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.
Thanks to New Savings Map, Poznań Residents Can Cut Costs and Share Tips
The Poznań Zero Waste Map was recently launched.
This map of the capital of Greater Poland, marked with repair and exchange points, rental companies, and charity stores, brings together all the addresses that can help residents give things a second life or reduce waste generation.
" The items on the map are divided into several categories. These include, among others, rental shops. This group includes all kinds of places where (usually for a fee) you can rent for a certain period of time, for example, gardening and workshop tools, board and computer games, sports equipment, as well as carnival costumes, tuxedos, wedding and evening dresses," city officials inform.
"Clothing, game, and various equipment rentals are located in many parts of the city. Simply select what you're interested in. The map will then show all the locations that meet your requirements, along with contact information," they add.
As we have already informed, the other categories are: second life for things, food points, charity shops and warehouses, and repair services.
"Second Life of Things" is a place where you can exchange working items like clothes, books, and household appliances. They operate, for example, at Poznań's Gratowiska shopping malls and through neighborhood giveaways, sometimes for a small fee. Food points are soup kitchens and canteens where you can drop off or pick up groceries free of charge. The map also includes charity shops and warehouses, as well as neighborhood swap meetups open to all residents.
The "repair services" category includes small, artisanal workshops and workshops offering, among others, shoemaking, leatherwork, tailoring, and watchmaking services, as well as electrical and electronic repairs.
"The Poznań Zero Waste Map is a tool that can be continuously developed and expanded. Each user can submit new points that align with the zero waste idea. Suggestions are accepted at the following email address: eko-edukacja@um.poznan.pl ," the officials added.
The interactive map can be found at this address: https://www.poznan.pl/mim/plan/map.html?mtype=zero_waste.
Greater Poland Team Scores Historic Victory in Dakar Rally
For the first time in the history of the Dakar Rally and Dakar Classic, a Polish team wins the truck classification.
The KAMENA Rally Team is responsible for this unprecedented success. Tomasz Białkowski, Dariusz Baśkiewicz, and Adam Grodzki, driving the legendary, twin-engine DAF BULL 3300, claimed the highest trophy in their category at the 2026 Dakar Classic.
" This victory has symbolic, sporting, and historic significance—both for Polish motorsport and for the very idea of the Dakar Classic, where the history, technology, and spirit of old rallies meet the extreme challenge of the present, " said the KAMENA Rally Team.
The team had already made rally history by winning Stage 3 of the overall Dakar Classic 2026—the first truck in history to achieve this feat. Winning the entire truck classification adds to this story.
" The victory of the KAMENA Rally Team is not only a sporting triumph. It is proof that passion, determination and courage in pursuing dreams can take a team from a country without a Dakar truck tradition to the very top of the most legendary rally in the world. For the first time in the history of the Dakar Classic, the winning truck wears white and red colors. This is a moment that will be written in gold - not only in the annals of the rally, but also in the history of Polish motorsport. The KAMENA Rally Team has just become a part of it, " it was emphasized.
Immersive Exhibition Draws Crowds in Warsaw, Moves to Poznań
Following its enormous success in Warsaw, where over 20,000 people saw the exhibition, Art Box Experience is bringing its immersive exhibition "Romantic Chopin" to Poznań. This is the first advanced, multimedia exhibition devoted to Fryderyk Chopin in Poland. The Art Box Experience studio project, created in collaboration with the Fryderyk Chopin Institute, combines music, painting, and biographical narrative with modern immersive technologies. The exhibition concept was conceived in 2023 with the aim of providing an accessible and engaging introduction to Chopin for both music lovers and those just discovering his work. The exhibition utilizes projections, animations, interactive touch installations, and VR technology. The focal point is an immersive hall where viewers immerse themselves in Chopin's sounds, surrounded by painterly images inspired by his work and his homeland.
"The Poznań edition of the exhibition includes educational spaces, interactive music installations, a VR room prepared by Platige Image studio, and the main immersive room, where sound and image create a coherent, emotional narrative. The exhibition begins with a portrait of the composer, changing to show him at different stages of his life. In addition to his image, you can also see a cast of Chopin's hand, which is part of a unique musical sculpture. This is an innovative interactive experience. By touching Chopin's "hand," visitors can "activate" selected fragments of his works, thus discovering 16 of his most beautiful compositions in a new form," says Karol Kański from the MTP Group Press Center.
Work on the " Romantic Chopin" exhibition took nearly two years. Artists, programmers, scriptwriters, interaction and new technology specialists participated. "Romantic Chopin is a project born of passion, respect, and the enormous commitment of the entire team – creators, artists, researchers, technology designers, and curators. We wanted to create something more than just an exhibition – a space that allows you to experience Chopin, his world, and his emotions. It's a tribute to one of the greatest composers, but also a new way of telling culture, relevant to contemporary audiences. We wanted every visitor – regardless of age or musical background – to feel a connection with Chopin, his work, and his era. Following the success of the Warsaw edition, we are thrilled to present the exhibition in a new destination – Poznań. We hope that "Romantic Chopin" will also generate such great interest here and move thousands of viewers. We are also incredibly happy to have collaborated with the Fryderyk Chopin National Institute and together build something truly unique," says Joanna Sikora-Kowalkowska, President of Art Box Experience.
