Magazine It's greate to be here 2026

Ponadczasowa architektura

Timeless architecture

Niezmienione krajobrazy

Untouched landscapes

Autentyczne lokacje

Authentic locations

przez kino

zaangażowane społecznie, through socially engaged cinema

po produkcje o międzynarodowym zasięgu. to productions with an international reach.

You are invited to discover the passions and talents of the Region's residents and its tourist proposal in the constellation of good places in Kujawy and Pomorze

Piotr Całbecki Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region

JAKUB GIERSZAŁ

The actor spent much of his life in Toruń. It is here, in his mother's hometown, that he grew up and was educated in Middle School No. 11 and General Secondary School No. 5. He gained recognition for his role as a troubled teenager in Sala Samobójców (Suicide Room), and went on to become an icon of dark, psychological productions. In 2025, he played the role of a serial killer in the TV series Langer, which followed his portrayal of an unconventional investigator in the acclaimed thriller entitled Kolory Zła: Czerwień (Colours of Evil: Red). Owing to his roles in the Chyłka series and Jan Holoubek's Doppelgänger. Sobowtór, for which he was nominated for the Orły Polish film awards, he is widely regarded as one of the leading contemporary film actors.

On the crime trail

Today, Kujawy and Pomorze are emerging as a major stage for Polish crime stories. However, instead of the grim atmosphere of actual police records, the region focuses on literature and film that intrigue tourists and allow residents to view their neighbourhood from a completely different perspective. It is here that the traces of fictional investigations lead through actual streets and squares, and the film sets are no longer a background to events, becoming a key to solving mysteries in stories which are gripping until the last page or film take.

AGNIESZKA ZUKIERSKA

Native Bydgoszcz resident who has transformed her passionate love for her city into expert tour guiding. She is the author of themed routes, such as the “crime trail”, through which she reveals the less face of the town on the Brda River to visitors – from medieval witch trials to daring robberies in the interwar period. As an enthusiast of art, pop-culture and cosplay, she brings in new energy to activities aimed at popularising regional history. The second edition of guided tours as part of an event called “Escapade – Under Detective's Magnifying Glass – on the Trail of Crime Fiction in Bydgoszcz” was held in April this year.

Over the last few years the Kujawy and Pomorze region has fully earned the title of the capital of Polish genre fiction and crime fiction culture. We have proven that crime fiction can be a powerful tool to promote a given place, as we can discover its story and atmosphere anew through the lens of fascinating intrigue. From the atmospheric streets of Chełmża and the vibrant Bydgoszcz of the 1970s to the Brodnickie Lakeland, idyllic and yet full of mysteries – our regional “crime trail” is actually a reflection of the extraordinary passion of local authors

THE GENRE FESTIVAL

One of the most important points on the Region's “criminal” map is Toruń, the Copernicus Regional Public Library to be specific. It is the venue of an event which is unique at a national scale – the Polish

Crime Fiction Premiere and Debut Festival “Kujawy and Pomorze Crime Stars” – a perfect opportunity to promote literature. The event goes beyond the frame of traditional author's meetings, becoming a space where science is combined with literary fiction. The workshops and lectures taking place as part of the Festival are aimed at demonstrating crime fiction also as a pretext for getting insight into human behaviour and the surrounding world. Thanks to the participation of renowned experts (e.g., Prof. Marcin Zdrenka, a philosopher and ethicist, or dr Andrzej Wolan from the Faculty of Chemistry at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń) visitors have a chance to perceive literature from a new perspective. Specialists invited to participate in discussion panels analyse, for instance, the moral dilemmas faced by the protagonists and the technical aspects of investigations, showing that contemporary crime stories can provide

In 2025, the Crime Fiction Star Festival hosted an international celebrity writer, Johan Theorin, one of the most renowned Scandinavian authors. The writer is a recipient of the Glass Key Award, called the “Scandinavian Oscar” of crime fiction, following in the footsteps of previous winners such as Jo Nesbø and Stieg Larsson.

GABRIELA PAWLINA, AUTHOR (second on the left) AND KAROLINA BOROWIEC-PIENIAK, EDITOR (third on the left)

Winners of 2025 crime fiction debut award. The awarded novel entitled Trzy (Three) is a disturbing story set in Low Beskids Mountains, inspired by true events. Pawlina created a moving study of guilt and egotism in which Commissioner Robert Ceglarski tries to unravel a network of dark mysteries. The author received a commemorative statuette and a prize of PLN 25,000, thus joining the prestigious club of previous competition winners: Grzegorz Dziedzic, Julia Łapińska, Przemysław Kowalewski and Michał Zgajewski.

an opportunity to explore difficult questions about the nature of good and evil, to mention just one example. The culminating point of the literary festival is the Crime Debut of the Year Award granted by the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region – the most important accolade for writers at the onset of their career as crime fiction authors. The most recent edition of the contest received 26 book submissions. The editors of the winning books have also been awarded since 2024. Robert Małecki, a well-known and highly valued writer from Toruń, is the programme director, keeping an eye on the Festival's

content quality. He is the winner of numerous distinctions, including the 2019 High Caliber Award, granted by the Association of Crime and Action Fiction Enthusiasts “Skeleton in the Closet”. In his thrillers, the author recreates the topography of Toruń, Chełmża, and Grudziądz with surgical precision. The descriptions of Chełmża Lake or the chill of fog over the Vistula River in his novels are so suggestive that they are almost physically experienced by readers. Małecki skilfully develops the image of the region as a place characterised by deep and melancholic identity, which attracts tourists seeking the literary tracks of crime. The

Every year Lipowo is a meeting place for the fans of Katarzyna Puzyńska's books. The event includes field games, tours of places related to the saga or knowledge tournaments. Each edition of the event brings together hundreds of visitors to Kujawy and Pomorze, all eager to meet fellow enthusiasts of their favourite literary genre.

pretext for this was provided during a three-day convention addressed to the fans of Commissioner Gross – a fictional police officer from the criminal department of local Police, known to the readers from the so called, Chełmża series, including Skaza (Flaw), Wada (Defect), Zadra (Splinter) , Zrost (The Scar) and Skrzep (The Clot). A TV series entitled Zmora (Nightmare) was based on one of his novels. The thriller is set in Toruń which constituted a real-life background for the story. The plot is focused on a journalist (played by Magdalena Cielecka) investigating the disappearance of her childhood friend. The series was directed by Łukasz Jaworski for the Max platform.

OUR REGION IN BOOKS

Kamila Cudnik is another person who brings in new energy to the Toruń universe. The graduate of the 1st Secondary School of General Education and the Faculty of Law at the Nicolaus Copernicus University builds on her professional experience in police structures to provide exceptional credibility to her novels, such as the Toruń Trilogy (including volumes entitled W cieniu twierdzy (In the Shadow of the Fortress), Rytuał (The Ritual) and Oczy małej dziewczynki (Young Girl’s Eyes)). In turn, Marcel Woźniak, in his series featuring detective Leon Brodzki (e.g., in such books as Powtórka (Repeat) and

PAULINA PAWLEWICZ

Initiator of walks called “Toruń’s Dark Secrets”. The programme, set in the historic reality of the city, focuses on the history of Toruń’s executioners, the penalties that were imposed, places of execution, and blood-chilling murders. It effectively combines dark humour with sound historic knowledge, attracting hundreds of people attending evening tour, which include places inscribed on the UNESCO list.

ŁUKASZ ORBITOWSKI

The author of Inna dusza (A Different Soul), winner of Polityka's Passport award and Nike Literary Award nominee. The story is set in Bydgoszcz and is based on actual events – a series of shocking murders committed by a teenager in the 1990s. The writer recreates the topography of the Fordon district, transforming this estate of concrete-slab apartment blocks into a claustrophobic scene of tragedy and skilfully capturing the unique atmosphere and reality of Poland’s post-1989 transformation period.

ANETA JADOWSKA

Toruń-based best-selling author, known for her expert approach to the crime-comedy genre. In her “Graces” trilogy (including Zagadka martwego wydawcy (Dead Editor's Mystery)), she portrays the fate of three generations of women with humour. She remains one of the most ardent promoters of her hometown, which she has turned into the backdrop for numerous literary mysteries.

Mgnienie (Blink)), describes the darker face of Toruń's Old Town with great attention to detail, bringing old reallife crime stories to fiction, including the case of the “Toruń Hammer Killer”. Bydgoszcz can boast equally strong representation, led by dr n. med. Maciej Klimarczyk. This renowned psychiatrist and expert witness can combine his medical knowledge of the human mind with literary fiction in a masterly way. His novels, such as Śpiewaczka (Singer) or Prokuratorka (Prosecutor), provide publicity to the city upon the Brda River, as a modern, intellectual centre of the region, where science and culture go hand in hand. Hanna Szczukowska-Białys creates a similar atmosphere in her book series featuring Commissioner Bondys, composed of such titles as Robaki w ścianie (Worms in the Wall), Męczennicy na płótnie (Martyrs on Canvas), and Węże na ziemi, Węże na niebie (Snakes on the Ground, Snakes in the Sky). The author describes Bydgoszcz and Świecie of the 1990s with nostalgia and great attention to detail. The picture is completed by the work by Małgorzata Grosman who brings back the memory of the architecture and society of interwar Bydgoszcz in her retro-style crime stories, such as Mord na Zimnych Wodach (Murder in Zimne Wody) and Horoskop Zbrodni (Horoscope of Crime)

The phenomenon of Lipowo saga by Katarzyna Puzyńska is an exceptional example of the influence of literature on local development. The writer who has chosen Brodnickie Lakeland for her home, has made the villages there, in particular Pokrzydowo, the setting for the plot of her books. Although Lipowo itself is a fictional place, Lake Bachotek or Zbiczno Commune are as real as they can be, becoming the destination for trips organised by the fans of her fiction from across the country. The author's collaboration with local authorities resulted in the development of the “Trail of Puzyńska’s Novels”, consisting in twenty educational boards with quotes from her books, leading tourists from the

Blogosphere Constellation (Konstelacja Blogosfery) is a unique initiative for book influencers, accompanying the Festival. During the event, Toruń welcomes book bloggers and Instagram creators, forming part of the Social Media Crime Fiction Campus.

legendary kiosk run by Honorata from her novels to the building of the police station described there. Katarzyna Puzyńska's strong ties with the region are also reflected by a mural featuring the writer, created thanks to the cooperation between Zbiczno Commune, Prószyński i S-ka publishing house and Legimi website.

CITY ON FILM SHOTS

An important endeavour undertaken in Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region was a film entitled Morderstwo w Filharmonii (Murder in the Philharmonic), first screened in 2026. The director, Maciej Hydr, set the plot of this crime story in 1978 and chose for the film set the iconic interiors of the Bydgoszcz Philharmonic and the surrounding area with characteristic urban architecture, for instance the “Pod Orłem” Hotel building or the town houses in Cieszkowskiego Street.

The production has become a project integrating local community. Around a hundred extras from Bydgoszcz participated in concert scenes. Regional enterprises and artists were also engaged in the project. For instance, “Derred” tailor's studio prepared the costumes and Józef Eliasz, Bydgoszcz-based musician, composed the soundtrack. The project received support from the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Regional Government and funding from the Kujawy-Pomorze Film Fund.

KRZYSZTOF P. CZYŻEWSKI

This Toruń-born lawyer specialises in intellectual property law and film law, supporting the development of such productions as 1670, Wielka Woda (High Water), Chyłka, Jestem mordercą (I’m a killer), Filip, or Furioza. He combines his legal expertise with a great passion for history in literary work, as an author of widely read historic novels with a crime story in the background: Izabela. Świat w płomieniach (Izabela. World in Flames), Izabela i sześć zaginionych koron (Izabela and Six Missing Crowns) and Ostrakon –Da Vinci i Kopernik, spotkanie, o którym Watykan wolałby zapomnieć (Ostracon – Da Vinci and Copernicus, a Meeting the Vatican would Prefer to Forget). He is keen on exploring the unsolved mysteries of the past, which is reflected in his mystery-laden creative work.

JAN B. BEŁKOWSKI

In his first novel, Krew pod kamieniami (Blood under Stones), this writer, born in Włocławek, is giving investigators leads related to the murder of a Head of a Toruńbased museum, where old photographs and a medieval treasure of the Order of Dobrzyń turn out to be the key to truth. His next novel, Mroczne Wersety (Dark Verses) is an ingenious satire on the publishing industry and the world of contemporary media. Bełkowski adopts a tongue-in-cheek approach to describe the efforts of police officers looking for a missing author, at the same time mocking coaches, image consultants, and the crime fiction writers themselves. His books are filled with irony and situations in which crime is intertwined with the absurdities of everyday life.

KRYSTIAN PESTA

This actor from Toruń has become an icon of contemporary Polish crime stories. Known for his moving role as Horst Zeiger in the series Behawiorysta (Behaviourist) and his appearance in iconic Belfer. In 2026, he played the lead role of Andrzej “Zyga” Grabowski in a feature film entitled Pojedynek (Duel), cementing his status as one of the most talented actors of the young generation with ties to the region.

BOGUSŁAW LINDA

A Toruń-born actor and an absolute legend of Polish crime and action cinema, he is best known for his role as Franz Maurer in Psy (Pigs). He confirmed his mastery in more recent productions, playing ruthless Commissioner in the TV series Paradoks (Paradox) or the sombre “Babcia” in Pitbull. Nowe porządki (Pitbull. New Order)

Bydgoszcz also served as the filming location for Jan Holoubek's award-winning spy drama Doppelgänger. Sobowtór (with Jakub Gierszał in the lead role). The film used the picturesque bank of Brda and the sculpture called ”Man Crossing the River”. The urban architecture successfully posed as Dutch Groningen, depicting the Western atmosphere of the 1970s in an excellent way.

