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.
Royal-Imperial Route turns 20
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Royal-Imperial Route, a historic trail connecting the old city center on Ostrów Tumski and the new Poznań on the left bank of the Warta River. To mark the occasion, artists can create an installation that will be presented during the May Day weekend at the Poznań Gate. All interested residents and tourists visiting the capital of Greater Poland are welcome to take part in walks along the route.
A walk along the trail of women, Jewish heritage, or industry and technology, or perhaps a stroll through Śródmieście, Zagórze, Chwaliszewo, Śródka, the Old Town, or Królewska Island. The program of spring walks is very rich. There will also be opportunities to delve deeper into Poznań's rivers and parks, learn more about one of Poznań's most important streets, Św. Marcin, and the floods that plague the city.
A total of 20 walks are planned to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Royal-Imperial Route. They will take place from March 21st to September 5th – always on Saturdays, at 11:00 AM or 5:00 PM. Those who decide to join the walks can not only learn many interesting facts about Poznań but also receive anniversary gifts.
A detailed schedule of walks and information about the anniversary can be found on the trail's website .
A unique May Day weekend
Excursions aren't everything. Many birthday attractions await residents during the May Day weekend at the Poznań Gate. This place arose from the idea of the Royal-Imperial Route, and is also where it begins.
During the May long weekend, events planned include anniversary workshops, walks, children's activities, and a concert. An outdoor exhibition about the trail will premiere during the May long weekend, and a new neon sign designed especially for the anniversary will illuminate the footbridge over Cybina.
Artists are also welcome to join in the birthday celebrations. The Open Call: Flows competition is aimed at them.
"We invite you to join us in analyzing the paths of life's flow. What are the reasons for the existence of its streams in a given place? Referring to the history of the Royal-Imperial Route, let's consider what causes life-giving streams of energy, data, and goods to appear in specific places. What do we need for life to thrive? How do our needs and daily affairs shape reality? What does it mean to belong to a place in a world of constant movement?" the competition organizers wonder.
To participate, please read the rules and complete the form, create a project mood board, and send it to: etap@bramapoznania.pl . The deadline is March 30th.
The competition organizers want the artistic installation to be created with the participation of the public (e.g. during joint workshops), to be made of ecological materials (preferably recycled), to encourage interaction, and to be placed in the vicinity of the Poznań Gate.
The construction of the outdoor installation with public participation is planned for May 1-3, 2026, i.e. during the May Day celebrations at the Poznań Gate.
More information about the competition can be found on the Brama Poznańia website .
Spring Welcome Bike Tour to pass through Poznań
The traditional bicycle ride through the streets of Poznań, combined with a symbolic farewell to winter, will take place on Saturday, March 21st in the city center. The event will conclude with a ceremony of drowning Marzanna on Jordan Bridge. The program will include a costume contest.
The Spring Welcome Bike Ride is an event that has been bringing together cycling enthusiasts for many years. The initiative has been organized since the early 1990s and has become a permanent fixture in the city's spring calendar. The shared ride through the streets of Poznań symbolically kicks off the new cycling season.
Although many residents use bicycles year-round, with the arrival of spring, more and more people choose this mode of transport for daily travel and recreation.
A symbolic farewell to winter
A permanent feature of the event is the ceremony of drowning Marzanna. It is symbolic and serves as a joyful conclusion to the journey.
Over the years, Marzanny has taken various forms, addressing current events or social challenges. In previous editions, symbolic farewells were given to, among other things, the virus during the pandemic or a model of a Russian tank following the outbreak of a full-scale war in Ukraine. Often, the ceremony also addressed issues related to cycling.
Attractions at the start and finish line
Organizers are announcing additional attractions for event participants. At the beginning of the event, there will be an opportunity to decorate bikes, and face painting will be available for children. There will also be an educational stand dedicated to cycling and live music.
At the end of the ride, there will be a competition for the most interesting costume.
Event program
The event will begin at 12:00 noon in the courtyard in front of the Zamek Cultural Center. The program includes bicycle decorating, entertainment, and educational activities.