The exhibition premiere will take place on February 7th at the Poznań International Fair, in Pavilion 1A. More details can be found on the event website.
Poznań Airport Reports Another Record-Breaking Year
On December 12th, Poznań Airport celebrated its 4 millionth passenger. Ultimately, Ławica Henryk Wieniawski Airport served 4,144,829 passengers in 2025. This was the third consecutive year with a record number of travelers.
The pandemic slowed passenger traffic, but it slowly began to return to normal in 2022. In 2023, the airport fell just over 200,000 short of reaching the then-magical 3 million passenger milestone, but a year later, it surpassed that goal and ultimately, 2024 closed with 3,607,819 passengers, over 800,000 more. It was hoped that 2025 would break another record and surpass the 4 million mark. This happened on December 12th. Ultimately, 4,144,829 passengers were handled over the previous 12 months. This is over half a million passengers and 15 percent more than the previous year. Each month was better than the same month in 2025 and a record in Poznań Airport's history. Over one million passengers were handled in July and August alone.
Changes at the airport
The year 2025 will bring not only more people to serve, but also changes, particularly noticeable for those departing from Poznań. Six modern and longer security lines have been installed, equipped with state-of-the-art baggage scanners. When passing through security, no one asks you to remove liquids or electronics from your luggage. You also don't have to remove your shoes. These improvements were introduced before the summer season. As of September 9th, Ławica became the second airport in Poland to increase liquid limits. From that date, liquids can be transported in containers of up to two liters.
This was achieved thanks to the use of state-of-the-art CT scanners at Poznań Airport, which utilize computed tomography technology. These scanners enable precise inspection of liquids, gels, and aerosols being carried. Smiths Detection scanners, which have been operating in Poznań since April, are equipped with the latest, certified software, allowing the transport of larger volumes of liquids in carry-on baggage.
Before the May long weekend, Poznań joined Warsaw, Gdańsk, Katowice, Kraków, and Wrocław – cities with airports that already offer temporary passports. This allows many important trips, such as family gatherings and business trips, to be saved.
Where can you fly from Poznań in 2026?
This year, you'll be able to fly to 48 airports in 26 countries on both traditional and low-cost airlines. In three cases, flights from two airlines will be served by the same airport: Tirana and Podgorica (WizzAir, Ryanair) and Copenhagen (Ryanair, SAS). For London, you can choose between Ryanair, which lands at Stansted, or WizzAir, which flies to and from Luton.
Compared to last year, three destinations will be missing, but five new ones will appear.
In October 2025, Wizz Air announced that flights to Podgorica would begin on June 4th. After the summer break, on September 21st, the airline will fly to Basel, one of the most interesting cities on the border of Switzerland, France, and Germany.
Ryanair will also be able to fly to Podgorica. The airline announced the launch of flights to Shannon, Ireland, a few months ago. Swiss International Air Lines will also be offering flights to Zurich starting March 29th.
Compared to last year, flights to Rome Fiumicino Airport (Wizz Air) and Tel Aviv (Ryanair) have already been removed from the schedule. Lufthansa, on the other hand, will discontinue its direct connection to Munich at the start of the summer season (March 29).
List of destinations with regular flights from Ławica in 2026:
- Albania: Tirana (Ryanair, WizzAir),
- Belgium: Brussels-Charleroi (Ryanair),
- Bulgaria: Burgas (Ryanair),
- Croatia: Dubrovnik, Pula, Zadar (Ryanair),
- Montenegro: Podgorica (Ryanair, WizzAir),
- Cyprus: Paphos (Ryanair),
- Czech Republic: Prague (Ryanair),
- Denmark: Copenhagen (Ryanair, SAS),
- France: Paris-Beauvais (Ryanair),
- Greece: Corfu, Thessaloniki, Chania (Ryanair),
- Georgia: Kutaisi (WizzAir),
- Spain: Alicante, Barcelona-Girona, Malaga, Palma, Valencia (Ryanair),
- Netherlands: Amsterdam (KLM),
- Ireland: Dublin, Cork, Shannon (Ryanair),
- Jordan: Amman (Ryanair),
- Malta: Malta (Ryanair),
- Germany: Frankfurt (Lufthansa)
- Norway: Oslo Torp (Ryanair),
- Portugal: Lisbon (Ryanair),
- Poland: Warsaw (LOT),
- Switzerland: Zurich (Swiss),
- Switzerland/Germany/France: Basel (WizzAir),
- Sweden: Stockholm (Ryanair),
- Great Britain: Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London-Stansted, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester (Ryanair), London-Luton (WizzAir),
- Italy: Bari, Milan-Bergamo, Rome-Ciampino, Palermo, Cagliari, Venice-Treviso (Ryanair),
- UAE: Dubai (flydubai)
The flight network from Ławica Henryk Wieniawski Airport is complemented by charter flights. These transport tourists to holiday resorts, primarily on behalf of travel agencies. Most destinations are in the Balkans and the Mediterranean. Zanzibar has been a hit in recent years, and flights to Vietnam and Thailand were added late last year. Nearly 1.2 million passengers flew on charter flights last year, with the majority (almost a million) flying between May and October.
