Gdansk: St Dominic's Fair for the 761st time since July 24

"Despite various difficulties, despite the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic, we maintain tradition. This is an important signal coming from a city that has always become a trade and a merchant. We want to support entrepreneurs, give them the impetus to develop, but we also want to attract tourists as always. The fair of St. Dominic is one of the most recognizable brands in Poland when it comes to trade, tourism and cultural events," said President of Gdańsk Aleksandra Dulkiewicz at a press conference in the Old Town Hall.

Andrzej Bojanowski, President of the International Fair of Gdańsk S.A., organising the event, emphasized the significant role of the Fair of St. Dominic as an economic undertaking.

"For three weeks, the fair generates over PLN 700 million in flows between all industries and economies. These are estimates based on research of renowned German centres verified, among others, by the Pomeranian Scientific Institute" - explained the head of MTG.

Prior of the Dominican Order in Gdańsk Fr Michał Osek announced that from 15 July to 14 November the exhibition of the Museum of Gdańsk on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the arrival of Dominicans in Poland will be open in the Main Town Hall. The exhibition will include, among others, unshown exhibits from the church of St Nicholas in Gdańsk, which is the seat of monks.

A traditional indulgence service for St. Dominic, the founder of the Order, will be held on 8 August.

This year's Fair will be attended by 650 exhibitors from Poland, Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Moldova, Slovakia, Turkey and Italy. As in previous years, most of the stands will represent the crafts, collectors and artists.

Crames and catering booths will be located at approx. 45 thousand sq mi in the Śródmieście Gdańsk on streets such as Wide, Grobla I, Grobla II, Grobla III, Straganiarska, Tkacka, Kołodziejska, Węgielarska, Holy Spirit, Long Coast, Long Gardens, Łąkowa and Rybny Market.

For the 26th time there will be a Bread Festival. St Dominic's Fair is also a number of cultural events. The programme of this year's event includes Carillon concerts under the motto "Music from Gdańsk Towers", DJ music "Letni chillout, playing softly", classical and entertainment music "Concerts under the Stars", outdoor exhibition "Kajko and Kokosz na Dominika" dedicated to the comic book Janusz Christa and theatre performances for children "Baikwisko".

The tradition of the St Dominic's Fair dates back to 1260, when Pope Alexander IV allowed the Gdańsk Dominicans to grant well indulgences on the day of the feast of their founder. This religious ceremony was accompanied by a fair.

In one of the oldest preserved descriptions of the 16th century fair, papal nuncio Giulio Ruggieri wrote: "In the month of August there is a great fair here from St. Dominica fourteen days and longer lasting, to which Germany gathers, French, Flemish, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and then calls into port 400 ships loaded with French and Spanish wine, silk, oil, lemons, jams and other Spanish fetals, Portuguese roots, tin and English cloth".

After World War II, the organization of this traditional event was abandoned. The fair was reactivated in 1972 like a two-week event. A few years ago, it was decided to extend it to three weeks.

Written by Robert Pietrzak/PAP