listeners to experience both music and space in new dimensions. Deputy Mayor Adam Szponka, present at the event, emphasized how such performances deepen appreciation for the city’s heritage and community spirit.
The festival runs through August 31, offering chamber music, jazz, orchestral events, and guided architectural walks across the city’s historic core. It has become a seasonal cornerstone in Toruń’s cultural identity, drawing both tourists and longtime residents alike.
Looking ahead, the 10th Film Song and Ballad Festival will return after a multi-year hiatus. Scheduled for August 21–22 at the prestigious CKK Jordanki, this two-day event—funded by a PLN 430,000 city grant—will feature musical homages to Polish cinema, a gala concert by the Alla Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and vocal performances by celebrated artists including Anna Sroka-Hryń. Ticket prices range from PLN 50 to PLN 90, with sales beginning in mid-July.
Bolesławiec Paper Exhibit Blends History, Art and Hands-On Learning
While Toruń honors its music and architecture, another Lower Silesian city—Bolesławiec—has launched an innovative exhibition that brings history to life through tactile learning. On July 2, the Ceramic Museum in Bolesławiec opened “With Paper Across Two Millennia,” an interactive showcase developed in collaboration with the Paper Museum in Duszniki-Zdrój.
The exhibition traces the journey of paper from ancient civilizations to modern sustainable techniques. Aimed particularly at children and families, the opening event featured creative workshops with artisan Marcin Wyszyński, during which participants made 3D paper structures, decorated keepsake medallions, and learned how plant fibers are transformed into usable sheets.
The event culminated in “Papieriada,” a public hands-on event that blended education, craft, and fun, welcoming over a hundred participants from schools and local cultural centers. The exhibit remains open through July 31, offering free admission and scheduled group sessions for schools and summer camps.
Although Bolesławiec is renowned globally for its decorated ceramics, this temporary focus on papermaking broadens its cultural offerings—bridging different forms of heritage and craftsmanship.
Social Sharing