Gdynia celebrates its 100th birthday. One of the most important and distinguished moments of this celebration was the ceremonial session of the Gdynia City Council. This year, exceptionally, in the company of notable guests, it was held at the Musical Theatre in Gdynia.
This is the most important date in the history of Gdynia – on 10 February 1926, the Council of Ministers issued a decree granting the rural commune of Gdynia the status of a city. Today, the history of 10 February 1926 met with the history and vision of Gdynia on 10 February 2026.
The city is celebrating its 100th birthday throughout the year, and one of the most important events is the ceremonial session of the Gdynia City Council, during which the Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski medals ‘For outstanding services to Gdynia’ were traditionally awarded. After the official part of the event, the well-known Polish composer and pianist Leszek Możdżer performed on stage.
The ceremony was hosted by Tadeusz Szemiot, Chair of the Gdynia City Council, who was accompanied on stage by Aleksandra Kosiorek, Mayor of Gdynia. Local government officials emphasised that the creation of the city required a bold vision and that Gdynia will enter its second century with similar courage, as a major investment plan will be implemented in the city in the coming years.
Friends of Gdynia from all over Poland gathered at the Musical Theatre – representatives of state authorities, the military, the worlds of science, business, culture and sport, as well as local government officials. Among those present were Karol Nawrocki, President of Poland, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Marshal of the Senate, and Barbara Nowacka, Minister of National Education. Also in the audience were Hanna Wendy-Uszyńska, granddaughter of engineer Tadeusz Wenda, and Julita Maciejewicz-Ryś, granddaughter of Prime Minister Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski – custodians of their grandfathers' legacy.
Our wonderful, beautiful, developing Polish city of Gdynia is one hundred years old! Today, we see these hundred years from the perspective of a city that is so important for the Polish state and the entire Republic. The naval shipyard is responsible for building security infrastructure for the entire Baltic Sea basin, which has quickly and somewhat unexpectedly become the internal basin of the North Atlantic Alliance. Without Gdynia, it would be impossible to build security in this basin. The Port of Gdynia is developing and achieving new transhipment records. The Polish Navy, the strength of the Polish soldier, is being built here in Gdynia. Gdynia is an important academic centre for the whole of Europe and such an important place on the cultural map (...) But this beautiful anniversary also encourages us to reflect on what and how much had to happen for us to be able to celebrate this wonderful anniversary. At the beginning of the last century, the dream was a free Republic. (...) These dreams began to come true on 11 November 1918, 10 February 1920, and finally on 10 February 1926. A beautiful dream began to come true, and today we are part of it. This dream would not have come true if it weren't for Tadeusz Wenda. Gdynia is also one of the birthplaces of the great ‘Solidarity’ movement. This gene of freedom later allowed local government to develop. Gdynia became a model for this, thanks in part to Mayor Franciszka Cegielska. These ideas are still with us today. I don't want to be just a supporter, I want to be with you as the President of Poland. I have submitted the ‘Yes’ Act for Polish ports to the Sejm. I hope that the final decision will be made on the 101st anniversary, said President Karol Nawrocki.
Here, Poland has no borders – with these words from President Ryszard Wojciechowski, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Marshal of the Polish Senate, began her laudatory speech – The construction of Gdynia is more than just building a city or a port (...) Gdynia was supposed to be, and is, a beautiful, safe gateway to the world. Gdynia shows what can be done when Poles think together (...) and despite their differences, this wonderful city was created. It was created to show that Poland can be modern, friendly, a good place to live and develop one's passions. We say that Gdynia is a city of the sea, of dreams, of love, but also of responsibility. (...) That is why I am very proud to be here with you today and to be able to talk about this unique place, but in reality we are talking about Poland (...). And the residents of Gdynia teach us that cooperation is better than war, and dialogue is better than shouting. I am very proud that the Senate of the Republic of Poland has designated 2026 as the Year of Gdynia. I hope, Gdynia, that you will be a happy and wonderful city. On behalf of the Senate of the Republic of Poland, I would also like to present you with a Senate medal in gratitude for what Gdynia does for us.
