Provincial Poland

Gorzow Wielkopolski is not only the largest town in the province but is also the region’s true centre, a real junction where administration, economic, cultural and social threads intertwine. Their mutual reaction consolidates Gorzow’s standing in Poland and the world. That is no exaggeration. For year’s Gorzow has been proud of its openness and excellent contacts with foreign partners. But how could it have been otherwise in a border city in which transborder trade and lively social contacts have flourished down the centuries.
The city’s unusually advantageous location is clearly visible at the first contact. This city on Warta River is where international road routes from Scandinavia to the Balkans intersect with those from Germany and the Baltic states. Such metropolises as Berlin, Poznan and Szczecin are within a radius of 100 kilometers, while the largest border crossing points in West Poland are situated in Gorzow region: in Slubice, Swiecko, Kunowice and Kostrzyn on Odra, with 50 million persons using them every year.
Gorzow Wielkopolski covers an area of 86 sq km and has a population of around 130,000. Following the national administration reform in 1999, the city become the seat of the province head and one of Lubuski Province’s two capitals.
Potential visitors may arrive using excellent road, rail and waterway connections and, in the near future, also by air.
Culture
In the city, there are many places where you can meet other people, listen to music, exchange opinions or admire famous works of art. The BWA gallery has been in service for almost 30 years, presenting the works of outstanding Polish artists. The Photography and New Media gallery presents the new kinds of arts. Both galleries are operating in the City Arts Centre. There are also the “60 krzesel” (“60 Chairs”) cinema, as well as the Discussion Film Club “Megaron” in the Centre.
“Pod Filarami” (“Under Pillars”) Jazz Club is one of the city’s best showcases. It staged some of the best Polish jazz musicians – from Adam Makowicz and Tomasz Stanko to Urszula Dudziak and Zbigniew Namyslowski – as well as such world jazz luminaries as Al Foster, Billy Cobham, Billy Hart, Randy Brecker, and Adam Holzman. The club also hosted performances of such non-jazz artists as: Grzegorz Turnau, Ewa Demarczyk, Edyta Geppert, Jan Nowicki, Piwnica pod Baranami with Piotr Skrzynecki and many others. Once a year a jazz festival – recognized in the whole country – the Jazz Autumn „Klucz do kariery” („A Key To Career”), a continuation of the Pomeranian jazz festival, is organized.
The club stimulated the creation of the Gorzowska Scena Jazzowa (The Gorzow Jazz Scene) which gathers local musicians representing a high artistic level.
Ever since 1986 the club has been organizing a unique form of children and youth musical education. Once a month, at schools and clubs, the Small Jazz Academy lessons are held, conducted by exceptional Polish jazz musicians. The lessons are attended by approximately 2.7 thousand participants. Already over 22 thousand graduates have received the Small Jazz Academy diplomas.
Thanks to our resilient galleries, admirers of painting and photography can not only see, but also buy valuable works of contemporary art. Everyone may also participate in serial cultural events. The are plenty of them in Gorzow.
The most famous are: "Romane Dyvesa" - International Meeting of Gypsy Bands, Reggae at the Warta River, Biennial of Sacred Art, Photography Exhibitions, Gorzow Drama Meetings Jazz Autumn "The Key to Career". Thanks to the international cooperation, Gorzow is also a place for concerts of National Brandenburg Orchestra.