Stories from Gdynia · Poland

The city of Gdynia will celebrate its centenary throughout 2026 with a series of events. These celebrations include the World Congress of Kashubians and a summer night birthday event featuring a show of thousands of drones. Polskie Radio is the media patron for the centenary.

The Migrant Music Festival will take place in Gdynia on Saturday, May 2. The event features music and presentations regarding the Polish diaspora in Brazil. Coordinator Paweł Kowalewski will lead meetings discussing the historical context and language of the Brazilian Polonía. Between 1.5 million and 3 million people of Polish descent live in Brazil. The program aims to provide historical context and discuss the Polish-Brazilian language and music. Event coordinator Paweł Kowalewski stated that three separate bands will play Polish and White Russian music for participants. Kowalewski noted that mortality rates at such events are very low, typically occurring only once every several years and involving specific high-risk groups.

Poland is increasing its naval power to defend 400 kilometers of Baltic Sea coastline. The expansion includes constructing frigates, acquiring a rescue vessel, and purchasing latest-generation submarines from Sweden.

Steel cutting commenced on April 28, 2026, for the Huragan, the third Miecznik-class frigate. The third and final frigate of the Miecznik naval program had its first steel plate symbolically cut today. This unit is part of Poland's flagship naval warfare program. Ships from the Miecznik program are expected to gradually enter service through 2031. The Miecznik frigate program will see vessels enter service between 2029 and 2031 at the PGZ Stocznia Wojenna in Gdynia. These frigates will feature a full spectrum of missile defense, including anti-aircraft, anti-missile, and infrastructure protection capabilities. The vessels will be equipped with Wodawoda missiles. Additionally, work is underway on rescue ships and submarines under the ORP program. The construction process is part of a larger initiative to produce three such frigates.