At 1:00 PM, participants will set off on a bicycle parade through the city streets. The route will lead from the Castle through the Old Town, then across the Berdychiv Bridges to the Jordan Bridge.
The event's finale is scheduled for approximately 1:45 PM – a ceremony to bid farewell to winter and welcome spring. The results of the costume contest will also be announced at that time. Participants will be treated to hot drinks and lemonade.
After the event, bikers at Brama Poznańa will have the opportunity to participate in a police marking of their bikes. Participants will also be able to take advantage of a discount at the Pora Smaku restaurant.
Poznań Literature and Education Festival approaches
This weekend, March 13-15, the Poznań International Fair will become a center of literature, art, science, and modern education. The Poznań Book Fair and the 30th anniversary edition of the Education Fair will take place simultaneously. These three days of meetings, inspiration, and conversations attract tens of thousands of visitors from across Poland every year.
The Poznań Book Fair is one of the largest events of its kind in Poland. Last year's edition attracted over 70,000 visitors, confirming the event's importance on the country's cultural map. This year's program promises to be even more impressive. The schedule already includes over 800 events, and over 300 exhibitors will be presenting their offerings.
Among the most important publishing houses present at the fair will be Wydawnictwo Poznańskie, Muza, Czarne, Rebis, Wydawnictwo Literackie, Filia, Znak, Marginesy, NieZwykłe, and many, many others. It is in Poznań that readers will have the opportunity to meet authors representing a wide variety of literary genres and creative movements.
Some of the most renowned names in Polish and European literature will appear on the fair stages. Readers will be able to meet Nike Award winner Eliza Kącka, Szczepan Twardoch, Katarzyna Bonda, Weronika Marczak, Sławek Gortych, Maciej Siembieda, Siergiej Lebiediew, and Katarzyna Grochola, as well as many other authors whose books have topped bestseller lists for years.
The Poznań Book Fair isn't just about author meetings. The program includes workshops for children, educational events, and a special Family Reading Zone, led by Dr. Małgorzata Swędrowska, which encourages shared literary discovery for children and their guardians. Another highlight of the program will be the Publishing Speed Date, an initiative connecting debuting authors with representatives from various publishing houses. In the Signature Zone, stars from publishers like Wydawnictwo NieZwykłego will be waiting for readers, giving fans the opportunity to get autographs and meet their favorite authors in person.
Education of the future in practice
The Education Fair will be held concurrently with the Poznań Literature Festival. This event is intended for students choosing a school or course of study, as well as for parents and teachers who want to consciously support young people in their decision-making. This year's event is themed "Education on the Go," emphasizing that development is a process – dynamic, multi-stage, and full of discoveries.
The Education Fair will bring together distinguished science popularizers and media personalities. Dr. Tomasz Rożek, Adam Mirek, and Prof. Andrzej Dragan will speak at the event. Marcin Prokop, Przemek Staroń, Justyna Suchecka, Agnieszka Jankowiak-Maik, Patryk Oko, and Joanna Moro will also meet with participants. The program also includes a meeting with traveler Michał Kiełbasa.
The event will feature artistic performances, concerts, youth show, and plays. Attendees will also enjoy the Laser Tag zone. The Greater Poland Schools Chess Championships will undoubtedly provide plenty of excitement.
An important element of the program is training and workshops for teachers, during which experts will present modern working methods and practical tools supporting the development of students' competences.
Academic Poznań and business in dialogue with education
The Academic Poznań project will feature the most important universities in the capital of Greater Poland - Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań University of Technology, Karol Marcinkowski Medical University, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Magdalena Abakanowicz University of Arts, University of Physical Education and the University of Economics.
The Education Fair exhibitors will also include companies such as Volkswagen, Bank Pekao and Enea, which highlights the strong connection between education and the labor market and real career paths.
Free admission to the Education Fair is available to students with a school ID, teachers, educators, and librarians upon presentation of appropriate identification. Tickets must be collected and presented at the entrance.