It is not the only example of the region in the lens of genre authors. The iconic TV series Belfer (The Teacher) turned Chełmża into fictional Dobrowice. The scenes that were shot on the beach, in the narrow streets of the old town or in a restaurant currently known as Mistral, contributed to the oppressive atmosphere of the town. Another equally suggestive place was Nieszawa which played the title town in the TV series Lipowo. Zmowa milczenia (Lipowo. Conspiracy of Silence), based on the best-selling saga. The medieval monastery and the only side-wheel ferry in Poland have become the background for the plot which highlighted the charm of areas upon the Vistula River to audiences across the country.

ADVENTURE FOR YOUNG DETECTIVES

Younger fans of crime mysteries are also not deprived of fictional intrigue and related attractions. The series entitled Kocia Szajka (Cat Gang), although written by an author from outside the region, is focused entirely on Toruń in a volume about “gingerbread forgers”. Thanks to the book, children from all over Poland are acquainted with the Museum of Toruń Gingerbread, the Planetarium

FILM MIASTO (The City), directed by MARCIN SAUTER

A dreamlike crime noir in which Bydgoszcz emerges as a fully fledged protagonist, rather than merely a static backdrop for events. The film, which was shot in Bydgoszcz Old Town, uses architecture and the Brda river bank to build the atmosphere of mystery and existential unrest. The star cast includes Karolina Gruszka, Robert Więckiewicz, and Bartłomiej Topa. The production was co-financed from the Kujawy Pomorze Film Fund.

or the Artus Court, while solving a mystery which is a lesson of respect for local crafts and traditions.

The activities of the House of Toruń Legends, where the boundary between reality and fiction is blurred, supplement the city's extensive proposal. This unique institution, combining the characteristics of an interactive museum and theatre, offers an original programme called “Sightseeing with crime mysteries” which elevates crime cultural tourism to a completely new level. Under the care of an experienced event organiser and guide, adults and

young people over 12 years old are no longer spectators, becoming fullyfledged detectives. During a twohour-long investigation the Toruń old town transforms into a giant open-air escape room where participants solve grim mysteries based on authentic, historic facts about the city. The figure of a charismatic Legend Guardian amplifies the atmosphere of mystery and danger waiting in the shadows of Gothic town houses. This way, history is no longer a mere account, but becomes a vivid and emotional experience which is impossible to forget.

Robert Wichrowski, an artist who comes from Bydgoszcz, is the director of the crime series Archiwista (Archivist). It tells the story of Henryk Mikos, an archive employee with an extraordinary memory who solves long-forgotten crimes, assisted by police officer Zuza.

KORNELIA BOROWSKA-BESZTA

A doctoral student at the Nicolaus Copernicus University, combining her passion for Physics and Astronomy with state-of-the-art graphic techniques. Her works are abstract interpretations of phenomena taking place in the universe, such as gravitational waves. Following the success of her diploma project entitled “Cosmic Lights”, for which she was awarded the Tymon Niesiołowski Medal, the artist received the scholarship of the City of Toruń for her “Cosmic Movements” project. This graphical story about the movement of planets refers to Nicolaus Copernicus's heritage and demonstrates how young art draws from science.

Art of the young generation

In Kujawy and Pomorze young people are becoming increasingly bold in bringing their artistic ideas to life – in music, literature and visual art initiatives originating from genuine passion. From large to small stages, from workshops to community projects in small towns – artists of the new generation exploit their potential for creative and inspiring activities with professional support from local institutions.

ADRIANNA ROPELA

A rising jazz star, whose talent was brought to national attention through the TV show The Voice of Poland. The vocalist from Kashubia has chosen to build her future in Bydgoszcz as a student at the Academy of Music. In 2025, she won the prestigious Grand Prix at the Energa Ladies’ Jazz Festival, cementing her position as one of the most fascinating artists of the younger generation.

In the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region, music plays a special role. This is clearly visible in Bydgoszcz which joined the prestigious UNESCO Creative Cities Network in October 2023, as the sixth city in Poland and the second (after Katowice) in this field of art. The prestigious title and the possibilities it brought with it have become a chance for young talents. It is as part of the comprehensive programme “Bydgoszcz UNESCO City of Music” that a youth project called “Songs about Important Things” was implemented. The students from Sokrates International Primary School, supervised by educators from the Municipal Culture Centre in Bydgoszcz, created eleven pieces in which

they shared their fears, joys, and observations. The culminating point of these all-year efforts was a concert in Opera Nova. In 2026, young artists made a public presentation of their original works, touching upon such issues as friendship, love, tolerance, or the painful experience of peer hate. The success of the show, which was co-financed by the KujawskoPomorskie Regional Government, proved that music may become an excellent platform for building communities and dialogue between generations.

At the same time, in the 2025/2026 season, the Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz opened a new chapter in its history in a state-of-the art campus in

BŁAŻEJ BESZCZYŃSKI

A student at the Artur Rubinstein State Schools of Music and an outstanding young bassoonist. His talent has been recognised across the Atlantic through a scholarship from the Luzerne Music Center in the United States. A winner of the 2025 Silesian Wind Instrument Contest and Ministry of Culture scholarship holder, he regularly gives concerts at the Pomeranian Philharmonic.

In 2025, the KujawskoPomorskie Regional Government allocated PLN 70 million from the Marshal's budget to projects for children and young people, including dance classes, art workshops, as well as trips to cinemas and theatres.

Jerzego Godziszewskiego Street. This architectural gem of the region has become a perfect venue for organising the “New Start. New Star” Festival, as part of which students perform together with such household names as Rafał Blechacz or Soyoung Yoon. The facility is bustling with life not only during grand symphonic concerts. It is the venue of regular jazz evenings called “AkaDemo”, a perfect opportunity to promote talents from the Jazz Department. In early 2026, Konrad Jagiełło, a saxophonist, Jan Szczurek, a pianist, and Jakub Skruszewicz, a trombonist, presented their skills as part of the event.

TALENT IN WORDS

Literature and the art of translation resonate equally strongly in the region, serving as a tool for the young generation to make sense of today’s world. The extraordinary linguistic proficiency of students based in Kujawy and Pomorze was demonstrated in finals of the “Translation Master” Nationwide Competition, held in Włocławek in March 2026. The contest, requiring perfect language skills, and most of all literary competence, confirmed the young people’s excellent preparation. Special attention should be given to students from schools in Kujawy and Pomorze, Amelia Braun from the 4th Secondary School of General Education in Włocławek and Helena Dobecka, representing

LITEROBRAZKI CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK FESTIVAL

The event has been part of the cultural landscape of Kujawy and Pomorze for 15 years. The

in Bydgoszcz hosts literary, art, and comic book workshops led by renowned artists.

and book fairs, all of which attract large numbers of young visitors.

the 9th Secondary School of General Education in Bydgoszcz, who were ranked among the top three in the German language category.

Young artists are reaching for the pen increasingly often, to express their emotions, voice their point of view, or explore their roots. One of the winners of the Bydgoszczhosted competition “The Joy of Writing” was Radosław Majda from the Secondary Technical School of Forestry in Tuchola, whose mature poetry earned high praise from the jury. In turn, the most recent edition of the “Word and Identity” contest showed that literature has the power to join generations and nations – this year's edition, focused on creative

work related to emigration, attracted not only local authors but also young people representing the Polish diaspora.

MASTERS OF IMAGERY

The engagement of young artists contributes to the thriving field of modern visual arts, including graphic design, illustration, and comic books. A special place among the prominent talents is held by Julia Piechna from Świecie, a prize-winning artist and recipient of the Grand Prix of the 19th Polish Art Competition “My World”, as well as multiple scholarships from the Mayor of Grudziądz. Her style stands out due to the extraordinary precision of her linework and its narrative

Katarzyna Chlebek from Bydgoszcz, recipient of a scholarship of the Marshal of the KujawskoPomorskie Region, is the winner of the “New Constellations” programme aimed at promoting the work of young composers. She earned her distinction for a piece entitled “Mercury”.

A student of Media Art and Visual Education at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the Nicolaus Copernicus University, winner of the City of Toruń Scholarship for 2026. He is implementing the project entitled “Lokalnik – Film Chronicles of Toruń”. The initiative consists in recording a series of video interviews with the residents of the city of Copernicus. The undertaking combines visual arts with the region's literary heritage in a creative way, drawing on the legacy of renowned figures from Toruń, such as Samuel Bogumił Linde.

The representatives of the Chełmno Culture Centre dominated the WAMT World Championships in Czech Teplice in 2025. They competed against girls from Hungary, Romania, Croatia, France, Slovakia and the host team. In the open baton category, Nadia earned the champion title and Julia came second, while they won the gold medal as a duo. The success was completed by the all-around junior medals (Julia's silver, and Nadia's bronze medal). The team’s strength is also demonstrated by the grandsenior (world championship) and senior titles (second runner-up).

The Very Young Culture Programme is a project that gives young people the opportunity to bring their initiatives, including artistic projects, to life. The Municipal Culture Centre in Bydgoszcz, as the operator of “Branch Culture Centre”, provides mentors and funds. Thanks to workshops, talents are transformed into actual activities, and young people are given professional tools to implement their projects and promote their unique creative work.

character. This young artist's works often resemble panels from graphic novels, serving as a commentary on the fears and dreams of her generation.

In turn, traditional easel painting in a new form is represented by Wojciech Lis, this year’s holder of a scholarship awarded by the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region. This student, originally from Żnin and currently at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, treats paintings as a medium of memory, depicting the motifs of youth and the atmosphere of smalltown neighbourhoods, seamlessly blending them with distinctive pop culture aesthetics. His methods were applauded, for example, during the prestigious 13th Triennial of SmallScale Painting at the Wozownia Art Gallery in Toruń, and some of his works became part of the official collection of the Pałuki Land Museum.

MOVEMENT AND EXPRESSION

Youth culture is also about movement and intense physical effort, which are transformed into art at a world-class level. KujawskoPomorskie Region also boasts a strong representation of dancers

STYLERS DANCE STUDIO

During the WADF 2025 World Championships in Płock, the young dancers from the Youth Culture Centre No. 5 in Bydgoszcz (a team trained by Agnieszka Sikorska) won numerous gold medals. The champion's titles were awarded to, i.a., Antonina Gutowska (solo mini kids), a kids’ trio, composed of Vanessa Szałkowska, Zuzanna Habecka and Pola Gutowska, and junior trio: Laura Borowicz, Martyna Dworzecka and Zuzanna Obara.

with outstanding achievements. Tymoteusz Korczyk and Olga Stachowiak, representing the Fabryka Tańca dance school, are the true pride of Bydgoszcz. They were only 15 when they became Polish champions in 2023, and three years later they conquered the international dance floor, winning gold medals in Latin and standard dance in Bulgaria. Filip Kosicki is another one to write an incredible success story. This 20-year-old graduate of Bydgoszcz Construction Secondary School has been honing his skills in Dance Crew and is a current International Dance Organization World Champion in the Solo Adults category. He started

his adventure with dance with hip hop and breakdance, and later moved on to winning the highest accolades in the Disco Dance category.

Dance rhythm can also be heard in Toruń, where the Mix Toruń team from Primary School No. 10 share their energy in the picturesque Old Town streets. In May 2026, under Anna Wasiłek's leadership, the group demonstrated that dance is a power capable of uniting entire generations. Their performance of the viral “Let Me Be” challenge instantly conquered the Internet, becoming not only an online hit but also a vivid proof that the city of Copernicus is thriving with genuine passion.

The “Art of Choice” programme, aimed at promoting creative forms of education and preventive activities, has been implemented in Kujawy and Pomorze for years. The 2025 campaign, organised by the KujawskoPomorskie Regional Government, the Regional Police Headquarters and the Tumult Foundation, gave young people an opportunity to present original posters addressing the dangers of addiction.

A young Bydgoszcz-based director and cinematographer and a recipient of a scholarship from the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region. A graduate of the K. Kieślowski Film School, he is a winner of the Silver Tadpole at EnergaCAMERIMAGE as well as laureate of awards in Gdynia and Koszalin. He is a member of the Bydgoszcz Film Chronicle. Thanks to his scholarship, he is preparing a film entitled Podróże bez powrotu (Journeys with no Return), a drama about the moral dilemmas faced by a young ambulance driver, inspired by actual events. The author focuses on the psychological dimension of choices made in extreme situations.

A talented young sculptor and a student at the Secondary School of Arts in Włocławek. He continues to develop his passion for clay, which has resulted in achievements in the Stanisław Zagajewski Nationwide Sculpture Competition. In the 18th edition of the event (2026) he was awarded the first prize in the secondary school category, demonstrating his artistic maturity and excellent technical skills. His talent had been noticed earlier, when he won the third place in the 17th edition of the event, as an 8th year primary school pupil.

An interesting opportunity to showcase writing talents was provided as part of the prestigious competition “They Created our History” organised by the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Regional Government, the Regional Education Authority, and the Archive and Home Army Pomeranian Museum Foundation. It is addressed to primary and secondary school students. The initiative is aimed at documenting local history through the memories of witnesses and family archives.

The region can also take pride in the success of Zosia Łukaszewska, representative of the Akrobatyka ADA Świecie club and a student at Primary School No. 1, who earned the World Champion title in acrobatics during the Pole & Aerial World Cup – in 2025, at just 8 years old, she won the gold medal in Bologna, Italy.

