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.
ORLEN Copernicus Cup to be held Sunday in Toruń
Ewa Swoboda, Natalia Bukowiecka, Justyna Święty-Ersetic, Pia Skrzyszowska, Maria Żodzik, Adrianna Sułek-Schubert, Anna Matuszewicz - these are the stars we will see on Sunday, February 22, 2026, during the ORLEN Copernicus Cup Toruń 2026. We invite you to the Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena Toruń!
Toruń will once again become the winter capital of world athletics. On February 22nd, the Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena will host the ORLEN Copernicus Cup Toruń 2026 – one of the most important indoor meets in the world and a key test for the Polish team before the Kujawy Pomorze 26 World Indoor Championships. In just over a month, the world's best athletes will compete for medals at the world championships in this same arena.
This year's ORLEN Copernicus Cup promises to be exceptionally strong from a Polish perspective. Fans will see the team's biggest stars in action: Ewa Swoboda, Natalia Bukowiecka, Justyna Święty-Ersetic, Pia Skrzyszowska, Maria Żodzik, Adrianna Sułek-Schubert, Anna Matuszewicz, Jakub Szymański, Damian Czykier, Maciej Wyderka, and Piotr Lisek. For many of them, this will be a test run before their World Championship medals.
The women's sprint has been electrifying the Toruń crowd for years. Ewa Swoboda will once again be a key figure in the 60-meter dash, while Natalia Bukowiecka and Justyna Święty-Ersetic will test their form against the international elite in the 400 meters. Pia Skrzyszowska and Damian Czykier will compete in the hurdles, where every start is crucial in building rhythm and confidence before the championships. In the high jump, fans are hoping for a strong performance from Maria Żodzik, Adrianna Sułek-Schubert and Anna Matuszewicz will deliver thrills in the all-around and technical events, and Piotr Lisek will consistently be one of the leaders in the pole vault. Also on the track will be Jakub Szymański and Maciej Wyderka, who are increasingly making their mark on the international scene.
For the athletes, the February meet is more than just a prestigious event. It's a test of form, tactics, and mental toughness in an arena that will be filled with fans from around the world starting in March. Natalia Bukowiecka doesn't deny that the support of the stands can play a crucial role.
"I cordially invite all fans to the ORLEN Copernicus Cup. The start in Toruń always brings tremendous energy. We ask that the wonderful Polish audience join us again and support us before the most important moment of the indoor season. It truly means a lot to us, " says the Polish representative.
The sporting excitement will begin much earlier than the main event. Starting at 11:00 a.m., athletes will compete in three pentathlon events, immersing fans in the atmosphere of a grand athletics celebration. The official opening ceremony of the ORLEN Copernicus Cup is scheduled for 3:50 p.m., when the Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena will be filled not only with sporting competition but also with the unique setting of the event.
"I'm delighted that Toruń is finally starting to celebrate this season's great athletics events. The ORLEN Copernicus Cup is not only a fantastic spectacle, but also a foretaste of what awaits us in March. Our city will once again demonstrate its ability to organize events at the highest world level," emphasizes Toruń Mayor Paweł Gulewski.
The 26th Kujawy Pomorze World Indoor Championships in March will be the largest track and field event in the region's history. It's a special moment for the voivodeship.
"In just over a month, we will witness the Kujawy-Pomerania 26 World Indoor Championships – the largest track and field event in the history of our region. The ORLEN Copernicus Cup is an important step on this journey and an opportunity to showcase the sporting heart of Kujawy and Pomerania to the world, " emphasizes Piotr Całbecki, Marshal of the Kujawy and Pomerania Voivodeship.
The event accompanying the meeting will be the opening of the exhibition of the Museum of World Athletics (MOWA). On Friday at 6:00 PM, the official opening of the exhibition, dedicated to the "queen of sport," will take place at Toruń Plaza, focusing on sport in the Kujawy and Pomerania regions. For a month, fans will have the opportunity to admire the uniforms of record-breaking athletes, memorabilia from major athletics events, and listen to audiovisual materials. Artifacts include the spikes of Marcus O'Sullivan, the 1987 world 1500m champion, and the uniform of Devynne Charlton, the world indoor hurdles champion, who will be on display in Toruń on Sunday. Admission to the exhibition is free.
On February 22nd, Toruń will become an arena of sporting excitement and one of the last serious attempts to fight for World Championship medals. The ORLEN Copernicus Cup 2026 is not only an international meet, but above all a celebration of athletics – with the Polish national team taking center stage, and with the grand finale of the indoor season on March 20-22nd in mind. The strategic sponsor is the City of Toruń, the title sponsor is Orlen, and the technical sponsor is Puma. The main partner of the event is the Marshal's Office of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, organizer of the Kujawy Pomorze 26 World Indoor Championships. The meeting is supported by Polanik, InterRisk, Hotel Bulwar, KIA Autopol, Bydgoszcz Airport, Toruń Plaza, and Red Bull.
Oldtimer Meeting showcases automotive history in Toruń
Ahead of us is a weekend of encounters with cars and motorcycles that have become icons of their era over the years, and which still inspire admiration for their detail and history. On February 21st and 22nd, the PARK Trade Fair Center in Toruń will be filled with automotive legends during the Oldtimer Meeting.
The event will feature more than just classic passenger cars. There will also be vintage motorcycles, military equipment stands, and memorabilia related to automotive history. The event will also feature reenactment groups in period costumes, allowing you to experience the atmosphere of the past decades.
