Gorzow Wielkopolski is not only the largest city in the province but it is also the region's true hub, the real centre where the administration, economic, cultural and social threads intertwine. Their mutual interaction consolidates Gorzow's standing in Poland and the rest of the world. That is no exaggeration. For years Gorzow has been proud of its openness and excellent contacts with its foreign partners. But how could it have been any different in a border city in which the trans-border trade and lively social contacts have flourished down the centuries?

The city's unusually advantageous location is clearly visible at first sight. This city on the River Warta is where the international road routes from Scandinavia to the Balkans intersect with those from Germany to the Baltic States. Such major cities like Berlin, Poznan and Szczecin are only within a 100 kilometre radius. The busiest border crossing points in western Poland are located in the Gorzow region. Slubice, Swiecko, Kunowice and Kostrzyn on the Odra are used by more than 50 million travellers every year.

Gorzow Wielkopolski covers an area of about 86 km² and has a population of around 130,000. Following the national administration reforms in 1999 the city became the seat of local government and one of the two capitals of the Lubuskie Province.

Potential visitors can arrive in Gorzow Wielkopolski by using the excellent road, rail and waterway connections but in the near future, it may also be possible by air.

Culture

In the city there are many places where people can meet, listen to music, exchange views and opinions or admire famous works of art. The BWA gallery has been open to visitors for almost 30 years and presents the works of outstanding Polish artists. The Photography and New Media gallery presents the newer types of art. Both galleries can be found in the City Arts Centre. The Centre also houses the "60 Krzesel" ("60 Chair") Cinema as well as the "Megaron" Discussion Film Club.

The "Pod Filarami" ("Under the Pillars") Jazz Club is one of the city's leading night spots. It has staged some of the best Polish jazz musicians, from Adam Makowicz and Tomasz Stanko to Urszula Dudziak and Zbigniew Namyslowski, as well as such world jazz luminaries as Al Foster, Billy Cobham, Billy Hart, Randy Brecker and Adam Holzman. The club has also hosted performances by such non-jazz artists as Grzegorz Turnau, Ewa Demarczyk, Edyta Geppert, Jan Nowicki, the group Piwnica pod Baranami with Piotr Skrzynecki and many others. Once a year a jazz festival, known throughout the country, called the Jazz Autumn "Klucz do Kariery" ("The Key To your Career") and an extension of the Pomeranian Jazz Festival, is organized here.

The club stimulated the creation of the Gorzowska Scena Jazzowa (The Gorzow Jazz Scene) which gathers local musicians representing a high artistic level.

Since 1986 the club has also organized a unique form of child and youth musical education project. Once a month, at local schools and clubs, the Small Jazz Academy lessons are held with the assistance of exceptional Polish jazz musicians. These sessions are attended by approximately 2700 eager participants each year and already more than 22000 graduates have received a Small Jazz Academy diploma.

Thanks to the diverse range of galleries, enthusiasts of art and photography can not only view but also purchase exceptional works of contemporary art and everyone can participate in the various serial cultural events of which there are many in Gorzow Wielkopolski.

The most famous of these are the "Romane Dyvesa", an International Meeting of Gypsy Bands, the Reggae on the River Warta, the Biennial Sacred Art Photography Exhibition, the Gorzow Drama Meetings and, of course, Jazz Autumn "The Key to your Career". Thanks to international cooperation, Gorzow Wielkopolski also hosts the concerts of National Brandenburg Orchestra.

The official website

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