MEETINGS FOR THE YOUNG

Youth culture is also about movement and intense physical effort, which are transformed into art at a world-class level. KujawskoPomorskie Region also boasts a strong representation of dancers with outstanding achievements. Tymoteusz Korczyk and Olga Stachowiak, representing the Fabryka Tańca dance school, are the true pride of Bydgoszcz. They were only 15 when they became Polish champions in 2023, and three years later they conquered the international dance floor, winning gold medals in Latin and standard dance in Bulgaria. Filip Kosicki is another one to write

YOUNG DESIGNER'S ZONE

A companion event to Bydgoszcz Design Days 2025, organised at Rother's Mills. As part of the zone, in collaboration with the Bydgoszcz Trade Schools, workshops led by designer Szymon Kot and a fashion show prepared by the students were held.

an incredible success story. This 20-year-old graduate of Bydgoszcz Construction Secondary School has been honing his skills in Dance Crew and is a current International Dance Organization World Champion in the Solo Adults category. He started his adventure with dance with hip hop and breakdance, and later moved on to winning the highest accolades in the Disco Dance category.

Dance rhythm can also be heard in Toruń, where the Mix Toruń team from Primary School No. 10 share their energy in the picturesque Old Town streets. In May 2026, under Anna Wasiłek's leadership, the group

demonstrated that dance is a power capable of uniting entire generations. Their performance of the viral “Let Me Be” challenge instantly conquered the Internet, becoming not only an online hit but also a vivid proof that the city of Copernicus is thriving with genuine passion.

The region can also take pride in the success of Zosia Łukaszewska, representative of the Akrobatyka ADA Świecie club and a student at Primary School No. 1, who earned the World Champion title in acrobatics during the Pole & Aerial World Cup – in 2025, at just 8 years old, she won the gold medal in Bologna, Italy.

Since 2003, our region has hosted the “Arlekinada” Nationwide Festival of Small-Scale Theatre Forms. Held in Inowrocław, the event promotes amateur youth theatre and a wide range of performances – from drama and poetry to experimental theatre.

PROF. DR HAB. BARBARA BOJKO

An outstanding medical analyst and pharmacist from the Collegium Medicum Nicolaus Copernicus University in Bydgoszcz, she is one of the leading researchers in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region. Her work is revolutionising modern oncological diagnostics through the implementation of unique, minimally invasive solid-phase microextraction techniques (SPME). She has developed a breakthrough solution using microprobes that enable rapid biochemical analysis of tissue without the need to extract physical samples for testing. This innovative method reduces the diagnosis time for brain tumours to just a few minutes, allowing surgeons to make critical decisions already during the course of an operation. Her achievements, recognised by the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region in the category of “Science and Technological Progress,” have a tangible impact on patients’ lives.

A region of big ideas

For generations, Kujawy and Pomorze have been the birthplace of solutions that are ahead of their time and transform everyday life. The technical breakthroughs of the past now serve as the foundation for cutting edge projects in such fields as medicine, industry, and science. With a combination of rich tradition and strong research talent, the region is becoming a leader in new technologies. But equally important are the stories of people whose out-of-the-box thinking still fuels the innovations of today.

JAN CZOCHRALSKI

Born in Kcynia, he is regarded as the father of modern electronics and the most cited Polish scientist. His key invention – the Czochralski method – makes it possible to produce single crystal silicon, without which processors in smartphones and computers would not exist. With this, he laid the foundations of the digital age. He also developed the B-metal alloy, which was a breakthrough for railway applications, as well as everyday products such as shoe polish and nasal decongestant powder.

The history of inventiveness in Kujawy and Pomorze begins long before the era of silicon and optical fibre. Even at the turn of the 19th century, places such as Toruń were home to ideas centuries ahead of their time. This city was the birthplace of Samuel Thomas von Soemmerring, a prominent physician and anatomist, and a man of many talents, famous for discovering the macula in the human eye. In 1809 in Munich, he demonstrated one of the first working electrical telegraphs. His invention was ingeniously simple and was based on the phenomenon of water electrolysis. The device consisted of 27 wires corresponding to the letters of the alphabet and digits. Electricity running through the wires caused

the formation of gas bubbles in an acid-filled vessel on the receiving end, which allowed the messages to be read flawlessly. Although his telegraph did not achieve widespread adoption due to difficulties with cable insulation, Soemmering went down in history as a pioneer of modern communication. In the following century, in Bydgoszcz, Władysław Paciorkiewicz fulfilled his dream of creating the first Polish typewriter. In 1921, he opened a factory manufacturing the famous models “Pacior” and “Idea” which were every bit as good as their American bigbrand counterparts. He created an innovative replaceable type segment which allowed writing in different alphabets. Although the inventor died prematurely in 1925, his work – the paragon of pre-war technical thinking

MAREK RÓŻNIAK

Bydgoszcz-based company Darpol and Dariusz Jasiński have developed an innovative railway horn with an anti-freezing system. Created in cooperation with Gdańsk University of Technology, the invention prevents signal blockage caused by frost, ensuring reliable warning signals in all weather conditions and improving railway safety.

The CEO of Mzuri World from Śmielin in Nakło County, he is the creator of the groundbreaking Mzuri Pro-Til technology—a strip-till one-pass farming system. His patented invention significantly improves agricultural work by enabling the simultaneous cultivation of narrow strips of soil, precise fertilisation, and seeding in a single machine pass. This solution helps preserve soil structure, effectively retains valuable moisture, and promotes natural carbon sequestration, making cultivation more climate-friendly.

– is still a source of pride for the National Museum of Technology and Bydgoszcz’s District Museum.

In the 1930s, Marian Rejewski made a groundbreaking contribution to world science. The Bydgoszczbased scientist used advanced mathematics to break the German Enigma cipher. Instead of relying on traditional linguistic methods, he opted for logical analysis, which changed the field of cryptology at the time. To automate and speed up the work, he developed the cyclometer as early as about 1934 and, in 1938, he designed the famous cryptographic bomb. It was these devices and his team’s discoveries that formed the foundation for later work of Allied cryptologists, which helped

bring a faster end to World War 2. Rejewski’s memory is still alive in Bydgoszcz – one of the city’s main streets and a school are named after him – and while walking around the city, you can see eye-catching street art on Gdańska Street or sit next to the cryptologist himself on a bench monument.

NEW THINKING IN AGRICULTURE

Kujawy and Pomorze have long been known for their innovative agricultural solutions. In 1882, engineer August Ventzki established a repair shop in Grudziądz. Thanks to his ability to assess agricultural needs, he soon transformed it into a thriving factory. After the success of the double-furrow plough, in 1898

Bydgoszcz native Bonifacy Cyrus was one of the first inventors in the world to construct a wind turbine in 1930 with a unique aluminium structure. The engine was sensitive enough to operate even in weak winds. Its purpose was to generate electricity for the inventor’s apartment building.

NOBEL PRIZE LAUREATES IN SCIENCE FROM THE REGION

Ventzki made a genuine breakthrough – he patented a cultivator featuring a unique sprint-tine design. This brilliant solution employed S-shaped parts made of specially hardened, flexible steel. Thanks to natural vibrations, the tool was more effective at loosening the soil and would spring back from stones hidden in it, protecting the machine from damage. The invention greatly improved farming across Europe.

Ventzki’s factory, later known as “Unia”, became an export powerhouse that sent machines to distant countries such as China and the United States. The inventor’s legacy is still honoured in Grudziądz. In 2025-2026, the contemporary “Unia” factory is implementing smart precision seeding systems based on ISOBUS standards, an international communication system that allows different agricultural machines to work together. Thanks to this technology, modern seed drills, using satellite navigation and real-time soil scanning, are able to distribute seeds with centimetre-level precision. This brings significant savings in raw materials and effective protection of the natural environment.

FOR THE GREEN TRANSITION

Today, the attention of the entire Polish transport industry is focused on Bydgoszcz, which has become a European hub for hydrogen

ALBERT MICHELSON

An inventor born in Strzelno and the first American Nobel Prize winner in Physics (1907). His key achievement was the interferometer – a device that splits a beam of light in order to measure distances with extreme precision. This invention made it possible to disprove the existence of the aether, thereby opening the way for Einstein’s theory of relativity. Michelson’s research also enabled precise measurements of the speed of light and stellar diameters, which today underpin technologies such as GPS navigation.

WALTHER NERNST

Born in Wąbrzeźno, a pioneer of physical chemistry and Nobel Prize laureate (1920). He developed the so-called Nernst lamp, which illuminated the Eiffel Tower and revolutionised lighting technology. He formulated the third law of thermodynamics, describing matter near absolute zero, which became a foundation of modern physics. His work underpins contemporary energy technologies and biophysics.

TADEUSZ REICHSTEIN

A biochemist and Nobel Prize laureate (1950) born in Włocławek. In 1933, he developed a method for synthesising vitamin C, making it inexpensive and widely available in the fight against scurvy. He also isolated adrenal cortex hormones, including cortisone, which is crucial in the treatment of inflammation and rheumatic diseases. His discoveries continue to save lives, forming one of the foundations of modern medicine and hormone therapy.

Prof. dr hab. inż. Anna Wenda-Piesik, Dominika Wolna, and Bartosz Retmański from the Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology developed the innovative SafePot plant pot, which –thanks to a unique bottom layer made of expanded clay –protects plant roots from rot and oxygen deprivation. In 2023, the team received a gold medal at the Bangkok invention fair for this invention.

PROF. DR HAB. GRAŻYNA DĄBROWSKA

An outstanding molecular biologist from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń and one of the leading inventors in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region. Her work combines plant genetics with modern biotechnology to create breakthrough environmental solutions. She is a co-author of innovative biological preparations that use fungi to accelerate plastic decomposition by 20%, helping clean landfills and oceans. She has also developed fully biodegradable agricultural films with tar-based additives of antibacterial properties, replacing harmful plastics. Her inventions, which have garnered awards from Silicon Valley to Morocco, have a real impact on reducing agricultural chemicals and removing polymer waste from the environment.

technologies in rail transport. Local company PESA is currently delivering key contracts for series-produced hybrid trains (HEMU). These zeroemission vehicles, funded by the National Recovery Plan (KPO), use hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, and pantographs. Through intelligent energy management, they provide an effective response to the challenges of operating on non-electrified lines, providing top travel standards without environmental impacts.

In Toruń, Apator is taking the lead, and in 2026 it will deliver several hundred thousand smart meters to Energa-Operator group. This brings Poland’s power grid closer to full digitalisation, which is

legally required by 2030. Advanced energy management systems and energy storage solutions have become key parts of the company’s portfolio, enabling grid stabilisation and the effective integration of renewable energy sources across the region.

These changes are complemented by the “Go4ECOPlanet” investment at the Kujawy Cement Plant (Holcim Group). The nearly PLN 2 billion project is a pioneering industrial carbon capture installation. Its aim is to fully decarbonise cement production, positioning the region among the leading hubs of sustainable construction and advanced heavy industry in the European Union.

MEDICAL INNOVATIONS

The most spectacular achievement of the region’s medicine in recent years is the work of Professor Maciej Harat from the Oncology Centre in Bydgoszcz. The distinguished neuro-oncologist has received a grant worth nearly PLN 74 million for a clinical study on the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma. The project is unique on a global scale, as it combines three advanced technologies: molecular PET imaging using a specialised tracer, precision radiosurgery, and tumour treating fields (TTFields) therapy. The last of these involves electrodes attached to the patient’s scalp, which generate an electric field that disrupts cancer cell division. Importantly, the therapy allows patients to maintain normal daily functioning – participants in the study can work, walk, and even engage in sports.

At the same time, at Kazimierz Wielki University, a team led by dr. hab. inż. Izabela Rojek is working on a mechanical rehabilitation robot known as an arm exoskeleton. Thanks to funding from the National Centre for Research and Development, the researchers are developing a device that uses artificial intelligence algorithms to adapt exercise programmes to the patient’s current health condition. The robot learns muscle responses and is able to support movement where it is weakest, enabling professional rehabilitation in a home environment. This represents a breakthrough for thousands of people recovering from injuries and neurological conditions – patients for whom commuting to medical facilities is often an insurmountable barrier.

An important addition to the regional map of medical innovation is Poland’s first ventilator, designed at the Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology under the supervision of Professor Tomasz Topoliński. Work on the device began in 2020 as a rapid response to the needs of the pandemic. For this outstanding achievement, the team

FRESH INSET

A Toruń-based technology company whose success is built on the synergy between science and business, developed by a team of outstanding researchers led by dr Andrzej Wolan. An international group of experts from Poland, the USA, and South America developed the breakthrough Vidre+™ technology in a Toruń laboratory. This invention, in the form of intelligent stickers, releases a substance that blocks the biological signals responsible for ripening and spoilage of fruit, vegetables, and flowers. As a result, produce retains freshness significantly longer without loss of quality. This addresses the global problem of food waste.

DR HAB. INŻ. JOANNA PACIOREK-SADOWSKA

Prof. Prof. at the Kazimierz Wielki University, a leading Bydgoszcz scientist revolutionising the plastics industry. As head of the Institute of Materials Engineering at UKW, she focuses on the chemistry of polyurethanes – materials used in mattresses, furniture, and building insulation. Her work involves implementing “green chemistry” and replacing toxic components with safe alternatives. She has developed innovative methods for producing foams from recycled materials and natural additives such as tree bark and mustard oil. Her discoveries made these materials environmentally friendly and safer for humans. She has been awarded the prestigious “Woman Inventor” prize by the World Intellectual Property Organization and gold medals at international invention fairs in Paris, Nuremberg, and Katowice.

PROF. DR HAB. JACEK KUBICA

Head of the Department of Cardiology and Internal Diseases at the Collegium Medicum Nicolaus Copernicus University in Bydgoszcz, an outstanding cardiologist and inventor whose work improves cardiovascular prevention. His breakthrough invention is a patented device for non-invasive assessment of endothelial function. Using a cuff-based system, it evaluates vascular response to controlled ischaemia within just 15 minutes, enabling early and cost-effective detection of heart attack and stroke risk. For his contributions to interventional cardiology and innovative diagnostics, he was awarded the Medal of the Mayor of Bydgoszcz in October 2025.

