City Festival | www.torun.pl

Toruń celebrates its city festival on 24 June – on a day of the St. John the Baptists, the patron of Toruń. His patronage dates back to foundation of the city in the 13th century and construction of the first temple – the St. John’s Church. Nowadays, this church is the Toruń St. Johns’ Cathedral (the Baptist and the Evangelist), and therefore the most important church in the Diocese of Toruń. The monumental structure of the cathedral is the most visible architectural element within the Vistula panorama of Toruń.

The Toruń City Festival is a series of events revealing the historic and cultural character of the city of Copernicus, which crowns the Toruń Days lasting for almost whole June. The main feature of the event is the fact that many of its concerts, presentations and meetings take place at the Vistula Philadelphia Boulevard and the Vistula meadows. Traditional points of the City Festival are artistic performances and shows of Toruń music bands and dance groups. Actors and athletes from Toruń also present their skills. During this fest, also rowers from Toruń and Bydgoszcz meet to compete in rowing races along the Boulevard and meadows. Revealing brass Catherines at the Gingerbread Walk of Fame with autographs of famous people related to Toruń is an important element of the celebration. There are already signatures of Grażyna Szapołowska, Leszek Balcerowicz, Małgorzata Kożuchowska, Janina Ochojska and Elżbieta Dzikowska.

The old Slavic tradition requires that, on the Midsummer Eve, young Toruń girls let from the Vistula wharf floral wreaths with lighted candles into the Vistula waters.

Interesting links:

• Read also about the St. John the Baptist - the patron of Toruń
• City Festival 2012