Sail Szczecin and many more

2010 will see the city's consequent execution of its Sailing and Maritime Education Strategy. For the second time, Szczecin Municipality will be organizing a cycle of maritime events which are scheduled to take place on the second weekends in June, July, August and September.

The city's oldest event celebrating its ties with the sea - Sail Szczecin is taking place on 11 -13 June. It will be preceded by the international conference on "Freedom and security". The city will host ca. 40 sailing ships, oldtimers, and 3 vessels of the Polish navy.

For Poles and szczecinians, 2010 is a special year because of several reasons. It's the 200 anniversary of F. Chopin's birthday, whose music shall be presented during the evening concert on Saturday, 12 June). Classical performance and jazzy arrangements of Chopin's music will surely attract the music lovers, especially as the piano concert is to be played on board S/Y Fryderyk Chopin.

Zygmunt Choreń, a constructor of numerous modern sailing ships, is to be the guest of honour. Three sailing yachts Fryderyk Chopin, Pogoria and ORP Iskra will berth in Szczecin. 2010 will also witness the 65^th anniversary of sailing in West Pomeranian Region and in Szczecin. The event will attract many sailors of Polish origin who will come from all over the world. The agenda includes the concerts by Irish and Polish music and dance bands, a concert of shanties „Sail Szczecin", ecology and wind energy workshops, and diving courses. Guests will be invited to go sailing on board the yacht.

The Odra Rafting, culminating in Szczecin during the Odra River Days on 10-11 July, makes the river in its southern section teeming with life and Polish and German boats and yachts. Numerous workshops forchildrenandyouth,a music concert on the concrete boat, concerts at waterfront attracts everybody to Wały Chrobrego Waterfront.

On 6-8 August the city's skyline will liven up with fireworks and electronic music during the III International Firework Festival PYROMAGIC 2010 and Szczecin Wave. Companies from Korea, China, France and Poland will present their shows with the accompaniment of F. Chopin's music (the first three minutes) and the musical stage will be located on water. On 11-12 September, the city invites to join the discussion on the sources of culture of the Baltic nations during the Baltic Folk & Roots event. This year's leitmotif is "Kalevala". Folk music performed by the Baltic bands will make the day.