A ticket purchased for the Book Fair also entitles you to entry to the Education Fair and vice versa (the exception are free tickets, which do not provide this option).
Information:
- Opening hours: Friday 10:00-18:00, Saturday 10:00-19:00, Sunday 10:00-16:00.
- Location: MTP - Education Fair will be held in pavilion no. 5, and Poznań Book Fair - in pavilions 5A, 6, 7, 8 and 8A.
- Tickets are available on the ToBilet.pl website and in the Grupa MTP app.
- More information can be found on the websites: Book Fair and Educational Fair .
- Give books a second life
What to do when books no longer fit on the shelves? It's worth giving them a second life. Bookcrossing shelves are popping up around the city, where you can leave your read titles for others to enjoy. Literature lovers will surely find something to enjoy in such places—and for free.
Avid readers who want to expand their library for free can visit book exchanges. They can be found almost everywhere in the city. The same is true for those whose shelves are already overflowing with books or who want to make room for new books at home.
Locations with bookcrossing shelves, giveaways, and other exchange points have been marked on the Poznań Zero Waste Map . In addition, the map also includes rental shops (e.g., for games, clothing, sports, and gardening equipment), canteens, soup kitchens, and charity stores. The map also features repair shops (for shoes, watches, clothing, bicycles, electronics and household appliances, musical instruments, furniture, etc.)—run by professionals or those offering to take matters into their own hands (so-called repair cafes).
To find any of the listed locations, simply select what you're interested in. The map will then display all the matching locations, along with contact information.
The Poznań Zero Waste Map is a tool that can be continuously developed and expanded. Each user can submit new zero-waste points. Suggestions are accepted by email at eko-edukacja@um.poznan.pl.
More information about this map can be found on the website Poznan.pl .
Poznań airport launches new Zurich route
On March 29, Swiss International Air Lines will launch its first direct flights from Poznań to Zurich. The announcement of the connection took place at City Hall. The event was attended by representatives of the business, economic, and academic communities.
The meeting was opened by the Mayor of Poznań, Jacek Jaśkowiak, and Luca Laloli, a representative of the Swiss Embassy in Poland. Grzegorz Bykowski, CEO of Poznań-Ławica Airport, presented the process of launching the new route and outlined future plans. The official portion of the meeting was concluded by Rhonen Azoulay, a representative of the Lufthansa Group, who outlined the offerings awaiting potential passengers.
During the meeting, it was possible to discover the full capabilities of the Swiss airline using VR glasses, as well as talk directly to representatives of the carrier.
Zurich is a major business hub on the European map. Located in northeastern Switzerland, the city has long been a sought-after destination for local investors. For years, the Wielkopolska region has remained an attractive location for Swiss capital. Nearly 100 Swiss companies have established branches here, 48 of which are in Poznań. It's the fourth most popular location in Poland chosen by Swiss investors.
The new connection will provide Poznań with access to the global transportation hub of Zurich Airport. Thanks to numerous intercontinental routes and a wide range of European destinations, residents of the capital of Greater Poland will have new travel options to destinations such as New York, Hong Kong, and Buenos Aires.
Flights between Poznań and Zurich will operate three times a week: on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The first flight will depart on March 29th.
Where can you fly from Poznań in 2026?
This year, traditional and low-cost airlines will be able to fly to 48 airports in 26 countries.
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.
Starting in May, you'll also be able to fly to Podgorica with Ryanair. A few months ago, the airline announced it would launch flights to Shannon, Ireland, starting at the end of March.
Poznań April music festival finalizes lineup
The festival will last three days.
The full musical lineup for this year's Next Fest Music Showcase & Conference has been revealed. Previously announced artists will perform in Poznań in April, including Vito Bambino, Ewa Farna, Natalia Szroeder, Słoń, Peja Slums Attack, AudioFeels, Kuba i Kuba, Xxanaxx, and John Porter. Alongside them will be newcomers who are already generating a lot of buzz, including Bonaventura, Pola Błasik, Sierpień, Helena Anna, Justyna Chachuła, and Twój, Dawid. The full list of performers can be found on the festival website.