Among the guests will also be Mr. Stanisław, known as the Toruń Batman, who will present his unique Batmobile and, as always, attract the attention of visitors.
The PARK Trade Fair Center at Szosa Bydgoska 3 in Toruń invites you.
Event opening hours:
- Saturday, February 21: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Sunday, February 22: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Admission is 30 PLN. Children under 12 are admitted free of charge.
'Coffee with stamps' event brings collectors to Boleslawiec
A joint project of the Bolesławiec Ceramic Plant and the Nutcracker.
The Bolesławiec Ceramic Plant and Orzechownia are starting a collaboration and presenting sets that combine hand-decorated Bolesławiec ceramics with coffee.
- This is a project created to celebrate everyday moments and the natural result of the meeting of two brands that combine quality, authenticity and respect for the creation process - this is how both companies promote their idea.
Orzechownia is a family-owned factory that has been operating for over eight years, offering nut products and freshly roasted coffee.
The result of the cooperation between the two companies are gift sets with Bolesławiec tableware in two decorations and coffee in stamped packaging.
"Bolesławiec pottery is my childhood. The aroma of coffee wafting through my family home and the celebration of everyday moments in cobalt cups decorated with white dots. It's a tremendous honor that from now on, so many people will be able to savor the taste and aroma of our coffee in the most beautiful Polish pottery created by the Bolesławiec Ceramic Plant. Dreams do come true!" says Olga Skalska , co-founder of Orzechownia.
"This collaboration demonstrates that Polish craftsmanship is a natural part of everyday life today. We are joining forces with brands that share our values, giving Bolesławiec ceramics a new context,” says Arkadiusz Grzesikowski , President of ZC "Bolesławiec."
The sets are available in the online stores of Orzechownia and Zakłady Ceramiczne "Bolesławiec" and in stationary stores of ZC in Bolesławiec, Warsaw and Wrocław.
Agreement confirms US base in Świętoszów, not Bolesławiec
Following media reports by the Minister of National Defense about a possible American base in Bolesławiec, a soldier familiar with the EDCA agreement's provisions spoke out. Government documents show that key investments and headquarters are planned for Świętoszów. Meanwhile, local authorities have not announced preparations for the presence of up to 5,000 soldiers in the immediate vicinity of the town.
Following the publication of information about the possible location of American military infrastructure in Bolesławiec, a soldier contacted our editorial office, emphasizing the need for precise verification of the information. In a conversation with the journalist, he pointed out specific provisions of the agreement between the Government of the Republic of Poland and the Government of the United States of America.
The documents indicate that although the agreement mentions Bolesławiec, it broadly covers the Żagań military training ground, along with several military complexes in the region. However, key investments – including the US Armored Brigade Combat Team base – were clearly assigned to Świętoszów.
The annex to the agreement details specific infrastructure elements that are planned or already under construction. These include:
- a place for stationing troops with a capacity of up to 4,800 people,
- brigade complex with command,
- barracks and canteens,
- fuel storage and logistics facilities,
- siding and extension of the railway line.
All of these elements were identified for the Świętoszów location, not Bolesławiec itself. The editorial staff spoke with the publication, pointing out that the public statements may have been oversimplified – using the name of a larger city to describe the entire district or region.
"There will be neither a base nor a headquarters in Bolesławiec. This is clearly stated in the agreement. Just look at the attachments," the soldier emphasized, encouraging people to read the documents for themselves.
At the same time, he pointed out that the scale of the investment in Świętoszów is already visible on the ground, including access roads and new technical infrastructure. He believes that the preparation process has been ongoing for several years.
Against this backdrop, the question arises about how local governments should prepare for the impact of such a large military presence in the immediate vicinity of Bolesławiec. This applies not only to security issues, but also to transportation, housing, public services, and healthcare.
So far, there is no information whether the mayor of Bolesławiec, Piotr Roman , or the starost of Bolesławiec, Tomasz Gabrysiak, have publicly commented on the provisions of the EDCA agreement and the potential consequences of stationing several thousand soldiers in Świętoszów.
We submitted questions to the Ministry of National Defence and local authorities, citing the provisions of the agreement directly, to clearly explain the scope of the investment and its significance for the region.
What are the explanations given by the Ministry and the District Office regarding the location of US Army soldiers in Bolesławiec?
We received the first response from the Ministry of National Defence.
Under the EDCA agreement, a U.S. Armed Forces unit operates in Bolesławiec. Key infrastructure elements are being constructed in the Bolesławiec County.To meet the infrastructure needs of the American military, barracks, warehouses, and yards have been designated in Bolesławiec. We undertake ongoing maintenance and repairs to the infrastructure, as the needs arise. We provide ongoing information on investments being made for the American military.
Department of Communication and Promotion of the Ministry of National Defence
Another response came from the district office in Bolesławiec:
The Bolesławiec County Office has not conducted any analysis of the EDCA provisions in the context of the impact of the Świętoszów investment on the Bolesławiec County – information in this regard is nonexistent. The county does not have information regarding the planned number of soldiers and civilian employees who would be stationed in the region. A meeting is planned, the purpose of which will be, among other things, to coordinate activities aimed at accelerating the implementation of the Bolesławiec Road Development Fund Road infrastructure as a defense task implemented under the Government Road Development Fund Act, as well as to develop appropriate courses of action to achieve the planned objective. The county is cooperating in this regard with the Ministry of National Defense, the military, and neighboring local governments.
Emilia Michałowska, District Office in Bolesławiec
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