A procession of beautiful winter, Christmas characters, the premiere of the bugle call and a speech by the Vice-President of Gdańsk, Piotr Grzelak, concluding the Opening Ceremony. The Christmas market in Gdańsk lit up Targ Węglowy on Saturday afternoon. It was a great invitation to Celebrate in Gdańsk with exhibitors and visitors. The partner of the Opening Ceremony of the Christmas Market 2023 was the Utilization Plant in Gdańsk.
A beautiful winter and Christmas parade started from ul. Tkacka towards ul. Długa to go through the Golden Gate to Targ Węglowy and go to the fair stage. The fairy-tale procession put the fair's visitors into a magical atmosphere. Stilt walkers and actors of the GAK Theater acted out genre scenes, thus engaging passers-by in the Opening Ceremony parade. The Christmas characters were accompanied by children from two artistic and creative groups of the Młodzież Palace and children from the GAK Song and Dance Ensemble. Everything took place with the assistance of the Gdańsk Garrison and the "Taraban" band and a group of instrumentalists.
When the procession reached the fair stage, which this year is located next to the Wybrzeże Theater - so as not to cover the beautiful, renovated facade of the theater - the Opening Ceremony began. The audience's favorites, Mr. and Mrs. Orzechowski, were already waiting there. The children's music bands Superband and Smile created a fairy-tale atmosphere - and during the ceremony also Dorenutki and the GAK group of dancers. The viewers were introduced to the subsequent parts of the event by Srebrna Pani Zima and Śnieżynka Pralinka.
One of the main parts of the Opening Ceremony was the presentation of the bugle call of the Christmas Market in Gdańsk. This year, a competition was announced for a composition that will be the leitmotif of the pre-Christmas event. The co-organizer was the Academy of Music in Gdańsk. The competition jury, not knowing the authors of the compositions, was delighted with the work of Magdalena Garbecka. The graduate of the Academy of Music in Gdańsk won the first prize - PLN 4,000, and the bugle call she composed will be played every day of the fair. It was premiered on Saturday afternoon by students of the Academy of Music in Gdańsk.
– The idea for the bugle call of the Christmas Fair was the initiative of the rector of the Academy of Music in Gdańsk, Ryszard Minkiewicz. There was a long discussion about it. St. Fair Dominika has its own bugle call and it increases by a note every year, so why not try it with a pre-Christmas fair. Now I can say that I am positively surprised by the composition. I would like to thank the university and Mrs. Magda - says Andrzej Bojanowski, president of the Gdańsk International Fair.
More than one composition could be submitted to the Fair's bugle call competition.
As a result, 2nd and 3rd place went to Szymon Janiszewski, who received PLN 3,000 and 1,500 respectively for distinction. A total of 7 composers took part in the competition.
The ceremonial opening of the 2023 Christmas Market in Gdańsk was performed by the Vice-President of Gdańsk, Piotr Grzelak.
– I am glad that, as every year, we meet at Targ Węglowy, during one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe. Last year, many thousands of Internet users' votes resulted in the Gdańsk fair being considered the second most beautiful in Europe. We have 150 exhibitors, including 50 from Gdańsk. However, it is worth adding that we have exhibitors from all over the world. Let's enjoy it, visit the stands, let's smell the beautiful Christmas scents, let's taste the best delicacies - says Piotr Grzelak, vice-president of Gdańsk.
A moment after the vice president's words, the procession of winter, festive characters moved to Targ Węglowy and ul. Bogusławski to continue celebrating the opening of the Fair with visitors.
The partner of the Opening Ceremony of the Christmas Market 2023 was the Utilization Plant in Gdańsk.
Admiration for the beautiful, festive arrangement of the Fair is possible thanks to, among others, The State Forests that provided the Christmas trees. Thanks to this, Targ Węglowy became green and smelling of Christmas from the first day.
Get to know the program of the Christmas Market in Gdańsk
The Opening Ceremony was the first point of a rich artistic program that fills almost every day of the Fair. On Tuesdays, music fans will be able to listen to Christmas concerts. There will be: the Slavic Soul Christmas band, Gospel Carol Singing and Carol Singing with the GUMED Choir. On Wednesdays, visitors can grab the microphones and sing the most beautiful Polish and foreign Christmas hits during karaoke. On Thursdays, there will be surprises that will please the eye: the Fire Theater and Parady, as well as the ear: Reading fairy tales with the Wybrzeże Theater and the Provincial and Municipal Public Library. On Fridays, the organizers will invite little ones to animations with the Wyklejnik Academy of Fun and Education, and older children to an evening dance with Christmas DJ sets. On Saturdays, there will be a Christmas mix: performances by the Gdańsk Song and Dance Ensemble, Neptun and Winter Adventure with Treflik.
Traditionally, the Fair will be visited by St. Santa Claus and the official mascots of the event, Mr. and Mrs. Orzechowski, who are just waiting to take photos with visitors or record Christmas greetings. Sundays are time for loved ones.
Children and their parents will be able to watch performances and take part in animations performed by the Qfer Theater, listen to carolling with Carillon and have fun with Caritas, which will promote volunteering activities and the joy of sharing goodness.
