On 10 February, Gdynia turned 100 years old. It was an intense, solemn and spectacular event. In the evening, the residents of Gdynia gathered in large numbers to participate in a parade on 10 Lutego Street. The highlight of the day was a concert at Kościuszki Square featuring Polish stars. This day will remain in the memory of the residents of Gdynia for a long time.
This is an important anniversary for all residents. Exactly one hundred years ago, Gdynia was granted city rights. On Tuesday, 10 February, we celebrated this special birthday together in the city. The celebrations began with a ceremonial roll call with the participation of the Military Honour Guard at the Pomeranian Pier by the ORP ‘Błyskawica’. A ceremonial session of the Gdynia City Council was also held on that day.
In the evening, residents and tourists gathered for the parade on 10 Lutego Street. GDYNIA STO*RY was a large-scale artistic and theatrical spectacle combining elements of street theatre, music and visual arts. During the event, participants learned about the history of Gdynia, presented through images, sound and metaphor. Some of the buildings on 10 Lutego Street were decorated with special projections on their facades.
The highlight of the celebrations was a concert in Kościuszki Square. The programme included themes related to the birth of the city, which transformed from a seaside village into a modern port city and became a window to the world for a reborn Poland.
Dear residents of Gdynia, the birthday of our city is above all your celebration, so happy birthday, said Aleksandra Kosiorek, Mayor of Gdynia, from the stage.
I am very happy that we were able to celebrate this special anniversary together, all the best, said Tadeusz Szemiot, Chairman of the City Council.
The following artists performed on the modernism-inspired stage: Stokłosa Collective Orchestra conducted by Jan Stokłosa, Music Everywhere Choir, Natalia Kukulska, Margaret, Natalia Szroeder, Andrzej Piaseczny, Tomasz Organek, Natalia Muianga, Wiktor Dyduła, Szczyl, Gracjana Górka, Krzysztof Wojciechowski, Maja Gadzińska, Karolina Trębacz and the ICON by Starowicz dance group. The concert was hosted by Paulina Sykut-Jeżyna and Tomasz Wolny.
The good news is that everyone who did not make it to the concert at Kościuszki Square will be able to watch its rebroadcast on Polsat on Friday, 20 February at 9:00 p.m.
The Gdynia audience heard carefully selected songs, and the musical journey began with ‘Celebration’ by Kool & The Gang. The concert programme was full of references to Gdynia – its maritime character, film tradition and unique atmosphere. An integral part of the event was specially prepared film material presenting archival footage, history and the contemporary face of Gdynia.
That day was full of joy and emotion, as the residents are united by a sense of community and love for our city.
I love my Gdynia very much, the people here are wonderful. We have a beautiful beach, promenades, a pier and a boulevard. I could walk around our city every day and admire the beautiful views. That is why I am so happy that I had the opportunity to take part in this unique anniversary. Here's to another hundred years, beloved Gdynia, says Maria, a resident of Gdynia.
Some participants, although they no longer live in Gdynia, are so attached to our city that they decided to come especially to celebrate its 100th birthday together.
We came from Warsaw. We couldn't miss it today, we had to come to celebrate together. Everyone here is having a great time, regardless of age. We love our city for its modernism, openness and local patriotism, said Natalia and Paulina, who took part in the parade and concert.
The concert was organised by Gdynia. Media patron: Telewizja Polsat.
Media patrons:
Onet, Polskie Radio, Helios, STROER, Trójmiasto.pl. Radio Gdańsk, Dziennik Bałtycki, Prestiż, TVP 3 Gdańsk.
Honorary patronage of the celebrations:
Prime Minister Donald Tusk (selected events: ‘GDYNIA STO*RY’, birthday concert ‘It all started with the sea’ and 3D mapping ‘It all started with the sea – a tale about Gdynia’)
Honorary patronage of the 100th anniversary of Gdynia:
Pomeranian Voivode Beata Rutkiewicz, Pomeranian Voivodeship Marshal Mieczysław Struk, Polish Tourism Organisation
Sponsors:
Port Gdynia, PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna, OPEC.
Main partner:
PGZ Stocznia Wojenna, Stena Line.
Partners:
IPN, SKM, Hotel Mercure Gdynia Centrum, Muzeum Miasta Gdyni, NDI DEVELOPMENT Spółka w Grupie NDI, Baltona, Spółdzielczy Instytut Naukowy, Smile Reprezent, Agencja Mienia Wojskowego, TextilMar, Finarto Investments, Parkowa Bistro&, Sky Group, Polsat Plus Arena Gdynia, Mini Muzeum Bankowiec, CH Batory, Centrum Kwiatkowskiego, Hotel Bank Polski, Baltic Hotel, Howinnga, Karuzela Pasji, Konsulat Kultury w Gdyni, Versus, Cech Rzemiosła i Przedsiębiorczości w Gdyni, Drukarnia Contrast, Gaja, MDK Gdynia, Mira Art, GAP Gdynia, Mosaic Events, ArtMusic, SetLight, BedMet, Avanti Facepainting, Mamadoo, Hotel My Story Gdynia.
Main photo: GDYNIA STO*RY performance on 10 Lutego Street (Michał Puszczewicz)