Professor at UMK, a distinguished scientist from the Department of Histology and Embryology at the Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz and Vice-President of the Polish Histochemical and Cytochemical Society. As an inventor, he has gained international recognition for developing an innovative intravascular stent that revolutionises interventional cardiology. His solution has received gold medals in Japan and Paris and was also awarded in Silicon Valley. The stent precisely adapts to the vessel wall, while its functional coatings inhibit restenosis and simultaneously accelerate healing at the implantation site.

of engineers and anaesthesiologists was awarded the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region’s Prize in the category of “Science, Research, and Technological Progress.” The Bydgoszcz ventilator is distinguished by its intuitive interface and an innovative Emergency Mode, which – similar to an AED defibrillator – guides the operator through voice commands. Although it did not enter mass production (due to the stabilisation of the COVID-19 situation and limited demand for lower-cost alternative solutions during the crisis), the device remains a milestone for the Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology and a testament to the effectiveness of the local research team, which has since resulted in new research grants for the university.

MATERIALS OF THE FUTURE

Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, holding the status of a research university, is a leader in the development of nanotechnology. A true scientific breakthrough has been the patented three-dimensional graphene roses, developed by a team led by dr Piotr Kamedulski and Prof. Jerzy Łukaszewicz. This is an innovative method of producing graphene structures, which are harder than steel while remaining extremely lightweight and highly conductive. The material is already finding applications in supercapacitors and next-generation fuel cells, offering performance significantly superior to traditional carbon materials.

In the private sector, the Toruńbased company Noctiluca S.A. is achieving global success. An interdisciplinary team from Toruń, led by dr hab. inż. Mariusz Bosiak, CEO and Chief Technology Officer of the company, has solved the problem of the short lifespan of the blue subpixel in OLED displays. Their proprietary material, NCEIL-4, extends display lifetime by 100%. In 2025 and 2026, the company confirmed these results in industrial

MGR INŻ. ZBIGNIEW SZCZEPAŃSKI

A leading inventor from the Faculty of Mechatronics at Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, whose work sets new standards in engineering. He specialises in additive manufacturing and 3D scanning, and his achievements regularly win top awards at international innovation fairs, including in Japan, Taiwan, and France. He is a co-creator of a breakthrough method for producing polyurethane breast prostheses based on precise digital body mapping. This invention significantly improves the lives of post-mastectomy patients by enabling perfectly customised prostheses that provide unprecedented physical and psychological comfort. He has also developed mobile automated scanning systems and innovative industrial moulding techniques, bridging the gap between virtual modelling, medicine, and industry.

testing with leading Asian companies in China and Taiwan. Today, Noctiluca cooperates with eight of the world’s ten largest display manufacturers.

A REGION OF YOUNG TALENT

Innovation is also a defining feature of many students from primary and secondary schools in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region. The “My Innovative Invention 2025” competition for young people has revealed talents worthy of the 21st century. First place was awarded to Hanna Kalinowska from Toruń for her smart sleep-monitoring pillow. The device, equipped with biomedical sensors, analyses sleep phases and optimises rest conditions, fitting perfectly into modern trends in health-supporting technologies. Second place went to Emil Borkowski from Grudziądz, who designed an automatic plant watering system controlled by a microprocessor,

promoting water conservation in households.

Support for young technology enthusiasts is also visible at the Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology. The e-WIM project attracts hundreds of students who, under the supervision of researchers, build their own electric vehicles and compete on professional obstacle courses while learning the principles of eco-design and modern mechatronics. It is also here, in newly opened laboratories dedicated to 6G technology and digital forensics, that the foundations of a secure internet of the future are being developed. The university trains specialists in cybersecurity who, thanks to an internship programme within the Bydgoszcz IT cluster, become experts highly sought after on both the national and European labour markets.

Jan Wójcik, a robotics and automation student at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, created a robot in 2024 that solves a Rubik’s Cube in one minute using only 20 moves thanks to proprietary algorithms. In the future, the young inventor aims to focus on designing software that improves everyday tasks, such as controlling household devices.

ŁUKASZ KARMOWSKI

An agricultural entrepreneur from Radzicz (Nakło County), winner of the 2024 Beef Cattle Producer of the Year Award in the Breeder category. His 500-hectare farm combines production with innovation, based on worldclass genetics and the transfer of American embryos, representing a pioneering approach at the national level. He maintains a herd of 800 cattle, including the highly valued Beefmaster and Black Angus breeds. His focus is on the highest animal welfare standards, with livestock kept in a loose housing system on deep bedding and with access to outdoor yards.

Natural solidarity

In the rural areas of Kujawy and Pomorze, tradition is combined with an innovative mindset. Today, agriculture goes beyond mere food production, becoming the foundation of partnerships that bring farmers and urban consumers closer together. The local community proves that joint action and mutual trust are the most effective way to ensure the development of a modern region.

“SUMMER IN THE COUNTRY – A FESTIVAL OF TASTE AND TRADITION” FAIR

An annual event organised in Minikowo, it provides an opportunity to promote local food, including also specialities prepared by rural women’s associations, organic products, and handicrafts. The event also features a gardening fair with exhibitions of tools, equipment, and garden furniture.

The “Community-Backed Agriculture” movement is an extraordinary example of solidarity and effective cooperation. It is a concept through which consumers become co-farmers, by, for example, providing farmers with financial stability before the beginning of the season through advance payments for a share in the yield. In return, buyers receive regular supplies of fresh produce. The success of this idea is demonstrated by the activities of the “Dobrzyńskie warzywa” vegetable farm from Dobrzyń upon the Vistula. Managed by Adrianna Augustyniak and Bartłomiej Kembłowski since 2014, the farm has become the largest initiative of its type in Poland in terms of recipient base. Across five hectares of land, the owners use sustainable farming methods to grow dozens of vegetable varieties, which are delivered in fresh parcels directly to families in Toruń and several districts of Warsaw each week. The initiative not only shortens the

“farm-to-table” route but also contributes to building relationships, unveiling the secrets of farming world to urban residents.

SUPPORT FOR OTHERS

Another interesting type of community-focused activities in the region are the efforts of members of the Association of Welfare Farms (Stowarzyszenie Gospodarstw Opiekuńczych, SGO), based in Tuchola. Their model of support for senior residents and people with disabilities is based on the therapeutic effect of contact with nature and animals. The organisation’s flagship initiative is the “Autumn at the SGO” project which ran until June 2026 and was aimed at the inhabitants of Cekcyn, Gostycyn, Lubiewo and Śliwice Communes. The programme offered comprehensive support covering health workshops, creative workshops and physical culture classes. In such places as “Augustynka” agritourism establishment in Tuchola, participants have a chance to benefit

FRYMARK BYDGOSKI MARKET

A fair of organic, regional and handicraft products running for 12 years, is an icon of rural-urban cooperation in the region. Every Sunday on Gdańska Street in Bydgoszcz, around 50 exhibitors offer food products directly from producers, including traditional baked goods, goat and cow dairy products, cold cuts, honey, and seasonal fruit and vegetables. Direct contact with producers eliminates intermediaries, allowing consumers to build relationships based on trust and knowledge of product origins. The event promotes consumer patriotism and the authentic flavours of Kujawy and Pomorze.

“SUMMER WITH FOLKLORE IN KOCIEWIE”, ŚWIECIE

An annual event organised as part of International Meetings with Folklore by local culture centres and the commune government. Performances by domestic and international song and dance ensembles (including groups from Europe and Mexico) are a permanent feature of the programme. The key part of the event is co-created by rural women’s associations and local exhibitors showcasing regional cuisine, handicraft and jewellery. The official competition for rural women’s associations “The battle of the regions PL” is also held here regularly as part of a nationwide campaign #BuyConsciously (#KupujŚwiadomie).

Kujawsko-Pomorski e-bazarek (e-marketplace) is a free web platform which allows farmers and rural women's associations to independently promote their products. Thanks to the platform, consumers may find suppliers of honey, cold meats or organic vegetables in their neighbourhood, without leaving their houses.

from professional rehabilitation under the care of physical therapists, but most of all to actively participate in the farm’s daily life, from herbal workshops to joint preparation of food preserves. This form of activity provides an effective and original way to counteract exclusion.

The social responsibility of agriculture is complemented by educational farms whose mission is to build respect for the land and farmer's work among the youngest generations. These are centres that use a hands-on approach to disseminating knowledge of ecology, traditional professions, and the cultural heritage of rural areas. The establishments that belong to the network provide access to crops and farm animals to visitors, offering a lesson on nature and history. This is the operational framework of Ekogościniec “Pachotówko” agritourism farm in Dąbrowa Chełmińska Commune. The farm specialises in ecological education, the cultivation of vegetables and herbs, and the breeding of oat geese, as well as the ecological breeding of traditional species, such as the green-legged partridge hen or Guinea fowl. During the workshops, the participants have a chance to explore natural food production processes and the benefits of sustainable farming. An additional attraction is a show presenting regional traditions,

AGRICOLA – SON OF LAND

Awards of the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region honouring leaders who set the highest standards in agriculture. The accolades promote state-of-the-art technologies and community engagement, building the prestige of the farming profession as the guardian of regional heritage and high-quality products from the countryside of Kujawy and Pomorze.

During the 2026 gala at the Horzyca Theatre in Toruń, the following laureates were honoured – first prizes went to Romana Dworek from Chomiąża Szlachecka (entrepreneurial and socially engaged woman category), Juliusz Młodecki from Radzicz (traditional farming category) and Emil Białecki from Świerkówiec (agricultural innovation category).

for example, the preparation of meals according to old family recipes passed on from generation to generation.

RURAL WOMEN’S AND MEN’S ASSOCIATIONS

Contemporary rural life in Kujawy and Pomorze boldly challenges long-standing stereotypes about social roles. This is demonstrated by, among others, the first Rural Men’s Association in Rogarty (Zławieś Wielka Commune). The initiative was born out of the need to activate men in local villages in which the

existing community life has been centred around female organisations. Association members gained nationwide recognition thanks to projects blending entertainment with the promotion of local heritage. In July 2025, the association organised the second edition of the “Holiday Cucumber Pickling” as part of which a Polish record was established –380 people were simultaneously preparing pickles based on traditional recipes. The group's activities go far beyond spectacular campaigns. Exercising utmost diligence,

The Rural Women’s Association in Łubianka has been nurturing the tradition of the Toruń County since 1929. It is one of the largest organisations of this type in the region, bringing together around 100 members. The activities of the Alebabki ensemble is their hallmark. Their recipes were included in a publication entitled “Kuchnia z rodowodem” (Cuisine with a Lineage) by the Ethnographic Museum in Toruń.

„AKTYWNY ZAKĄTEK” RURAL WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION

A modern organisation joining passion to cooking and tradition with community work. Following their victory in the “Battle of Regions” in 2024, the group represented the region during a harvest festival in Spała. A key pillar of their mission is counteracting the isolation of seniors and implementing community-focused projects, such as the “chain of million hearts” prepared for the final event of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity in 2026.

The Władysław Grabski Agricultural Schools in Grudziądz celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025. The school, which has been supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2026, is a place where talents prepare for the challenges of Agriculture 4.0.

the gentlemen care about the authenticity of regional products, which resulted in entering their birch sap beverage, recreated from sources dating back to 1867, on the List of Traditional Products. Through projects such as the construction of the first Community Herb Garden, the Association members demonstrate that modern rural solidarity is above all about shared quality of life and the natural environment.

Such activities are regularly acknowledged by the KujawskoPomorskie Regional Government. Tokens of recognition include, for example, Marshal’s Awards, granted during the Harvest Academy, an official gala which took place in Osada Karbówko Hotel in Elgiszewo on 28 October 2025. Awards were granted to village councils and Rural Women’s Associations engaged in

fostering community development and the protecting traditions. In a competition entitled “Countryside clubs – what's happening here?”, aimed at strengthening intergenerational relationship and disseminating the knowledge of the region, the winners were “KGW Fajne Babki” (rural women’s association), KGW Wronowo Kujawskie Maki and associations from Sokołów, Stronno and Piotrków Kujawski. In turn, Grzybno, Konojady and Mleczkowo villages were honoured for their creativity in promoting the customs of harvest festivals, as part of a competition called “Inventive harvest festival entrance decorations 2025”. It is such grass-roots initiatives that make the countryside in our region a friendly place to live, and tradition remains a natural and valuable part of Kujawy and Pomorze.

MARCH 1981 IN BYDGOSZCZ – A LESSON ON SOLIDARITY

Today’s modern rural areas, full of passion and innovation, would not have existed without the unwavering stance of those who were fighting for the empowerment of farmers years ago. 2026 marks the 45th anniversary of the events that took place in Bydgoszcz in March 1981, which secured their place in history as one of the most important moments that reshaped social relations in Poland. It is in the heart of our region that a unique unity between workers and farmers was born, and the idea of “Solidarity” passed its hardest test, laying the foundations for the strong position rural communities hold today. Everything began on 16 March 1981 in the office of the United People’s Party on Dworcowa Street in Bydgoszcz, where a 33-day occupation strike was launched to fight for the registration of the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union of Individual Farmers

“Solidarity” (NSZZ “Solidarność” Rolników Indywidualnych). The turning point came with a brutal intervention by the militia and special units of the Ministry of the Interior, during which Jan Rulewski, Mariusz Łabentowicz and Michał Bartoszcze were severely beaten. News of violence spread across the country during the Warsaw Pact military exercises “Sojuz’81”, significantly increasing the risk of violent suppression of social protests. The determination of activists not only united the nation, but also, according to historians, influenced the subsequent political situation, delaying the introduction of the martial law. The strike ended on 17 April 1981 with the signing of the Bydgoszcz agreement, negotiated with the support from Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński. Thanks to the arrangements, authorities undertook to legalise the Rural “Solidarity”, which was finalised on 12 May 1981.

