After the winter holidays, our city continues to host many interesting cultural and sports events that will attract both art lovers and outdoor activity enthusiasts. From traditional high-mountain skiing competitions, through exciting memory runs, to art exhibitions and cultural evenings – the city is alive with upcoming attractions. These events offer a unique opportunity to celebrate, while promoting the integration of the local community and tourists. Zakopane invites everyone to discover and celebrate its heritage throughout March, offering something special for everyone.
XXXVI Jan Strzelecki Memorial
The Jan Strzelecki Memorial, the oldest high-mountain skiing competition in Poland, will once again take place in the picturesque Tatra Mountains. Since 1989, when competitors first stood at the start line, the event has continuously attracted enthusiasts of mountain adventures, among both competitors and tourists. This year, the start is planned at the Kalatówki Clearing on Saturday, March 9, with a possible backup date on Sunday, March 10, if weather conditions require. Organizers ensure that registrations for the competition are possible online until Wednesday, March 6, at noon, and the detailed competition program, including briefings and technical control, has already been published, providing participants with all the necessary information to prepare for the competition.
The Memorial stands out among other skiing competitions with its unique combination of history, versatility, and teamwork. These competitions, held in pairs, require not only excellent physical condition from participants but also teamwork skills, reflecting the spirit of true mountain adventure. The competition routes, which cover various terrains of the Polish Tatra Mountains, and special competitions, such as the Jerzy “Jorguś” Zachorowski competition, emphasize the unique character of the Memorial. Organizers stress that the Jan Strzelecki Memorial is not only a sporting competition but also an opportunity for mountain lovers to integrate, making these competitions a unique event in the Polish skiing calendar.
“Painted with Lines” exhibition – lithographs, sketches, paintings by Beata Zuba
On March 2, 2024, at 6:00 PM, at the Kmicic café, located at Staszica 11a in Zakopane, a unique artistic event will take place – the vernissage of Beata Zuba, a talented artist from Krakow, whose works reflect a deep fascination with the mountains. The exhibition titled “Painted with Lines” will offer visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in artistic interpretations of mountain landscapes, which for Zuba are a source of inspiration not only aesthetically but also emotionally. The artist, known for combining her passion for painting with a love of mountains and skiing, translates her personal experiences and reflections onto the canvas, creating works that are both a tribute to the majestic nature and an introspective journey through her own feelings and reflections on the surrounding world.
The exhibition will last until April 5, giving residents and guests of Zakopane enough time to fully appreciate the complexity and beauty of the artist’s works. The vernissage will not only be an opportunity to admire Beata Zuba’s artistic achievements but also a moment when art intertwines with social engagement – the event supports initiatives for the homeless cats of Podhale. In this way, the artist emphasizes that art can be not only an expression of personal quests and emotions but also a means of attracting attention and help for those in need. This exhibition, presenting winter landscapes, skiing graphics, and illustrations, is therefore an invitation to a world where the beauty of nature is combined with deep humanism.
Exhibition at the Red Manor “THE SCIENCE OF LOVE. CROSSES AND PIETÀS”
The picturesque Villa Red Manor, the heart of Podhale’s culture, will become the venue for an extraordinary cultural event. From February 24 to April 17, 2024, the Zakopane Culture Center and the Native Culture Center invite you to the exhibition “THE SCIENCE OF LOVE, CROSSES AND PIETÀS”. This unique exposition, featuring crosses and Pietà – works by anonymous authors from private collections – immerses visitors in the depth of spirituality and tradition of Podhale. The exhibition, available from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, offers a unique opportunity to admire antique, carved, and painted crosses and Pietà, which for centuries have been a testimony of faith and a sacred sign of redemption for many generations. Mayor of Zakopane, Leszek Dorula, and organizers warmly invite to reflect on the tradition and spirituality carried by these antique works of art, especially during the Lenten season and the upcoming Easter holidays. Admission to the exhibition is free, providing an excellent opportunity for cultural and spiritual enrichment for people of all ages.
