In April 2024, Zakopane hosts several interesting events that attract
Competitions for the Easter Egg 2024
We invite all skiing enthusiasts and tradition lovers to a unique journey back in time – to participate in the 24th Edition of the Old Ski Equipment Competition “For the Easter Egg” named after Krystyna Behounek! This extraordinary event will take place on Easter Monday, April 1st, and will transport participants to the roots of skiing, offering not only a sports competition but also a unique, festive atmosphere.
We assure you that the competition at Kalatówki is a great opportunity for communal fun in the spirit of old times, surrounded by highlander music and traditional delicacies from the kitchen of the Mountain Hotel at Kalatówki. This year, we are introducing a novelty – registration for the competition is possible exclusively online, from March 1st to March 24th, 2024, on the website www.kalatowki.pl.
Detailed competition program:
- 9:30 – 11:00 – Competition Office: this is where starter packs and race numbers will be issued.
- 10:00 – 12:00 – Presentation of competitors: outfits and ski equipment will be judged, further enhancing the competition.
- 12:00 – 14:00 – The actual competition: will consist of stylistic skiing and time trials, testing skiing skills in a traditional manner.
- about 14:30 – Ceremony of announcing the results and awarding the best competitors.
March Salon 2024, Stanisław Kulon
We invite you to a unique cultural event that will become an unforgettable experience for art lovers and more. “March Salon 2024. Stanisław Kulon” is an exhibition dedicated to the work of the outstanding Polish sculptor, which will take place at the Municipal Art Gallery named after Wł. hr. Zamoyski in Zakopane. The exhibition will be opened with a vernissage on March 23, 2024, at 5:00 PM and will last until the end of May.
Stanisław Kulon, an artist born in the Eastern Borderlands, went through an incredibly difficult path in life, which undoubtedly influenced the depth and uniqueness of his works. The exhibition, curated by Lidia Rosińska-Podleśna, offers a chance to immerse in Kulon’s artistic journey, covering various stages of his life and creativity. From difficult beginnings in the Urals, through years of learning and working in Poland, to his last years in Łomianki, where he created and lived until the end of his days.
The presented works, coming from family collections and thanks to the courtesy of the Culture Center in Łomianki and Anna Plewka, showcase Kulon’s evolution as an artist. His sculptures, reflecting deep reflections on human experience, reveal the beauty hidden in matter. This is not only a chance for an aesthetic experience but also to understand how important it is in art to seek and experience.
The exhibition is open to the public from March 26 to May 31, 2024, daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Importantly, the event is free of charge, making it even more special. This is a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of art with family or friends and discover the legacy of one of the most distinguished Polish sculptors of the 20th century.
XV Tatra Festival of Highlander Bands Golden Kierpce
Experience highlander culture like never before! The XV Tatra Festival of Highlander Bands “Golden Kierpce” will take place in Zakopane on April 13-14, offering an unforgettable spectacle of folklore and traditions of Podhale. This competitive festival of folklore, organized by the City Office of Zakopane, gives young talents a chance to showcase their skills and compete for participation in prestigious folklore festivals.
Bands from age categories 6-14 and 14-18 will present the richness of highlander traditions, competing for a place at the Carpathian Festival in Rabka-Zdrój and the 55th International Festival of Mountain Folklore. Admission to the festival is free, offering not only a chance for performers but also for the audience to admire authentic highlander culture in picturesque Zakopane.
XI Avalanche-Ski Touring Days
Prepare for an incredible experience in the heart of the Tatra Mountains! The 11th Avalanche-Ski Touring Days on April 6-7, 2024, gather enthusiasts of mountain activities in the picturesque Valley of Five Lakes. This unique opportunity allows participants to explore the secrets of safety in the mountains, ski touring techniques, navigation, and much more under the guidance of experts – TOPR Rescuers, PZA Instructors, and IVBV Guides. The event is aimed at both beginners and advanced mountain lovers, offering a wide range of training from basic avalanche knowledge to advanced rescue and survival techniques.
This year, in addition to traditional classes, new workshops have been introduced for more experienced participants, including: avalanche unification workshops, tourist rescue, as well as practical training in glacier travel. Field stations will also be available for everyone, including ski touring techniques and winter terrain navigation.
Saturday’s training sessions are free, with the option to participate in paid ski touring and hiking trips in small groups, ensuring accommodation at the shelter. This is an ideal opportunity to combine a passion for mountains with learning and safety, all in the extraordinary atmosphere of the Tatra National Park.
Registrations start on site on April 6th at 7:00 AM, with classes beginning at 9:00 AM. Don’t miss the chance for a unique mountain experience, both educational and full of adventure. We invite you to the 11th Avalanche-Ski Touring Days – a meeting of mountain enthusiasts in one of the most beautiful corners of the Tatra Mountains!
Program of the 11th Avalanche-Ski Touring Days, April 6-7, 2024
Saturday, April 6th
Equipment Testing: 9:00-17:00
Brands such as ORTOVOX, MAMMUT, and others will present their latest products. Details on the event’s website.
Training Stations (Registration on-site from 7:00 AM)
Basic Stations:
- Avalanche Fields 1, 2, 3: 9:00 – 13:00, 15:00 – 17:00
Exercises in avalanche risk assessment, probing, and using a transceiver. Starting every hour. - Winter Hiking 1 and 2: 9:00 – 13:00, 15:00 – 17:00
Introduction to the use of crampons, ice axes, and selecting ski touring equipment. Starting every hour. - Navigation: 9:00 – 13:00, 15:00 -17:00
How to use the GNSS system, marking points, plotting a route. Starting every hour. - Mountain First Aid: 9:00-13:00, 15:00- 17:00
Protection against hypothermia, thermal insulation. Starting every two hours.