MICHAŁ GRABIANKA

An iconic figure of Rural “Solidarity” in Kujawy and Pomorze. He was engaged in the development of trade union structures in rural areas since 1980, editing clandestine press and organising key protests, including the strike in “Cukrownie Toruńskie” sugar factory. He was detained and kept under surveillance by security forces for his unwavering stance.

In 1989 he served as the spokesman of the reactivated trade union. Today, as the initiator of the Council for the Remembrance of Solidarity Self-Governing Independent Trade Union of Individual Farmers at the Marshal’s Office of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region, he is still committed to making sure that the contribution of rural communities in Poland's regaining of independence is duly documented and honoured.

IN MEMORY OF PAST FARMERS

In the 1939 Pomeranian Crime Victims’ Remembrance Park, there is an installation dedicated to farmers and landowners. A sculpture by Zbigniew Mikielewicz refers to farmers’ hardship in an austere way. Its main element, made of black granite, evokes abruptly interrupted ploughing, which symbolises the tragic fate of rural residents in the first months of the war. The adjacent field, where cereals are sown each year, is also a vital part of the commemoration. This natural cycle of sowing and harvesting creates a “living memory” of the region’s past farmers, combining history with the traditional rhythm of fieldwork. The place reminds visitors that the contemporary identity of the countryside in Kujawy and Pomorze stems from a deep attachment to the land.

DR HAB. RENATA TOMASZEWSKA

A Professor at NCU and winner of the prestigious 2026 Equality Leader title in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region, awarded as part of the 5th edition of the Polish “16 Equality Leaders” competition. She has combined outstanding scientific work with active efforts for empowering women, serving as Rector's Representative for Gender Equality. Her oeuvre includes 15 books and over 130 scientific papers published in Poland and abroad, establishing her as a renowned authority in the field of labour education studies and andragogy, a sub-discipline dealing with the education of adults. She is also the originator of innovative degree courses combining management, personal development, and the application of artificial intelligence.

Strength has a woman's face

UNWAVERING HEROINES

The history of Kujawy and Pomorze is largely a chronicle of extraordinary fate of women who have secured a permanent place in history, not only at the regional level, but also at the national and international level. The region's heritage was created by women who were not afraid to blaze new trails. Their life stories still form a point of reference and inspiration for subsequent generations of the Region's residents. It is necessary to mention Pola Negri – a global star of silent cinema who embarked on a journey from the small town of Lipno to conquer Hollywood, proving that great ambition can take you very far. Helena Grossówna followed in her footsteps. Although she is associated with the glamour of pre-war Warsaw as the “most beautiful smile of the capital city”, her journey began at the Toruń Ballet School and on the stage of the local Municipal Theatre. What is more, her stance as Lieutenant “Bystra” during the Warsaw Rising became the symbol of perseverance, joining the world of high culture with dedicated service for the homeland. A prominent position in the pantheon of acclaimed Toruń residents should be given to Gen. Elżbieta Zawacka „Zo”. The only woman in the elite group of Silent Unseen paratroopers and a legendary courier of Home Army Headquarters illegally crossed the Third Reich border over one hundred times. Another figure that resounded globally was the physician Wanda Błeńska called the “Mother of Lepers”. This graduate from Female Secondary School in Toruń provided aid to people suffering in Uganda for several decades. In turn, Grudziądz can boast Karola Skowrońska, the only woman with the title of honorary Calvary Captain and the custodian of memory about cavalry traditions. These are only a few examples from a long list of women whose achievements still prove that ambition and strength of character of the Region's female residents have no limits.

From grand cinema screens, to war trails, to state-of-the-art laboratories, global business and local activism – the women living in Kujawy and Pomorze have been setting the rhythm of their Region for decades. It is a story about women who, thanks to their knowledge, determination, and passion, not only change our daily lives but also make sure that our regional identity continues to thrive.

The same energy that drove the pioneers of the past now enables contemporary residents of the region to shape their reality. The Kujawy and Pomorze Council of Women, appointed as an advisory body within the Regional Executive Board, is an interesting platform for collaboration among leaders. Its establishment in 2024 was a response to the actual need to integrate efforts for equality and employment support. The Council operates as a team of practitioners, composed of representatives from science, business, and culture. It is chaired by Anna Wołek, Director of the Kujawy and Pomorze Music Theatre in Toruń. She is supported by Vice-Chair, Barbara Ostrowska from the Bydgoszcz WSG University, and Secretary, Karolina Wielka representing the medical circles. Instead of limiting themselves to providing official

IGA SARZYŃSKA

The owner of “Iga Sarzyńska Wzrusza Toruń” brand, a business owner who has elevated traditional gingerbread making to the status of contemporary art. As the winner of the prestigious “Businesswoman of the Year” title (in a competition organised by "Sukces Pisany Szminką” website), she combines her passion for crafts with visionary design and collaboration with artists. Her products have become a new, luxurious showpiece of the region. She balances business success with a social mission – as the co-initiator of Toruń Charity Ball, she actively supports the residents of local children's homes.

opinions on resolutions, the team of 28 members is taking actual action. One of the examples is a series of Regional Meetings of Active Women under the theme of “Strength of Kujawy and Pomorze Female Leaders”, which brought together over 250 participants from nearly 50 villages and towns in March 2026. It is where the innovative formula of “business speed dating” was introduced, allowing immediate contacts between business owners and NGO activists.

At the same time, at the city level, the Toruń Council of Women has become a model of effectiveness, having completed its first three-year term in March 2026. Under the leadership of Agata Chyżewska-Pawlikowska, a well-known community activist and founder of grass-roots feminist initiatives, the Council has become a platform of real influence on the city's life. During the three years of their activities, 28 content-packed meetings were held, resulting in the development of recommendations for programmes aimed at counteracting homelessness and requirements concerning women safety in public sphere, including restriction of alcohol trade at nights. One of the Council's most notable achievements was the creation of “Herstory” profile to bring back the memory of outstanding Toruń residents, building the identity of the new generations of women living here.

GREAT MINDS

Universities in Kujawy and Pomorze are also thriving as modern centres in which successful women confidently keep pace with global trends and are actively engaged in the development of structures that support equality. One of the unquestionable icons of this approach is Prof. Katharina Bogusławski from the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. An outstanding quantum chemist and the winner of prestigious Dirac Medal, she is setting new directions in

DR HAB. JOANNA KUCHARZEWSKA, DR HAB. MONIKA WAŁACHOWSKA AND DR HAB. MAGDALENA BARWIOŁEK

NCU authorities include three scholars who combine the prestigious functions of Vice-Rectors with the achievements in their research disciplines. Prof. Joanna Kucharzewska, as the Vice-Rector for Promotion and Cooperation with the Social and Business Environment, is responsible for building relationships between the university, business circles, and the region. Prof. Magdalena Barwiołek is Vice-Rector for International Relations, focusing on the University's presence in international projects and programmes. In turn, Prof. Monika Wałachowska, as the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education, supervises the quality of education and the affairs of young university community.

developing methods based on tensor networks – precision modelling of complex particle structures. Her work is of fundamental significance for the future of pharmacology, allowing the design of new generation medications.

Breakthrough activities are conducted, among others at the Division of Regenerative Medicine at NCU Collegium Medicum, where Prof. Marta Pokrywczyńska, as one of a few in Poland, obtained a consent for the manufacture of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMP). Her team are working on tissue engineering with a view to regenerating the urinary bladder – it is a technology that provides hope to

cancer patients to return to health and improve the quality of their lives. In recognition of this achievement, they were granted the Award of the Marshal of Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region in 2025.

FEMALE BUSINESS

As for the economic sphere, women in Kujawy and Pomorze are not only market participants but also often leaders in industries that require a combination of long-term vision and artisanal consistency. It is at the intersection of traditional industries, state-of-the-art services and high quality design, that projects are born, becoming the showpiece of the Region in the country and abroad.

Aleksandra Łukomska-Smulska is the chair of the Toruń Branch of the European Union of Women and Vice-Chair of this Organisation's Polish section. Her goal is to increase the impact of women on political and civic life and to effectively protect their rights.

MARTA WALASIŃSKA

The founder of Beauty Business Academy from Inowrocław educates future beauty industry leaders in the sphere of strategy and profitability. The winner of prestigious BusinessWoman Awards 2025, she has over 15-years of experience in the beauty and luxury goods sector, moving up the career ladder from a brand manager, through marketing and e-commerce director, to a business owner. Her BB Academy is a unique space where she helps brands build their identity and market advantage. It has provided training to over 500 attendees and introduced over 1500 products on the market. The co-author of the first Polish comprehensive annual mentorship programme for the beauty industry “Beauty Strategy – from Chaos to Stable Business”.

Siła KobieTY (Woman's Strength) is a recurring project supported by the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Regional Government, aimed at promoting cancer prevention. Each year, 12 brave women – cancer patients – are invited to take part in a unique photo session. An exhibition of their portraits with a pink accent travels thought the towns of Kujawy and Pomorze, reminding residents of the importance of regular medical check-ups.

Anna Frelik, the owner of Auto Frelik chain of car showrooms, is a model of success in the automotive sector. Her company has been operating since the mid-1960s. The CEO continues to demonstrate that women's intuition and care eye for detail can be decisive sources of competitive advantage in the male-dominated automotive industry.

The prestige of the regional tourist and meetings industry has been built for years by Magdalena Hoffmann, the CEO of Hotel Copernicus Toruń. Under her leadership, the hotel has become one of the most important business centres in this part of Poland, attracting international events and building the image of Toruń as a modern and hospitable city. Her effective management stems from sound theoretical preparation – she holds a degree in Business Management from Queen Mary University in London and is a graduate in Hotel Industry and Tourism at the Poznań University of Physical Education. With over twenty years of experience in top hotel chains in Poland and Europe, she contributes to the growth of the local market. As the Vice-President of the Local

THE WOMAN'S FACE OF KUJAWY AND POMORZE

The competition, organised as part of the Femininity Forum in Bydgoszcz, is an initiative aimed at honouring regional leaders – women with passion, energy, and strength at every stage of their life. The laureates of the regional finals in 2025 were: in the category of Mature Women –Katarzyna Rodziewicz (Żnin County), the owner of a historic mansion in Sielec awarded for its renovation; in the category of Mothers – a scholar from NCU, for developing new-generation titanium medical implants; in the Daughters category – Marta Kramer (Brodnica County), known for her appearance in the Polish edition of “Farmer Wants a Wife”, developing her gardening and culinary passions in her farm.

Tourism Organisation in Toruń, she actively promotes the region at the international level.

The contemporary economic landscape of the region is completed by networking groups, such as “Business for Women”, who hold meetings which serve as an incubator for new bold projects. Entrepreneurial women regularly meet at Rother’s Mills in Bydgoszcz. It is where one of the most active groups are based and operate under the leadership of Joanna CzerskaThomas, owner of M4Bizz marketing agency and Justyna Tessa, co-owner of Tessa Dom. As for Włocławek, a frequent platform for women's business is Wieniec-Zdrój Health

Resort, represented by Hanna Cendrowska-Grządziel, actively supporting business and community initiatives in this part of the Region.

In turn, Wiesława Plucińska, a longstanding President of local Women Business Club, is responsible for the integration of the circles in Grudziądz, promoting enterprise development among the residents of her city upon the Vistula river.

SOLIDARITY IN ACTION

The leaders of non-governmental organisations are a vital part of women's strength in the Region. The “GINEKA” Association for Women Development from Bydgoszcz, led by Iwona Borkowska, is a model

“Businesswomen on a Catwalk” is an initiative of Kujawy and Pomorze Chamber of Commerce, as part of which local business leaders assume the role of models. In Hotel City in Bydgoszcz, they promote regional brands, combining networking with charitable objectives.

KINGA MICKIEWICZ-SCHLÉSINGER AND KINGA ŁUBIŃSKA

The founders of Nie Tylko Matka Polka Foundation. The organisation runs activities for counteracting violence and discrimination, empowering women and girls. It offers professional psychological and legal support, building a safe space for development without judgement or pressure. An example of its work is a project called “Women's Voice” aimed at people dealing with abuse and addictions, and “Aspergirls 2”, a series of workshops boosting the self-esteem and social skills among girls with ASD.

THE BUILDERS OF KUJAWY AND POMORZE

A social and cultural project implemented by the Regional Centre for Cultural Animation in Toruń, aimed at popularising the stories of women who built their local communities in Kujawy and Pomorze with determination. The initiative revives the memory of the everyday work carried out by women. Through stage performances, exhibitions, and workshops in 20 towns and villages, as well as the budowniczki.pl digital archive, the project makes women's experiences an integral part of shared identity.

of successful activism, promoting social economy as an effective tool for counteracting exclusion. GINEKA is not limited to ad hoc support. It also develops stable mechanisms that allow women at risk of marginalisation to regain their dignity and financial independence. In practice, the organisation focuses on supporting social enterprises and co-operatives which create new jobs for persons affected by vocational exclusion.

GodNiej Foundation, based in Niemcz near Bydgoszcz, is an equally important point on the region's map. The originators of the initiative are Anna Burdzelowsa-Kalbarczyk, Urszula Domańska and Daria Gralik, activists who use their specialist knowledge in midwifery, sociology and perinatal care in their daily work. The Foundation promotes the idea that every woman deserves going through the key stages of her life –from puberty, through motherhood, to old age – in a dignified and conscious way. It offers professional doula and midwife support, education as part of original-concept birthing schools, and workshops integrating mothers and women of all ages.

The most recent humanitarian challenges have demonstrated the causative power of Tatiana Dembska, the Head of Toruń-based “Dobra dla dobra” Foundation. Her most important initiative is the Polish-Ukrainian House. The place, officially opened in June 2023 with the support from Toruń authorities, evolved from a place of ad hoc aid into a space for support and dialogue. Today, the Foundation not only provides legal or psychological consultations, but, above all, runs a comprehensive programme of art workshops, vocational courses and intergenerational meetings which enable refugees to find safety and become fully independent in their new circumstances.