From December 1, together with Wedel, we will invite you to open the windows of the Advent calendar, which will traditionally become part of the Advent gate.
A detailed program is available at https://bozonarodzinowy.pl/program-dzienny/ .
Atmospheric decorations, stands with unique products and a rich artistic program, including creative workshops - all this was organized by the Regional Directorate of State Forests in Gdańsk.
One of the unique houses of the Christmas Fair is the house of the Gdańsk Tourist Organization - Saint's Gift Factory.
Nicholas, which is located near the large "FAIR" sign, at Targ Węglowy. Everyone who visits it will be able to buy attractive Gdańsk gifts, of course of a Christmas nature, but not only. There is also a delicious surprise waiting in the house. You can purchase Tastes of Gdańsk project packages here, available for 1, 2 and even 4 people. And that's not the end! GOT has prepared a competition for holders of the Gdańsk Resident Card. You can win fantastic prizes by scanning QR codes. The task is to hunt for 10 "cubes" with codes and scan them. All details about the competition are available at poznamzgdanska.pl .
We are celebrating in Gdańsk!
The Fair's slogan has been present on the streets of Gdańsk since Friday. Christmas town at Targ Węglowy, ul. Bogusławskiego, Tkacka, in the Armory or the Przedbramia Complex is a place where you can get inspired and find unique gifts, taste various cuisines from around the world, and take advantage of attractions for children and adults. Just have a nice time with family or friends. Visitors can choose from 170 stands.
Traditionally, Lucek the Moose also makes the time more enjoyable, making many of the fair's guests laugh with his "biscuits".
Christmas Travel Corner with AmberSky
New on the 2023 Christmas Market map is the Christmas Travel Corner
with AmberSky. This is a special place where attractions dedicated to the youngest have been prepared: VR simulator Saint's Magical Sleigh. Nicholas, Gdańsk Carousel, Observation Wheel on Ołowianka and new this season: spinning coaster - Spinning Barrels. In the pre-Christmas rush, it is worth finding time for moments of joyful forgetfulness and fun with family and friends. One common ticket will make it easier to use all attractions.
The price list of attractions is available on the website bozonarodzinowy.pl .
The fair helps
As every year, the Christmas Market invites you to take part in special and charity events. These will include the "Christmas Wardrobe", which will be used to exchange toys - a toycrossing campaign. The well-known bookcrossing shelf will appear in the Armory as part of a campaign organized in cooperation with the Provincial and Municipal Public Library.
The GPEC Group, together with Amberexpo, will collect funds for the Hospice Foundation. In the winter house of the GPEC Group you can buy tickets, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Foundation's beneficiaries.
Hospice named after
Dutkiewicza in Gdańsk invites you to a unique charity concert: "Let's sing with Santa Claus for the Hospice Foundation", which will feature, among others,
artists from Cappella Gedanensis. There will also be a meeting with Santa Claus and elves in a singing atmosphere.
Smyk's "Misiowa Brama" was re-established in the Armory. At the end of the Fair, when purchasing fair mugs, you will be able to adopt a teddy bear. The funds from the purchase of the cups will be donated to the Hospice patients.
The fair organizers also joined the Christmas with Ukraine campaign, which is carried out
at 30 European fairs, supporting the Faina.ua foundation.
During the Fair, the streets of the historic center of Gdańsk will be transformed
into a Christmas town thanks to beautiful illuminations. This is, among other things, thanks to the Strategic Partner of the Christmas Market and Illumination of Gdańsk - Gdańsk Waterworks.
The partner supporting the Fair in Gdańsk is the GPEC Group - the sponsor of the Gdańsk illuminations.
NON-STOP FAIR ATTRACTIONS
– CHRISTMAS TREE OF YOUNG GDAŃSK RESIDENTS
– CHRISTMAS TRAVEL CORNER with AMBERSKY
– Gdańsk Carousel
– Santa's Sleigh flight simulator
– Spinning Coaster SPANNING BARRELS
– Observation Circle
TALKING KATARZYNKA LETTER BOX
CHRISTMAS SCENE WITH SANTA'S THRONE
SAINT CLAUS'S WORKSHOP
ADVENT GATE – SURPRISES FOR CHILDREN
THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS GPEC
MOOSE LUCEK
ANGEL'S MILL
A GROSS WITH A CHAPEL
ENCHANTED FOUNTAIN BY WEDEL
ILLUMINATIONS AT THE FAIR 20
ILLUMINATED CHRISTMAS MARKET INSTRATION
LIGHT ROOF ON BOGUSŁAWKSIEGO STR
LIGHT ROOF and GATE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE ARMY
FIGURES – CLOCK, CANDELABRA, ARMCHAIR, BALL
THREE LUMINOUS GATES, Gazebo, Wedel's CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN, WINGS
The most important information:
Stands available to visitors:
Sunday - Thursday 12.00-20.00, Friday - Saturday 12.00-21.00
Christmas Fair - November 24-December 23
Targ Węglowy, Bogusławskiego Street, Tkacka Street, Armory, Przedbramia Complex
WWW: bożonarodziowy.pl
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