The long-awaited day has finally arrived, said Mayor Aleksandra Kosiorek. - Today, on 10 February 2026, we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of our city. This is a special moment – for Gdynia, for Pomerania and for the whole Poland, but above all, it is a celebration of the people who have worked together for 100 years to create the city of Gdynia. A hundred years of our city's history teaches us one thing: development does not happen on its own. It is born out of cooperation, courageous thinking and responsibility for the common good. This was the case at the beginning of Gdynia – and this is how we want to act today as we enter the next century.
Today, we are commemorating the anniversary of a unique city, emphasised City Council Chair Tadeusz Szemiot. Exactly 100 years ago, on 10 February 1926, Poland's gateway to the world was opened. The history of Gdynia is a story of courage, vision and determination. But it is also a story of political and economic rationalism, because Gdynia was established in response to the specific needs of the reborn Polish state. The 100th anniversary of Gdynia is a celebration for all those who helped create it and continue to contribute to it – generations of residents, seafarers, entrepreneurs, local government officials, scientists, cultural figures and military personnel. It is also a commitment to ensure that the coming decades are a time of responsible decisions, wise development and a strong position for Gdynia within the structures of the state and the region.
Exceptional recipients of the Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski Medal on the centenary of Gdynia
The Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski Medal is an expression of special recognition for outstanding contributions to the development of the city and port, and for promoting Gdynia in Poland and around the world. This year, the medals were awarded for the 32nd time. This year's winners represent three pillars of Gdynia's history and present day: maritime economy, security and culture.
This year, the Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski Medal was awarded to:
The Naval Academy in Gdynia
The Bohaterów Westerplatte Naval Academy, located in Gdynia at 69 Śmidowicza Street, continues the tradition of the Naval Officers' School founded in 1922 in Toruń. It is the only university in Poland representing navy education. It educates candidates for officers of the Polish Navy and Armed Forces, as well as civilian students from Poland and abroad, in accordance with the values of ‘Sea, Homeland, Duty’ and ‘Amor Patriae Suprema Lex’.
It is a leading scientific and educational centre in Europe in the field of defence, security and maritime economy. Currently, the Academy offers education in four faculties: Navigation and Naval Armament, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Command and Maritime Operations, and Humanities and Social Sciences, offering postgraduate studies, advanced training courses and qualification courses.
Gdynia Cotton Association
The Gdynia Cotton Association is responsible for establishing and publishing tables presenting value differences for raw cotton. Another important area is international quality and trade arbitration concerning cotton trading. Any disputes that arise are considered by Poland's oldest arbitration court, operating at the Cotton Association in Gdynia.
Over the course of more than 90 years of its activity, the Gdynia Cotton Association has become an important point of reference, as it participates in the work of international organisations such as the ICAC (International Cotton Advisory Committee) in Washington, EUROCOTON (European Federation of Cotton and Allied Textiles Industries) in Brussels and CICCA (Committee for International Cooperation between Cotton Associations) in Liverpool.
In addition, the Association runs one of the few schools in the world for manual cotton classification, which has trained 642 experts from 29 countries since 1948. Today, the primary task of the Association is to promote and improve the trade and processing of cotton, cotton-like raw materials, and products and semi-finished products made from them, as well as to promote commercial ethics, the inviolability of contracts and arbitration.
Polish Filmmakers Association
The Polish Filmmakers Association is an organisation bringing together Polish filmmakers. It supports the promotion of Polish cinema and film education, and works to protect the rights of filmmakers. The PFA is a co-initiator and co-founder of the Polish Film Festival, described as a celebration of Polish cinema.
The Polish Filmmakers Association was established in 1966. It is a nationwide organisation bringing together 2,200 filmmakers. It works to protect the rights of filmmakers, promote Polish cinema, support film education and the development of audiovisual culture, running, among other things, Studio Munka, creative work houses in Kazimierz Dolny and Sopot, and providing social assistance to senior members of the film community. In addition, the association is a co-initiator and co-founder of the Polish Film Festival, which has been held in Gdynia since 1987.
The organisation also played a significant role in the transformation of Polish cinematography, as it contributed to the introduction of the 2005 Cinematography Act and the establishment of the Polish Film Institute (PISF), thanks to which filmmakers gained stable funding for their productions.
Main photo: The ceremony was hosted by Tadeusz Szemiot, Chair of the Gdynia City Council, accompanied on stage by Aleksandra Kosiorek, Mayor of Gdynia. (photo: Mirosław Pieślak)