In summer, Pomorskie turns into a Mecca for festival fans. Every year, crowds flock to the region to take part in events related to music, art, and modern experiments with form.
Open’er Festival opened us the door to big international events, broke the stereotypes about Poland, and is now bringing up another generation of festival fans in music democracy. Still, Pomorskie does not live by Open’er alone but welcomes artists of a variety of fields – music, art, theatre, regional cuisine, and time travel. And these are only examples of exciting attractions awaiting visitors in Pomorskie in summer.
Hail, variety!
Tricity is renowned for its openness and hospitality, thus attracting innovation and even exoticism. In late July, Gdynia holds the 15th edition of Globaltica World Cultures Festival. It is one of the most dynamic and colourful music festivals in this part of the country. From the very beginning, the festival has been promoting openness to the world and its cultural pluralism. The event takes place in the lap of nature in the heart of Tricity, which only adds to its democratic nature.
In mid-July, Gdańsk hosts the 23rd edition of the International Festival of Street & Open-Air Theatres FETA. Flamboyant actors from all over the world will fill the city streets with extravaganza of colours, costumes, and masks. The festival combines high artistic value with accessible form. The events are open for general public, which makes it easy for spectators to be bitten by the theatre bug.
Another event that you cannot pass up is carefully prepared, renowned, and prestigious Gdańsk Shakespeare Festival. The festival has been held since 1999 and it initiated the European Shakespeare Festivals Network comprising Shakespeare Festivals in Poland, Romania, Hungary, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Armenia. It is an international festival that comprises performances from all over the world and artistic activities, workshops, and meetings with artists.
The most characteristic event in Gdańsk is St Dominic’s Fair (27 July – 18 August). Its tradition began over 760 years ago and nowadays, the fair attracts a few million visitors every year. One of its most spectacular attractions is the big wheel on Ołowianka Island. Thanks to its unique location, the wheel gives amazing views of the city panorama.
In late August, crowds of literature buffs from Poland and beyond flock to Sopot International Literary Festival to discover excellent reads and take part in inspiring discussions. The festival has been building its reputation for years. It offers ambitious and accessible experience of literature, accompanied by quality discussions and meetings with foreign writers. This year’s edition is dedicated to British literature.
The biggest summer folklore event is
Pomorze at large
There are plenty of tourist attractions outside Tricity, too. One of holiday highlights and the biggest summer folklore event is Wdzysze Fair in Wdzysze Kiszewskie, a town known for delicious fish, on 20 and 21 July. The fair has been held in the local museum since 1973. The programme of its 46th edition includes performances of folk bands, classical music concerts, shows of obsolete occupations, rural crafts, and traditional activities. Visitors will also have a chance to taste rare regional specialities, such as wafers, sourdough bread, goat and sheep cheese, liver sausages, smoked bacon, and dumplings as well as home-made nalewkaand craft beer popular in Poland.
On 27 July in the Charlotta Valley near Ustka and Słupsk there is Rock Legends Festival. The line‑up includes John Fogerty, for the first time in Poland, the Foreigner, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Status Quo, and a triple Grammy winner Los Lobos – also for the first time in Poland.
Vivat Vasa – the Battle of Two Vasas 1626 at the Gniew Castle on 10 August is a must for history buffs. It is a spectacular historical re-enactment of the 18th-century military science. The battle re‑enactment takes place in the castle and its surroundings, while the accompanying events are held in the city. There will be salvos of cannons, duels of noblemen, and drills of foreign contingent regiments. Get ready for a day filled with excitement and entertainment.