Poznań to Join Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity on Jan. 25, 2026
"Healthy tummies of our children" – this is the slogan of the 34th Grand Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. As usual, Poznań is joining in the fun. Jacek Jaśkowiak, the city's mayor, has auctioned off many interesting items and will also be collecting money for the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity collection box.
Many city entities and institutions participated in this year's Grand Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. Jacek Jaśkowiak, Mayor of Poznań, auctioned off many interesting items. Among them are:
- Francis Fukuyama's book "The Confusion with Liberalism," signed by the author. It is one of the most important contemporary publications on the state of liberal democracy and the Western political order. This unique copy was personally signed by the author during the international technology and economic event Impact'25 in Poznań, which brought together leaders in science, politics, and business. It can be auctioned on stage during the closing ceremony.
- Sylvie Kauffmann's book, "Blinded: How Berlin and Paris Gave Russia a Free Hand," is signed by the author. This publication focuses on relations between European capitals and Russia. Sylvie Kauffmann, a longtime columnist for Le Monde, is known for her insightful analyses of international politics. The author visited Poznań as part of Impact'25, where she shared her observations on global challenges. The book is available for bidding at the Ławica Staff auction .
- Cédric Villani's book "The Birth of a Theorem, or Mathematics in the Heat," signed by the author. Cédric Villani, the distinguished French mathematician, Fields Medal winner, and renowned science popularizer, takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the world of contemporary mathematical discoveries. This exceptional copy is signed by the author and bears a personal dedication. It is available for bidding at the Ławica Sztab auction .
- A commemorative trowel from the cornerstone-laying ceremony for the construction of a school in Strzeszyn, Poznań. It is a symbolic memento of one of the city's key investments.
- Collectible, limited-edition gold PEKA cards with his signature. The artwork on them directly references the 34th Grand Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. Those who bid on them—if they wish—will be able to top them up and use them to pay for public transportation. The cards can be bid on at auctions held by the Ławica Headquarters and on stage, among other venues.
- The comic book "Mieszko. Volume 7. Trap" with original artwork, tells the story of Poland's first historical prince. Przemysław "Graphos" Świszcz, the creator of "Mieszko," a cartoonist, comic book creator, and history enthusiast, has donated his original artwork to the City of Poznań, accompanying the comic book series. The artist's unique artwork gives the set a collector's item character. Those interested can bid on them at the Ławica Staff auction .
- The board game "Cypher Breakers" (Cypher Breakers) takes on the role of pre-war intelligence agents, tasked with deciphering a secret message and completing the assigned mission. It's available for auction at the Ławica Staff auction .
- A ceramic butter dish in the shape of a St. Martin's croissant. This item comes from a limited series prepared for the Poznań City Hall. Its shape is inspired by the famous baked good – a symbol of Poznań's flavors, dating back to the 19th century. It will be available for auction on stage during the finale.
- Packages of urban gadgets inspired by Poznań's historic architecture. These can be bid on at venues including the Ławica Staff auction and on stage.
In addition, the Mayor of Poznań will be collecting money for the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity during Sunday's Finale and will also take part in the auctions on stage.
Famous Poznań residents for the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity
As is tradition, Grzegorz Ganowicz, Chairman of the Poznań City Council, also plays with the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. This year, he has joined forces with Jędrzej Solarski, Deputy Mayor of Poznań. As part of their joint auction, they invite you to a doubles tennis match, combined with a discussion about Poznań. You can bid on the event at Allegro .
The orchestra is also supported by other deputy mayors. Marcin Gołek invites you to the Lech match in the presidential box – with a good view of the pitch and a space for discussion about the city and issues important to Poznań residents. You can bid on it at the Ławica Staff auction . Mariusz Wiśniewski, in turn, will be collecting money from the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (WOŚP) collection box during Sunday's finale.
The District Chamber of Legal Advisers' staff auctioned off a gym workout with its dean, Henryk Kuligowski. The Ławica Staff, in turn, is offering an official Lech Poznań sports jersey with a Certificate of Authenticity, featuring the handwritten signatures of all the players from the first team.
Parliamentarians and government representatives from Greater Poland also got involved. Adam Szłapka, government spokesman, invites you to a unique tour of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister – the place where the most important decisions for our country are made. You can bid on the tour on Allegro . MP Katarzyna Kierzek-Koperska invites you to a tour of the Sejm , and Ewa Schädler invites you for a coffee.
As usual, MPK Poznań will perform with the Orchestra. Two online auctions offer the chance to win rides: a tram and a bus . Krzysztof Dostatni, CEO of the company, will lead each ride.
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