OUR IDENTITY

The efforts of women who remind us about our roots contribute to

Experienced culture managers who have managed the Artus Court Culture Centre in Toruń since 2023. Dorota Płoska-Grzybowska, who holds a degree in history from the NCU and has long-standing experience in the media industry, serves as the institution's Director. Kafka Jaworska, the author and long-standing Head of BellaTofifest International Film Festival, is responsible for the artistic proposal as the Programme Director. Starting from January 2024, the two leaders are bringing to life their original vision of the institution, merging its traditions with new festivals and interdisciplinary projects.

fostering the sense of regional identity. Krystyna Lewicka-Ritter, a popular journalist and activist, has been documenting the fate of women living in rural areas, combining tradition and contemporary times. Her mission is to bring back the memory of the region's culture. She presents a record of her activities in an award-winning book about a journey in Oskar Kolberg's footsteps. As the co-organiser of Myślęcinek Fair, she has been spreading knowledge of handicraft and the flavours of “local homelands” for years.

Justyna Makarewicz, the founder of Kcynia Audio Archive, is also a renowned guardian of local memory. Since 2012, she has been collecting digital memories, audio accounts and old photographs, safeguarding them from oblivion. As an ambassadress of social archives, she teaches residents to care for their memorabilia and to document their family history, i.a., through her original idea of “Family Memories Stop”. The meetings called “Curiosity about the World” and summer history tours bring the region's heritage closer to a wide audience.

“Women on Façades” is a unique initiative of Kujawy and Pomorze Education Centre in Bydgoszcz which invites residents to discover female motifs in architecture in 2025. During a tour led by Anna Maj, art historian, the participants learned about the symbolism and history of sculptures decorating the 19th- and 20th-century town houses in the city.

DAWID KILON

A Bydgoszcz-based ornithologist, illustrator, and nature educator associated with the Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology. His distinctive educational drawings can be seen on nature trails and in parks across Poland. He is the author of the impressive atlas Kilon’s Birds, in which he documented nearly 4,000 bird silhouettes found in Poland, as well as illustrations for the book The Superpowers of Our Animals. As an experienced guide, he has travelled from Arctic Spitsbergen to Antarctica. He shares his passion through drawing workshops and on social media on the page “Mówią, że potrafi rysować” (“They Say He Can Draw”).

Nature in focus

From the Tuchola Forest, through the floodplain forests along the Vistula, lake-district landscapes, and the microscale world of forest undergrowth, all the way to the star-filled sky – local photographers capture the region’s diversity with remarkable sensitivity. Their work not only delights regional audiences but also wins awards in prestigious competitions. The passion for documenting nature allows for a renewed discovery of the richness of Kujawy and Pomorze, becoming an opportunity to spread knowledge about the environment and to observe the changes taking place within it more attentively.

DANIEL PACH

A respected photojournalist for whom Polish nature is one of the most important subjects. He passionately captures wildlife, aerial landscapes, and local heritage. Recipient of numerous awards, including Grand Press Photo in the Nature category. His photo album Doors to the Landscape. Landscape Parks of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region, published by the regional government, received the Magellan Award for the best tourism publication In his work, he combines journalistic insight with artistic sensitivity. His images, often the result of long hours of waiting in the field, reveal the hidden treasures of the region.

The art of nature photography in Kujawy and Pomorze is flourishing, thanks in part to enthusiasts for whom exploring the secrets of the wild world has become far more than just a hobby. It is no coincidence that initiatives such as the International Festival of Visual Arts Inspired by Nature, “The Art of Nature,” in Toruń were born here, having hosted master photographers from around the world for years. The event includes both exhibitions and panel discussions, during which renowned artists share their knowledge of how best to capture the spirit of flora and fauna. Thanks to such meetings, we gain a better understanding of the forests, lakes, and river valleys that surround us, and learn to observe the lives of their inhabitants more closely.

DEVOTED TO NATURE

An important institution integrating the community of nature photographers is the Association of Polish Nature Photographers, with regional branches in the KujawskoPomorskie Region and Toruń. The organisation sets high ethical standards: the welfare of the subject and the integrity of its habitat always take precedence over the pursuit of a striking image. One of the figures best embodying this approach is Piotr Szumigaj. A forestry technician professionally associated with the Wda Landscape Park, he combines expert knowledge with artistic sensitivity. His exhibition Stories from the Hundred Acre Wood and his album What the Grove Murmurs: Tales from the Tuchola Forest are records of thousands of kilometres travelled in search of

KAMIL BILECKI

An employee of the Environmental Education Centre in Grudziądz and author of popular educational articles. He specialises in bird photography and urban wildlife. He is the author of photographs used in publications such as Feeding Birds in Winter. He actively promotes environmental education by organising field classes and workshops. His photos are published on Instagram and Facebook on the page “W Leśnym Kadrze” (“In the Forest Frame”).

“OUR FASCINATIONS” EXHIBITION

An event organised in 2025 at the “Orion” Cultural Centre in Bydgoszcz, created jointly by members of the Association of Polish Bird and Nature Photographers in Bydgoszcz and the Polish Nature Photographers’ Association. More than 40 photographs showcased the richness of the natural world – from bird portraits to atmospheric depictions of natural forces.

Photographers Jadwiga and Marek Czarneccy, with financial support from the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region, created the project “The Shape of Water”, presenting a unique perspective on the Vistula River. They documented 202 km of the river from an aerial perspective using drones. The result of 35 days of work revealed the changing riverbed, sandy banks, and the wild character of Poland’s queen of rivers.

that one frame which captures the true and moving face of a changing landscape. The president of the Toruń branch often emphasises that in nature photography, perseverance is key – waking before dawn, freezing in the reeds, and showing humility toward a world that cannot be controlled. Piotr Szumigaj is also the author of the famous photograph of ravens titled “Family Dispute,” which received a prestigious distinction in the National Geographic competition.

The head of the KujawskoPomorskie Region section is Marcin Woźniak, a photographer deeply connected to his home village of Osięciny. Although he trained as a chemical technologist, observing the region’s wildlife became his greatest mission. Through his lens, he carefully captures the world of birds and mammals, and his long-term field observations have contributed to coauthoring albums such as Landscape Parks and Protected Landscape Areas of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region. His outstanding compositional sense and artistic persistence have earned him numerous awards, including first place in the prestigious “Nature of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region” competition. He regularly shares

Professionally engaged in trade, he is a photography enthusiast in his free time. As a member of the Polish Nature Photographers’ Association, he documents wildlife without baiting or AI support, adhering to the principle of “pure nature.” He follows a strict preparation routine – from biotope analysis to scent control (his specialist clothing is stored in hay). A self-taught photographer, he sees forest photography as a form of escape from civilisation. He believes that patience and ethics matter more than the most expensive lens.

his expertise during school lectures, teaching young people attentiveness and respect for animal habitats. The results of his encounters with wildlife are also documented on his website, wildphoto.pl.

A similar passion can be found in the Miradz Forest District, where Paweł Kaczorowski works as a forester, supervisory engineer, and respected ornithologist. His path to photography was not straightforward; as a boy from a housing estate, he initially chose football, only later discovering the world of birds thanks

to a move to the outskirts of the city and reading Jan Sokołowski’s field guides. Today, he primarily documents the Miradz Forests and their feathered inhabitants. As a forester and field observer “from the front line,” his work also reflects on ongoing climate change – from severe water shortages in Kujawy to the effects of violent storms and hurricanes.

IMPORTANT DETAILS

Another prominent artist devoted to nature is Magdalena Majewska, a biologist and graphic artist who

Artists from the region also achieve significant success in the national competition Pearls of Polish Nature. In its eighth edition, first place in the “Other Animals” category was awarded to Andrzej Bizoń from Bydgoszcz.

SZYMON CHOJNACKI

A Bydgoszcz-based photographer specialising in night sky photography. In his work he captures stars, the Moon, and the aurora borealis, seeking locations free from light pollution – from the local region to the Bieszczady Mountains and as far as Norway. He actively promotes dark-sky protection, drawing attention to the problem of excessive artificial light that prevents us from observing the Milky Way.

In 2025, the Faculty of Biological Sciences at the Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz selected young nature photography talents. As part of the project “Generation Z on the Trail of Scientific Innovation, the competition “Through the Lens of Generation Z” was organised to promote ecological awareness among young people. First place was awarded to Zofia Witkowska from Secondary School No. VIII in Bydgoszcz.

has focused her attention primarily on slime moulds – one of the most mysterious forms of life. Her photographs, some of which were published in Salamandra magazine, reveal a world of organisms that in modern taxonomy are not classified as plants, animals, or fungi, but belong to the Amoebozoa group. Their sporangia are often less than 1 millimetre in height. By documenting this hidden world, the photographer demonstrates that the fascinating nature of the region also exists on a micro-scale.

Another master of botanical detail photography is Jakub Biewald, a graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, where he graduated with distinction in sculpture. It is precisely his academic background and artistic training that shape his unique approach to capturing nature in photographs. Biewald’s images feature rare plant species – such as the lady’s slipper orchid growing in local landscape parks – as well as their extraordinary textures and forms revealed through the play of light.

WHAT IS ABOVE US

When the sun disappears beyond the horizon, the passion for documenting

PIOTR GÓRNY

A mathematician and nature photographer whose work focuses on popularising knowledge about common songbird species. The year 2025 brought him significant international success: first place in the prestigious competition of the Swiss Ornithological Institute (in the “Emotion” category) and second place at the French Festival de l’Oiseau et de la Nature. His awarded photograph, depicting the shadow of a great tit on a maple leaf, was taken in the Jachcice district of Bydgoszcz. The author of numerous exhibitions (including in the Bieszczady National Park), he consistently combines artistic sensitivity with science, promoting the region on the global nature photography stage.

nature shifts toward the zenith. A remarkable figure in this field is Michał Rakowski from Toruń. Although professionally connected to international trade for nearly two decades, in his free time he becomes a patient chronicler of the night sky. His journey began with a radio programme about shooting stars, heard during a family trip back from a lake. That single impulse was enough to transform his childhood interest in cosmology into a lifelong passion that now allows him to reveal the mysteries of the universe hidden from the human eye.

The artist quickly discovered that while telescopic observations have

their charm, it is the camera sensor that can capture the faint light of distant galaxies, revealing details invisible even to the sharpest human eye.

This magic is what drives him to travel across nearby towns in search of the perfect frame, combining local landscapes with cosmic depth. What distinguishes him most, however, is his genuine desire to build a community of photography enthusiasts. On his blog and YouTube channel he not only publishes images but also shares experience and advice, believing that every day offers a chance to see the surrounding reality in a new way.

The photography and film competition “In the Frame of Nature” is an initiative aimed at students from schools in the KujawskoPomorskie Region. The project, implemented by the Toruńbased European Centre of Youth Cooperation under the programme “Kujawsko Pomorskie: I Am Eco”, encourages the documentation of local natural curiosities.

MATEUSZ KOŁODZIEJSKI

A high jumper representing Zawisza Bydgoszcz. As a junior, he achieved international success, winning a World Championships bronze medal and a European Championships silver medal. He entered the Toruń competition as the record holder with a personal best of 2.30 m, a result that propelled him into the world elite in February 2026. During his debut at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26, he finished 7th, becoming one of five representatives of the region in the Polish national team. With this result, the three-time senior Polish champion confirmed his permanent place among the world’s sporting elite.

The heart of athletics beats here

Kujawsko-Pomorskie is a region where athletics brings generations together. Thanks to strategic cooperation between major centres, modern infrastructure, and systemic support from local authorities, the region is emerging as a European hub in this field. This is where great sporting talents are born, world-class form is refined, and events take place that draw the attention of the entire world.

CEREMONIAL PARADE

On 20 March 2026, the World Athletics Indoor Championships officially began in Toruń. At 3:30 p.m., the city’s bugle call sounded, after which a colourful parade set off from the New Town Market Square towards the Town Hall. National teams from around the world marched through the streets alongside fans and residents, marking the opening of three days of competition.

The World Athletics Indoor

Championships

Kujawy Pomorze 26 are the culmination of many years of integrated regional effort. On 20–22 March 2026, Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena Toruń hosted approximately 700 athletes from 111 countries and the stands were filled with fans eager for grand sporting emotions. The opening ceremony, featuring concerts by stars such as Ray Wilson, Oskar Cyms, and Gromee, along with a colourful parade, was worthy of the Queen of Sports.

POLISH SUCCESS

Members of the national team – including athletes from Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region’s clubs – won a total of four medals. Although

the top performers train daily outside the region, it was here that they once developed their form. The strongest Polish highlight was Jakub Szymański (SKLA Sopot), who dominated the 60 m hurdles final with the result of 7.40 s. He has long treated the Toruń arena as his home track, regularly training there during national team camps.

A silver medal in the 400 m was won by Natalia Bukowiecka (previously competing under her maiden name Kaczmarek), representing the Podlasie Białystok club, who equalled her outstanding Polish record of 50.83 s, once again proving that the Toruń blue track suits her exceptionally well. She achieved strong performances in this very arena earlier in her career. Further excitement came from Pia Skrzyszowska (KS

MEDIEVAL BELL 100 DAYS BEFORE THE START

Matuszewicz, Adriana Sułek-Schubert, and Mikołaj Szczęsny

During the championships, there were: 2 world records (Simon Ehammer of Switzerland in the heptathlon, Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas in the 60 m hurdles), 6 indoor championship records, 12 worldleading results, 46 national records, and 174 personal bests.