"The most important announcement is undoubtedly a special project by the duo that defined Polish pop and hip-hop in the early 21st century. Mezo and Kasia Wilk return to the stage together to revisit iconic hits like "Sacrum" and "Ważne." Mezo, a rapper with 30 years of experience, proves that his work is still vibrant, and Kasia Wilk – one of the best voices in the country – brings soul-pop energy and maturity to the project. At Next Fest, they will perform with a full, expanded band, presenting their greatest hits in completely new arrangements," city officials announced. Almost all the artists performing on stage have already been announced, but the excitement will continue until spring. " The 33 Records competition, with a record contract at stake, is still ongoing – the three finalists will join the festival program, and their names will be announced after March 15th. There will also be a Next Award final. Who will follow in Wiktor Dyduła's footsteps? Listeners will choose the winner, and prizes await the best band," the release added. The upcoming Next Fest Music Showcase & Conference will take place from April 16th to 18th at several venues across Poznań. Around 100 artists will perform. The event will also include an industry conference. Details of the program and information about the initiative can be found on the organizers' website. The event is organized by Good Taste Production. The festival is co-organized by the Musical Theatre in Poznań. The main partner is the City of Poznań, and the strategic partner is CK Zamek. Co-financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage as part of the Creative Industries Development Center's own program: Creative Sector Development.
Poznań marks 128th anniversary of 'transport revolution'
On March 6, 1898, the first electric tram ran onto the Poznań tracks.
Electric trams replaced horse-drawn trams, creating a true transportation revolution in our city. "Electric trams finally began running in our city. Traffic was therefore heavy throughout the day," wrote the "Dziennik Poznański" newspaper describing this groundbreaking event.
"A reminder of those years in Poznań is the rebuilt Bergische Stahlindustrie Type I motor car from 1898 – a true gem among MPK's historic rolling stock. During the summer season, it runs along the H line tourist route, along with a Carl Weyer WD trailer car," the Voivodeship Government reminded last year.
Initially, trams operated in Poznań on three lines. They were marked with colors – white, red, and yellow. They connected, for example, the Main Railway Station and the Old Market Square. Today, it's hard to imagine Poznań's public transport without trams.
New trains to serve Poznań on Polish tracks
PKP Intercity begins celebrating its 25th anniversary and announces the "Niepieszny" project.
The carrier will launch the "Niepieszny" (Unfastened) train service, where the speed of travel won't be the main focus, but rather the atmosphere of the journey. "It's a sentimental journey back to the 1980s, full of nostalgia stemming from the train's layout, which uses locomotives in historical colors and classic carriages with original 1980s equipment, which will evoke fond memories of past journeys for many passengers," PKP Intercity emphasizes.
The trains will be visiting all voivodeships under names such as "Sawa," "Góral," and "Krasnal." This is expected to be a true feast for train enthusiasts and nostalgic travelers. "The Niepieszny train consists of historic rolling stock, which has made a mark on the history of Polish railways. The route will feature classic, olive-colored 1st and 2nd class carriages (112Ag, 111Ag, 111As, 110Ac, 609A), offering approximately 200 seats per route. The meticulous renovation was carried out by PKP Intercity Remtrak at its facilities in Idzikowice and Warsaw, combining historical character with the comfort of contemporary travel. The train will be led by true legends of Polish rails: the unique EP05-23 "Czesio" electric locomotive, the iconic "Siódemki" (EU07-005, EP07-201, EP07-544), and the EP08 "Świnka" and EP09 "Epoka" series locomotives. This is a must-see for enthusiasts of old railways and technical history. WARS will reign supreme in the Type 113A dining car, with a menu inspired by past journeys. Traditional Polish dishes and beverages evoking the flavors of decades past will complement the atmosphere of this unique journey.
The first run is scheduled for April 17th. Ticket sales will begin in the second half of March. A map presented by the carrier indicates that the train will also arrive in Poznań, serving routes to Szczecin, Zielona Góra, Warsaw, and Olsztyn, among others.
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