Following the Wolf’s Trail, the memory run of the Cursed Soldiers
On the Upper Krupowa Clearing in Zakopane, on March 2, 2024, the XII edition of Following the Wolf’s Trail – The Memory Run of the Cursed Soldiers will take place. This event, organized by the Municipal Sports and Recreation Center in Zakopane, aims to pay tribute to the heroes of the Polish anti-communist and anti-Soviet underground from the years 1944–1963 and to popularize knowledge about this important part of Polish history. The start is planned for 10:00 AM, and participants will have the choice of two distances: 5 km (three loops) and a symbolic distance of 1963 m, reflecting the year the Cursed Soldiers’ activity ended. The organizers do not limit the number of participants or the age range but have prepared 100 medals for the first registrants. Registrations are accepted electronically until February 28, 2024. The start fee is 20 PLN for adults and 10 PLN for school youth and seniors, with the possibility of a higher fee on the day of the start. The event is not only a sporting competition but also an opportunity to honor the memory and learn about the indomitable heroes fighting for Poland’s freedom.
Unforgettable evening at the Red Manor with Józef Uznański
In the picturesque setting of Villa Red Manor, the Native Culture Center warmly invites residents and guests of Zakopane to an unforgettable Evening at the Red Manor, which will take place on March 4, 2024, at 6:00 PM. This year’s meeting, organized by the Mayor of Zakopane, Leszek Dorula, and the Zakopane Culture Center, will be dedicated to the memory of the legendary Józef Uznański “Uncle”, on the 100th anniversary of his birth. The event will be led by the well-known cave climber, speleologist, Tatra guide, and mountain rescuer Apoloniusz Rajwa, guaranteeing not only exciting memories but also an expert story about the life and achievements of Uznański. Admission to the event is free, and organizers ensure that it will be an evening full of inspiring stories, showcasing the wealth of local culture and history.
The final of the Zakopane Cup in alpine skiing
Zakopane once again becomes the arena for winter struggles! On March 3, 2024, the final of the Zakopane Cup in alpine skiing will take place. This event, which has been enjoying unwavering popularity among amateur skiers from all over the country for years, will once again visit the slopes of the Polana Szymoszkowa Ski Station. Organized with attention to the smallest details, the competitions are not only an opportunity for sporting competition according to the Skiing Sports Regulations but also a chance to win attractive prizes, funded by the event partner, the SALOMON brand. There will also be excitement for the youngest, thanks to the accompanying Zakopane Cup Children – the 46th School Winter Sports League. This unique event is not only a test of skills and endurance but also an opportunity to celebrate winter sports in one of the most beautiful corners of Poland. We invite you to Zakopane to celebrate together the passion for alpine skiing. Details of the event are available on the official website www.zakopane.pl/pucharzakopanego. Do not miss the opportunity to be part of this winter adventure!
Reminder:
“Rain in December” exhibition
From December 16 to March 3, the Antoni Rząsa Gallery in Zakopane will host an exhibition by Kamil Targosz, a well-known painter and illustrator of Andrzej Stasiuk’s books, presenting winter landscapes and skiing graphics. The event, co-financed by the city of Zakopane, invites youth and adults to woodcut workshops on December 17, led by the artist himself.
“Present” exhibition
The exhibition at the Władysław Hasior Gallery in Zakopane, from December 15, 2023, to March 3, 2024, shows the evolution of Zakopane’s art from the 19th century, presenting works by various artists.
“Decorative Panels by Jan Rembowski” exhibition
In the “Atma” villa in Zakopane, the museum dedicated to Karol Szymanowski, you can view an exhibition from March 21, 2023, to March 5, 2024, which includes impressive works by the artist, such as “The Procession of Highland Girls” and “The Procession of Highland Children”.
“Enchanted – the traditional Tatra landscape” exhibition
The exhibition at the Oksza villa, presenting the diversity of the Tatra landscape, is available to visitors from December 1, 2023, to May 5, 2024. It offers the opportunity to admire artistic works that thematically, not chronologically, capture the charm of the mountain world.