Advanced Stations:
- Crevasse Self-Rescue 1 and 2: 9:00 – 13:00, 15:00-17:00
Exiting a crevasse, pulling out a partner. Starting every two hours. - Ski Mountaineering: 9:00 – 13:00, 15:00-17:00
Techniques in ski mountaineering terrain. Starting every two hours. - Emergency Situations: 9:00 – 13:00, 15:00-17:00
Analysis and coping in difficult conditions. Starting every two hours.
High Mountain Obstacle Course:
10:00-12:00 Open competitions.
12:00 – 12:30 Final and award ceremony.
Break in Training: 13:00 – 15:00
Awards distribution and prize drawing.
Lectures: Shelter Hall, 17:00 – 21:00
Sunday, April 7th
Avalanche Workshop: 9:00 – 13:00
For advanced participants, new in avalanche techniques.
Test Stations: 9:00-14:00
Presentation of equipment by well-known outdoor brands. Details available online.
More information at https://szkola-gorska.pl/dni-lawinowo-skiturowe/
Hokus Krokus 2024
Zakopane.com joins initiatives for the protection of crocuses, which every spring, attract an increasing number of nature lovers to the Tatra Mountains. Encouraging responsible behavior while admiring the purple crocus mosaic. If you decide to visit the Tatra National Park in search of crocuses, remember the code “Not a step further!”:
- Admire and photograph crocuses from the hiking trail.
- Do not enter the meadows to avoid trampling the crocuses.
- Do not sit (!) or lie down (!) among the crocuses while taking photographs or posing for pictures.
- Do not pick crocuses; let photographs be your souvenir.
- Do not park on the crocuses.
- Take your trash with you.
- Use the toilets in the shelter or the portable toilets along the trail.
- Be a guardian of the crocuses. If you see inappropriate behavior, react!
More information can be found on the website http://www.hokuskrokus.pl/ and at the Tourist Information Center in Kościelisko.
20th SPRING JAZZ 2024 – UNITED EUROPE JAZZ FESTIVAL
Celebrating 20 years of jazz vibrations! The United Europe Jazz Festival – Spring Jazz 2024 in Zakopane is not just an anniversary, but also a tribute to International Jazz Day, attracting jazz stars from Poland and abroad. The festival preludes begin on March 21st, featuring the project “Jazz Meets The Beatles” by Anna Gąsienica Byrcyn and a concert by the Czamanov Jazz Trio, leading up to the main events.
The festival kicks into full gear on April 30th, with Magdalena Krzemień inaugurating the event, followed by a special duo of guitarists – Marek Napiórkowski and Artur Lesicki, interpreting themes from Polish movies and TV series. The first day concludes with a performance by Andrzej Dąbrowski accompanied by the Robert Majewski Sextet.
The diversity of venues and artists is the essence of the festival, from street performances by Dizzy Boyz Brass Band, through a jazz journey in time with Młynarski & Masecki Jazz Band, to performances by artists like Hanna Banaszak. Spring Jazz also serves as a platform for international stars, including Mike Verby and Peter Lipa, offering a wealth of jazz experiences.
Since Poland joined the European Union in 2004, the festival in Zakopane has become an expression of joy and hope, blending jazz, blues, gospel, and folk into a unique musical marathon. Over the years, it has hosted music icons like the Golden Gate Quartet, Joe Murani, and Nigel Kennedy, becoming not just a celebration of jazz but a meeting of cultures.
XXVI Knowledge Contest about TPN
We are pleased to announce the 26th edition of the Knowledge Contest about the Tatra National Park, aimed at elementary schools in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. Co-organized with the School and Kindergarten Group in Murzasichle and the Poronin Municipality, the contest will begin on May 9, 2024. We invite you to submit entries by May 6, 2024!
This year’s contest will focus on the fascinating world of animals inhabiting the Tatra National Park. Participants will be required to demonstrate detailed knowledge about the park’s fauna, including the characteristics of individual species, their history, and the impact of tourism on animals.
The contest is intended for two-person teams and will consist of two stages: a written test and a final. To prepare for the competition, a lecture will be held at the TPN Natural Education Center in Zakopane on April 16, 2024, at 9:00 AM, which all participants are cordially invited to.
Documents necessary for participation in the contest, including regulations, registration form, GDPR consents, and image use consents, are available for interested parties. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact us at phone number 18 20 233 03, 722 223 890, or by email: areinholz@tpn.pl.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to deepen your knowledge of the Tatra nature and participate in an exciting competition!
Reminder:
Exhibition at the Red Manor “THE SCIENCE OF LOVE. CROSSES AND PIETÀS”
The exhibition “THE SCIENCE OF LOVE, CROSSES AND PIETÀS” is held at the Red Manor in Zakopane, organized by the Zakopane Centre of Culture and the Centre of Native Culture, running from February 24 to April 17, 2024. It presents unique crosses and Pietàs from private collections, delving into the depth of spirituality and tradition of Podhale. Admission is free, open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Exhibition titled “Enchanted – Traditional Tatra Landscape”
It takes place at the Oksza villa and is open to the public from December 1, 2023, to May 5, 2024. It showcases the diversity of the Tatra landscape through the prism of artistic works arranged thematically rather than chronologically, allowing visitors to discover the beauty of the mountains in a unique way.