AZS AWF Warsaw), who claimed bronze and set a new Polish record in the hurdles. The mixed 4×400 m relay finished third. Its members— well known to Kujawy-Pomorze venues—include: Kajetan Duszyński (AZS Łódź) – a regular competitor warmly supported at the Bydgoszcz Irena Szewińska Memorial and Toruń meets; Anna Gryc (AZS AWF Warsaw) – who consistently and successfully competes on the Toruń indoor track during national championships; Marcin Karolewski (OŚ AZS Poznań) – a frequent participant in athletics events in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region; and Justyna Święty-Ersetic (AZS AWF Katowice) – a multiple medallist at

major competitions, including those held in the region.

STRENGTH IN THE REGION

Bydgoszcz clubs played an important role in preparing the national squad. Adrianna Sułek-Schubert (Brda Bydgoszcz) competed in the pentathlon as one of the crowd favourites. Her achievements include silver medals at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade and the European Championships in Munich, which place her among the greats of world athletics. Her return to elite sport after maternity leave and her performance at the Paris Olympic Games became an inspiration for many, showing

THE CHAMPION’S HISTORIC TRIUMPH AND GREAT EMOTIONS

that parenthood is not a barrier to achieving the most ambitious professional goals. In Toruń, she fought hard in every event, finishing the competition among the leading athletes.

In the women’s 4×400 m relay, Marika Popowicz-Drapała, an icon of Zawisza Bydgoszcz, once again demonstrated her class. She entered the Toruń championships as a multiple European Championship medallist and one of Poland’s most decorated female sprinters, who in recent seasons has also adapted very well to shorter distances. As a seasoned leader, she has long been a mentor to younger athletes such as Anastazja Kuś and Klaudia Osipiuk.

In middle-distance running, the region was represented by Klaudia Kazimierska (Vectra Włocławek), participant of the Paris Olympics in the 1500 metres. Her performance in the Toruń arena demonstrated tactical maturity and remarkable endurance, which allowed her to compete fiercely with the fastest runners in the world. Kazimierska’s success is the result of many years of consistent training and experience gained in the prestigious NCAA Division at the University of Oregon.

Another key performance came from the home representative, Anna Matuszewicz of MKL Toruń. The Nicolaus Copernicus

American Cooper Lutkenhaus became the youngest individual gold medallist in World Indoor Championships history. At just 17 years and 93 days, he won the 800 m in Toruń, an unprecedented achievement. His victory helped the USA top the medal table.

PAWEŁ WOJCIECHOWSKI

The pole vaulter, throughout his career associated with Zawisza Bydgoszcz, claimed the most important titles: gold at the World Championships in Daegu and the European Indoor Championship in Glasgow. His personal best, an impressive 5.93 m, for years placed him at the top of world rankings. Although in 2024 he took his final jump and retired from sport, he has not given up on other activities related to sporting events. During the championships in Toruń, he played an important role as an event ambassador.

UNIQUE MEMORABILIA

The Museum of World Athletics (MOWA) exhibition accompanying the championships in Toruń was a unique opportunity to encounter the history of sport up close. At the Toruń Plaza shopping centre, visitors could admire memorabilia such as the spikes of Marcus O’Sullivan, 1500 m world champion from 1987, or the kit of Devynne Charlton, in which she won the 2024 world title and set a world record in the 60 m hurdles in Glasgow. One of the opening stars was Robert Korzeniowski, a four-time Olympic champion in the 50 km race walk.

The success of the World Indoor Championships Kujawy and Pomorze 26 is only the beginning of major athletics excitement in the region. Bydgoszcz is already preparing to host the combined European Championships in 2027 – for the U20 and U23 categories. This will be another major challenge, attracting thousands of young athletes and fans, confirming the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region as the European capital of athletics.

University student entered the championships on home soil as a newly crowned Polish record holder. Just at the beginning of February, she broke a 46-year-old national indoor long jump record with a phenomenal result of 6.77 m. At the Toruń Arena itself, during the March championships, she ultimately finished 9th, completing the competition with a result of 6.50 m. Although she did not reach her season’s best on home ground, she considered the experience of competing against the world’s best athletes invaluable preparation for the summer season.

Equally strong emotions accompanied the high jump competition, where all eyes were on Mateusz Kołodziejski of Zawisza Bydgoszcz. The young athlete made a spectacular breakthrough into the world elite in the 2026 season, highlighted by a personal best of 2.30 m set in early February at a meet in Hustopeče, Czech Republic. His qualification for the World Championships final and his competition against the world’s best high jumpers confirmed his readiness to contend for top positions in the seasons to come.

PRESENTATION OF MEDALS – WORLD INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS KUJAWY AND POMORZE 26

The medals for which athletes competed in Toruń were shaped like stars, emphasizing the region’s strong connection with astronomy. They also featured graphic elements related to the championships and scattered points forming the so-called “constellations of good places” known in the region. This unique project was created in cooperation with the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Tourist Organisation. The medals were first presented in February during a press conference attended by the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region, Piotr Całbecki, the championships director Krzysztof Wolsztyński, the head of ORLEN’s sports sponsorship office Paweł Patkowski, and athletes: Marika Popowicz-Drapała and Maksymilian Szwed.

COACHES OF OUR STARS

A true legend of the high jump is Włodzimierz Michalski of Bydgoszcz’s Zawisza club, who guided Mateusz Kołodziejski to his personal best. The coach also has a track record of preparing highly decorated athletes such as Sylwester Bednarek and has long been regarded as one of Europe’s leading specialists in this discipline. His approach is characterised by exceptional attention to technical detail, which translates into consistent performances by his athletes at major international competitions.

Equally impressive is the work of Jacek Butkiewicz from the Municipal

Athletics Club in Toruń. A former elite triple jumper, he was responsible for preparing Anna Matuszewicz for the championships. The coach knows what it takes to compete at the highest level – he is a multiple national champion in his own right, and his personal best of 17.05 m remains the sixth-best result in Polish history. Since the founding of the Toruń club, Butkiewicz has successfully translated his invaluable track experience into coaching practice.

A key athletics hub in the region is also Włocławek, where Agnieszka Nowakowska at the Vectra club has developed an effective system for

World Athletics named the Toruń event the best World Indoor Championships in history. Over 20,000 spectators attended the KujawskoPomorskie Arena Toruń. Around 70 broadcasters in 130 countries transmitted the competition.

FAN SPORTS VILLAGE

For three days, fans could follow broadcasts on large screens and meet athletes competing in the championships, such as Adam Kszczot or Jakub Szymański. For those interested, a professional Mondo track and jumping equipment were available at the New Town Market Square (Rynek Nowomiejski). Younger fans crowded the VR zone and AI photo booths, while food lovers enjoyed regional bigos and doughnuts prepared by rural housewives’ associations from across the region.

QUEEN OF SPORT ON STAGE

During the World Indoor Championships, Toruń celebrated not only in the arena but also in cultural spaces. On 14 March, a special premiere of the play Queen of Sport, directed by Jędrzej Wielecki, took place at the Horzyca Theatre. On the Studio Stage, actors portrayed the greatest icons of Polish sport: Irena Szewińska, Władysław Komar, and Janusz Kusociński. The creators presented their stories as a polyphonic narrative about ambition, friendship, and the need to push beyond one’s limits.

The Polish team consisted of 32 outstanding athletes, including five from the KujawskoPomorskie Region:

· Klaudia Kazimierska (Vectra Włocławek) – 1500 m,

· Anna Matuszewicz (MKL Toruń) – long jump,

· Adrianna Sułek-Schubert (Brda Bydgoszcz) – pentathlon,

· Marika Popowicz-Drapała (Zawisza Bydgoszcz) – 4 x 400 m relay, mixed relay,

· Mateusz Kołodziejski  (Zawisza Bydgoszcz) – high jump.

training middle-distance runners. She is known for her excellent tactical preparation of her athletes, making them capable of handling even the most unpredictable race scenarios.

SYSTEMIC SUPPORT

The foundation of all these achievements is the sports infrastructure, which – thanks to financial support from local governments – has undergone another stage of dynamic development, turning the region into one of the country’s most important athletics centres. The KujawskoPomorska Arena Toruń, following investments worth over PLN 16 million, has become one of the most modern indoor athletics facilities in Europe. The replacement of the track surface with a record-fast one, together with the installation of giant LED screens and modern sound systems, has prepared the venue to host major events such as the annual Copernicus Cup. Importantly, the arena has also become more

IRREPLACEABLE SPORT ENTHUSIASTS

The indoor championships in Toruń could not have taken place without the involvement of nearly five hundred volunteers. From 17-year-olds to seniors aged 70 – these sport enthusiasts ensured every detail of the largest athletics event in the region’s history ran smoothly. They worked in competition offices, media support, physiotherapy, and anti-doping control. This extraordinary group created an outstanding atmosphere for the event.

environmentally friendly thanks to the installation of photovoltaic panels and energy recovery systems. Meanwhile in Bydgoszcz, at the Zawisza sports complex, construction of a new athletics and shooting hall worth over PLN 84 million has been completed. The facility offers 6,500 square metres of training space, enabling year-round professional preparation regardless of weather conditions.

The modern infrastructure network extends beyond the largest urban centres, covering key locations across the entire region. In Włocławek, upgrades to the facilities around the Hall of Champions and the athletics stadium have created excellent conditions for Vectra’s runners. In Inowrocław, thanks to specialised infrastructure at the Stadium named after the Inowrocław Olympians, the city has become an important regional

centre for discus and javelin throwers. In Grudziądz, investments in rowing facilities and infrastructure for paraathletes representing the Start club have ensured world-class training conditions.

Such a well-developed infrastructure attracts not only local stars but also national teams from abroad, who increasingly choose Kujawy and Pomorze as their training base for major competitions. These achievements are supported by the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Regional Government, which consistently implements scholarship programmes providing financial stability to 139 of the most talented athletes in athletics, rowing, and cycling. In 2026, more than PLN 1.3 million was allocated for this purpose. The highest number of scholarship holders comes from clubs such as RTW Bydgostia, AZS UMK Toruń, and Zawisza Bydgoszcz.

“50 Relays of Kujawy and Pomorze” was a series of events held in the last fifty days before the World Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26. The programme included training sessions, tournaments, and sports activities across 24 disciplines, such as athletics, volleyball, football, basketball, canoeing, boxing, and field hockey.

BYDGOSZCZ “PODRÓŻNICY” FESTIVAL

Since 2011, this has been the largest celebration of globetrotting and exploration in the city. The festival’s mission is to share knowledge and inspiration regardless of participants’ age, budget, or travel experience. Its program features film screenings, photography exhibitions, workshops, and meetings with distinguished travel writers and explorers. A highlight of every edition is the presentation of the Tony Halik Awards, honouring the most inspiring travel projects.

Around the world in Kujawy and Pomorze

To embark on a fascinating journey, there is no need to leave the region. The Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region is a constellation of remarkable and unexpected places: from Pałuki regions villages of Wenecja (Venice) and Paryż (Paris), to the azure cliffs of Piechcin that resemble the Adriatic coast, to western-themed towns pulsing with the energy of the American frontier. These attractions tell stories of people who followed their passion to bring a piece of the wider world into the heart of Kujawy and Pomorze.

“PIĄTY OCEAN” TRAVEL FESTIVAL IN ŚWIECIE

Organised by the Society of Friends of the Świecie Region, this event focuses on travel and exploration. The first edition took place in 2017. Its mission is to foster passion among residents and inspire them to overcome barriers and prejudices through discovering different cultures, people, and places around the world.

Ajourney through this “world within the region” is best begun in Pałuki, where the concentration of internationally inspired place names is the highest in Poland. The most recognizable point on this map is Venice (Wenecja) in Żnin County. The name of the village, picturesquely situated on the narrow strip of land between Lakes Biskupińskie and Weneckie, is no coincidence. In the 14th century it was given by Mikołaj Nałęcz, then owner of the estate, after his return from studies in the Italian city of Venice. A nobleman, castellan of Nakło and district judge of Kalisz, he entered the history of Polish law as the first official to distinguish between the date of issuing a document and

the date of performing a legal act – an important milestone in the professionalisation of medieval administration. Among local people, however, he was known primarily as the Bloody Devil or the Venetian Devil. Legend has it that he was punished for his cruelty toward his subjects and his greed. To this day, his ghost is said to guard the treasures hidden within the ruins of the castle he built himself. Modern-day Wenecja is known not only for its dark legends but also for one of Europe's largest narrow-gauge railway museums, where steam locomotives – including one dating back to 1899 – create a scenery worthy of a historical film set.

Just a few kilometres away lies the region's own Paris (Paryż). The village owes its name to

TONY HALIK TRAVELLERS’ MUSEUM IN TORUŃ

A part of the region’s Łagiewniki village was known as “New York” from the 1950s. The nickname was first used jokingly by a local priest, who justified it by the settlement’s “modernity” and its residents’ lifestyle. The name was even officially registered, but in 2010 the Ministry of Interior and Administration revoked the decision, considering it unnecessary.

The Museum was created thanks to Elżbieta Dzikowska, who donated more than 800 exhibits collected during her joint expeditions with Tony Halik. The permanent exhibition “The Passion of Travel” presents the richness of non-European cultures, including unique textiles from Guatemala, pre-Columbian figurines from Mexico, and ethnic jewellery from Namibia and Ethiopia. The museum is located in adapted historic townhouses on Franciszkańska Street and includes rooms dedicated to great explorers and Poland’s contribution to describing the world.

the great affection that its 19th-century landowner, Aleksander Guttry, felt for his wife, Prowidencja Radzimska, who had fallen in love with the French capital. To ease his beloved's longing, he named his estate Paris. Today, residents treat their “international status” with a sense of humour, and the village sign has become a must-see destination for travellers who collect unusual place names.

The collection is complemented by places such as Ameryczka (Little America), a settlement in the municipality of Szubin, which

together with Egipt (Egypt) near Rypin and Rzym (Rome) in Pałuki forms a network of mysterious place names that have fuelled travellers’ imaginations for years. Interestingly, the local Rome entered modern sports history as the venue of the First Olympic Games for Rural Athletes in 1960. This event, a unique nationwide reference to the ancient Olympic tradition, continues to be held in the region today. Many editions have even taken place in localities in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region bearing “world-famous” names.

