A Colorful Parade of Sport and Tradition to March Through the Streets of Toruń
In the heart of Toruń, a vibrant parade will pass through the streets of the Old Town, setting off from the New Town Market Square and arriving at the Old Town Market Square. The procession will be a unique blend of local tradition and the international spirit of sport. The event will form part of the World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 2026 and will also showcase the cultural heritage of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region.
The parade will begin at 3:30 PM. It will be preceded by a performance from a five-member drumming group moving between the Fan Zone at the New Town Square and the Old Town Square. A brass band will lead the procession, followed by folk ensembles and traditional music groups dressed in regional costumes. A symbolic welcome with bread and salt will be an important part of the event.
“I invite all residents of the region and our guests to join us in experiencing this unique event together. Let the streets of Toruń fill with color, music, and energy that show how strong our traditions are and how open we are to the world. Let’s meet in the parade and create an atmosphere worthy of a world championship,” said Piotr Całbecki.
Among the participants will be historical figures, including Nicolaus Copernicus accompanied by townspeople styled as former residents of the city. They will be joined by Toruń gingerbread makers and large-scale decorations inspired by the city’s symbols, including oversized gingerbread shapes adorned with athletics motifs and the region’s logo.
The parade will also feature circus performers—stilt walkers portraying royal figures and jesters—as well as the traditional Marzanna effigy, symbolizing the farewell to winter and the arrival of spring. Two impressive marionettes, approximately 3.5 meters tall and styled to reflect the championships, will also be created for the occasion.
During the event, 1,000 commemorative flags will be distributed, and participants will see banners bearing the slogan “Together We Create the World Championships.” The most creatively dressed participants, representatives of sports clubs, and winners of sports knowledge contests will receive tourism packages and promotional gadgets.
An integral part of the event will be a three-day food zone at the New Town Market Square, where rural housewives’ associations will present regional dishes—from goose specialties, sour rye soup, dumplings, and bigos to vegetarian options. Visitors will not only be able to taste the food but also learn how it is prepared. The area will be decorated with flowers, wreaths, and colorful ribbons, and workshops on making spring wreaths will also be available.
Szeroka Street, which forms part of the parade route, will be decorated with the flags of countries participating in the championships. Athletes, regional representatives, invited guests, residents, and tourists—including international fans—will all take part. Sports clubs representing various disciplines will also be featured, from athletics, speedway, and volleyball to rowing and cycling.
Opening Concert
The opening ceremonies will be enriched by a special concert titled “Sprint to the Stars,” which will take place on March 20 at 4:00 PM at the Old Town Market Square in Toruń. The stage will feature internationally and nationally renowned artists, including Ray Wilson, Oskar Cyms, and Gromee.
The event will not only be a musical spectacle but also an opportunity to meet legends of Polish athletics. Among those appearing on stage will be Anna Rogowska, Jacek Wszoła, Paweł Wojciechowski, as well as sprint record holders Marian Woronin and Marcin Urbaś. The meetings and discussions with the champions will be hosted by Agata Konarska. Admission to the concert is free.
A Unique Exhibition
The championships will also be accompanied by an outdoor exhibition titled “The Relays of Kujawy and Pomorze: 50 Days of a Shared Journey.” The exhibition will be presented along Królowa Jadwiga Street leading to the fan zone.
The display will feature photographs documenting an extraordinary relay that began on January 30 and, over 50 days, connected municipalities across the region. The symbolic baton traveled as much as 6,100 kilometers, passing from hand to hand—from students and young athletes to coaches, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Available from the opening day of the championships, the exhibition will tell a story of community, energy, and passion that are bringing Kujawsko-Pomorskie onto the global sports stage.
Beata Krzemińska
Press spokesperson of the Marshal’s Office
March 19, 2026