FADO FESTIVAL IN GRUDZIĄDZ

This unique event turns Grudziądz into Poland’s centre of Portuguese culture every year. It is a two-day celebration filled with the sounds of traditional guitar and saudade – songs full of longing and melancholy – as well as remarkable artistic encounters. The festival has hosted such stars as Ana Moura and Marta Pereira da Costa. For years it has been led by the well-known journalist and traveller Marcin Kydryński.

EXTRAORDINARY WATERS AND DESERTS

If you are searching for azure waters and bright limestone cliffs, there is no need to fly to the Adriatic. Lake Piechcińskie, often called “Little Croatia”, is one of the region's most spectacular landscape transformations. The lake did not form naturally. It was created when a limestone quarry, abandoned in the 1960s, was filled with water. The calcium-rich bedrock gives the water its extraordinary turquoise colour, which in full sunlight bears a striking resemblance to the coastlines of Dalmatia.

For divers, Piechcin is a true paradise. With water visibility reaching 12–15 meters, visitors can explore submerged caves, yacht wrecks—including the 13-meterlong Magda M. – and even a retired Konstal 805 tram from Toruń. The site has also appeared on screen, with its unique cliffs serving as a backdrop for productions such as the movie Karbala and the television series Mission Afghanistan.

Kujawy's own Sahara, located within the village of Broniewice near Janikowo, is another landscape with a remarkable industrial origin.

Bydgoszcz has a place that transports visitors straight to the Land of the Rising Sun. Within the 3-hectare Hellerówka Gardens lies the largest Japanese garden in the region. The creators carefully reconstructed Japanese garden aesthetics, combining ponds, pavilions, and rare plant species into a coherent meditative space.

The International Film Festival BellaTofifest, held in Toruń, invites audiences each year to explore regions they do not usually have the opportunity to visit. A regular feature of the programme is the “National Retrospectives” section, where Polish audiences often discover for the first time cinematic works from countries such as China, Armenia, Turkey, or Kosovo.

Operating since 1998, this interactive attraction brings the culture of the Great Plains inhabitants to life through a faithfully recreated setting. The village consists of traditional tipi tents – an encampment of Indigenous peoples of North America. A rich educational and performance program includes spectacular Powwow dance shows, a shooting range, and handicraft exhibitions. The concept is based on living history lessons, allowing visitors to feel as if they are on the American prairie.

Its name is inseparably linked to the operations of the Janikowo soda works and a system of socalled “white seas.” These extensive settling ponds for industrial waste, together with historical embankment failures in the last century, led to salinisation and the covering of surrounding land with thick layers of lime deposits. Today, these barren expanses – resembling a desert landscape and gradually undergoing reclamation – offer a fascinating example of how industry can permanently reshape regional geography.

THE WILD WEST A STONE’S THROW AWAY

Kujawy and Pomorze also offer the change to experience the spirit of the American frontier. Silverado City in Bożejewiczki near Żnin is a western-themed town created out of a deep passion for the history of the Wild West. Its founder, Sebastian Bugno – a legal adviser by profession – built the attraction on his family farm, fulfilling a dream he had nurtured since childhood. Construction of the complex took a decade. The story began with a love of horses and dramatic

The region also hides Stonehenge-like treasures – ancient burial sites dating back 5,500 years. Their history is presented in the film Megaliths directed by Krzysztof Paluszyński, documenting structures up to 150 meters long, located for example in Wietrzychowice, and exploring the world of ancient inhabitants of these lands. The production was co-financed by the KujawyPomorze Film Fund.

cowboy-style train robberies staged on the Żnin narrow-gauge railway near Biskupin.

Today, the place – named after the iconic film by Lawrence Kasdan – can come alive with the atmosphere of 19th-century Texas. Visitors can explore a Civil War fort, a sheriff’s office, a jail, the home of the legendary Dr. Quinn, and the largest saloon in Poland. Countless details create the atmosphere: wooden facades, gas lamps, and meticulous attention to authenticity. Performances featuring bank robberies, gunfighter duels, and breathtaking horseback stunt shows make the boundary between Bożejewiczki and the American prairie almost disappear.

A similar atmosphere, where adventure meets unconventional education, can be found at MegaPark in Grudziądz-Ruda, beautifully located beside Lake Rudnickie Wielkie. The attraction opened in 1997 as a modest “Ranch” serving fish dishes. Over time, however, it evolved into an impressive complex divided into six themed worlds. Alongside Western City – with its stunt shows and Gold Mine attraction – families can embark on a journey through billions of

BYDGOSZCZ HUNGARIAN CULTURE FESTIVAL

This recurring event, held since 2013, promotes Hungarian heritage and engages a wide audience—from local high school students and international school communities to NATO JFTC staff and business representatives. The program includes activities such as discovering Hungarian traces in city architecture, educational games, and themed guided walks.

JACEK BESZYŃSKI AT TORUŃ FRENCH SONG MEETINGS

Since 2010, July in Toruń has been filled with the sounds of French chanson, bringing the atmosphere of the Seine inside the walls of the medieval city. The Garden Meetings with French Song, organised by the Association of Twin Cities of Toruń, reference France’s national holiday and the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille. The stage is set in the picturesque Międzymurze courtyard of the Burgher House on Podmurna Street. Performers interpret classic songs by Édith Piaf, Charles Trenet, and Yves Montand, as well as contemporary French compositions.

KAROLINA AND MARIUSZ GRONTKOWSCY

Creators of Lovenda Kujawska – a place that brings the charm of Provence directly to Kujawy, to the village of Leszcze in Inowrocław County. This is one of the largest lavender plantations in Poland (almost one hectare), surrounded by a picturesque landscape of three lakes, fields, and forests. From May to October, the farm welcomes organised groups for workshops, including the signature program “On a Sensory Lavender Trail,” offering a full immersive experience of the site.

ETHNIESY INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF FOLK AND TRADITIONAL MUSIC

Held since 2013 by the Municipal Cultural Centre in Bydgoszcz, this festival has become a celebration of multiculturalism, presenting rich musical traditions from around the world. Artists explore their roots while blending them with contemporary sensibilities, allowing audiences to discover diverse styles and intergenerational cultural heritage. Ethniesy is a vibrant meeting point where the transition from winter to spring is celebrated through folk songs and dances.

Biskupin is often called the “Polish Pompeii,” where waterlogged, oxygen-free soil preserved the passage of time for millennia. The accidental discovery in 1933 allowed for the full reconstruction of a fortified settlement dating back to around 740 BC. Thanks to research conducted there, the world learned about a unique system of wooden streets and houses, which remains an archaeological sensation on a European scale.

years of Earth’s history. In Dinosaur Land, visitors encounter life-sized models of prehistoric creatures. Some roar and move, while miniature palaeontological excavations allow young visitors to step into the role of real explorers. The educational mosaic is completed by the World of Marine Creatures, featuring a lifesize whale model, as well as live nature lessons in the mini zoo and the Land of Giant Insects. Together, these attractions make Mega-Park one of the most diverse and engaging destinations for weekend adventures in the region.

MENNONITES AND LITTLE BERLIN

The region’s international character is reflected not only in its place names and theme parks, but above all in the tangible traces of historic settlement. The Olender Ethnographic Park in Wielka Nieszawka, a branch of the Ethnographic Museum in Toruń, is the first open-air museum in Poland dedicated to the culture of settlers from the Netherlands and Friesland. Here, thanks in part to European Union funding and the vision and determination of museum professionals, some of the finest

PRZY TALERZYKU VINEYARD IN TOPOLNO

Located in the Vistula River valley, the vineyard offers a stunning view of river meanders, creating a landscape reminiscent of Tuscany or other Italian wine regions. It contains around 2,000 vines, including Solaris, Bianca, Regent, and Rondo grape varieties. Wine production is carried out using hand-harvested grapes and modern stainless-steel tanks.

examples of 18th-century Mennonite architecture have been preserved, recreating the cultural landscape of a Vistula riverside village with its drainage systems and characteristic homesteads built under a single roof. Visitors can explore authentic arcade houses, where every beam and iron fitting tells a story of life on the floodplains of the Vistula River. The open-air museum in Wielka Nieszawka stands as a living monument to the tolerance of the former Kingdom of Poland, which offered refuge to people of different faiths and cultures.

Bydgoszcz, meanwhile, earned the historical nickname “Little Berlin” thanks to its Art Nouveau and modernist architecture. Prussian architectural influences

and elegant townhouses lining the banks of the Brda River create a charming metropolitan atmosphere, complemented by Bydgoszcz Venice – a picturesque ensemble of buildings constructed directly above the Młynówka River.

Completing the region’s palette of European associations is Chełmno, often referred to as the “Polish Carcassonne.” The town owes this nickname almost entirely to its preserved medieval urban layout and a ring of defensive walls that is unique on a continental scale. Stretching for more than two kilometres and punctuated by numerous towers and gates, these fortifications evoke the famous French fortress, making Chełmno one of Poland’s most valuable historical monuments.

The International Festival of Roma Song and Culture is held in Ciechocinek. This event promotes Roma traditions and culture in a modern form and attracts large audiences. Its creator and host is Don Vasyl – a singer, composer, poet, and animator of the Polish Roma community.

publisher Polska Press Sp. z o.o.

president of the wielkopolska and kujawsko-pomorskie macroregion branch Marek Ciesielski head of advertising office Agnieszka Perlińska managing editor Lucyna Tataruch | design and layout Ilona Koszańska-Ignasiak cover photo Daria Spychała translation AGIT Agnieszka Rydz

images – in chapter order

Szymon Szcześniak / PPG archive (page 6), private archive of Agnieszka Zukierska (page 7), Mikołaj Kuras for the Marshal’s Office of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region (UMWKP) (page 8), private archive of Paulina Pawlewicz (page 9), Wojciech Matusik / PPG archive (page 9), Marcin Okoniewski (page 10), Andrzej Romański / Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń / Source: Nicolaus Copernicus University Information Portal – www.portal.umk.pl (page 11), private archive of Jan B. Bełkowski (str. 11), Agnieszka Jurek / a still from the series “Langer” (page 12), AKPA (page 12), Marcin Sauter (page 13),

private archive of Kornelia Borowska-Beszta (page 14), Adam Kujawski (page 15), submitted/PPG archive (page 16), Dariusz Gackowski (page 17), self-portrait from instagram.com/milo.jxl (page 18), Rafał Przybylski / PPG archive (page 18), archive of Youth Cultural Centre (MDK) No. 5 (page 19), Krzysztof Szlapa (page 20), Aleksandra Kubacka / Fine Arts Secondary School in Włocławek (page 20), Aneta Pawska / Rother’s Mills (page 21), Michał Łepecki / National Science Centre (page 22), Jan Czochralski (1885-1953). Photograph from the exhibition “Jan Czochralski – activity in the field of science” / press materials of the Warsaw University of Technology Museum (page 23), Sebastian Świętek (page 24), public domain (page 25), ETH Zürich - ETH-Bibliothek Zürich, Bildarchiv (page 25), Andrzej Romański / Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń / Source: Nicolaus Copernicus University Information Portal – www.portal.umk.pl (page 26), Fresh Inset archive (page 27), Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz (page 27), Mariusz Kowalikowski / Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń / Source: Nicolaus Copernicus University Information Portal – www.portal.umk.pl (page 28), submitted / PPG archive (page 28), Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz (page 29), private archive of Łukasz Karmowski (page 30), Lucyna Talaśka-Klich / PPG archive (page 31), Arkadiusz Wojtasiewicz / PPG archive (page 32), Jakub Keller / PPG archive (page 32), Szymon Zdziebło / tarantoga.pl for UMWKP (page 33), archive of the Rural Housewives’ Association “Aktywny Zakątek” (page 34), archive of Solidarni - Toruń pamięta (page 35), Adam Zakrzewski / Toruń City Office (page 35),

Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz (page 36), private archive of Iga Sarzyńska (page 38), Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń / Source: Nicolaus Copernicus University Information Portal – www.portal.umk.pl (page 39), archive of Marta Walasińska (page 40), Jakub Stykowski / PPG archive (page 41), archive of the Nie Tylko Matka Polka Foundation (page 42), Monika Gut (page 42), Julia Marszewska / archive of the BellaTofifest International Festival (page 43), Dariusz Bloch / PPG archive (page 44), Ewa Jankowska / private archive of Daniel Pach (page 45), private archive of Kamil Bilecki (page 46), submitted / SPFPiP/ PPG archive (page 46), Paweł Horodyski Wildlife photography (page 47), private archive of Szymon Chojnacki (page 48), private archive of Piotr Górny (page 48), MTB Photo / Alamy (page 50), Szymon Zdziebło / tarantoga.pl for UMWKP (page 51), Mikołaj Kuras for UMWKP (page 52), Paweł Skraba for UMWKP (page 53), Grzegorz Olkowski / PPG archive (page 54), Szymon Zdziebło / tarantoga.pl for UMWKP (page 55), Andrzej Goiński for UMWKP (page 56), Paweł Skraba for UMWKP (page 57), Monika Buńkowska (page 58), archive of the Society of Friends of the Świecie Land (TMZŚ) and the Municipal Public Library in Świecie (page 59), archive of the Municipal Tourist Centre (MOT) (page 60), archive of the FADO Festival in Grudziądz (page 61), Piotr Łysakowski / archive of the Zakłady Kórnickie Foundation (page 62), Monika Buńkowska (str. 63), Grzegorz Olkowski / PPG archive (page 63), Katarzyna Olejnik-Wodyńska (page 64), Dariusz Gacowski (str. 64), archive of the Winnica przy Talerzyku farm (page 65)

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