Farewells can be tough; we like hellos much better. The first stars that lit up our quays are slowly sailing away. Very soon, the carousel of attractions will slow down, and the churning emotions will come to a stop. However, the memories that Szczecin residents and tourists have after Żagle 2023 will remain for a long time. It’s time to wrap up our fantastic event.

The entire event area in a straight line would be over 4 km long. Over this distance, you could see 170 exhibitors, 5 themed zones, and over 30 vessels. Add to that 3 stages and 2 theme parks. Three days are simply not enough to fully enjoy every one of these places. If we were to have a look at these figures, we would reach an astronomical sum!

 2 stages

 3 anniversaries

 3 water fountains

 4 water curtains

 8 brass bands

 19 regatta participants

 21 artists

 24 participants in the vessel parade

 146 runners who covered a total distance of 730 km

 301 photo booth pictures

 1,500 active participants in the Water Supply and Sewerage Company quiz

 1,700 visitors at the Visit Szczecin booth

 2,280 minutes of music in the Craft Beer Zone

 7,000 working hours of security staff

 

We can’t forget the hundreds of people from the event staff and the technical services of Żegluga Szczecińska, Water Supply and Sewerage Company (ZWiK) as well as the Roads and Public Transport Authority (ZDiTM). Every one of them was like a ninja – invisible yet operating seamlessly. Their average number of steps was 35,000 every day. The event wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of Liaison Officers, who took such good care of the crew members docking at our quays. There were 23 of them. Over the course of three days of the sailing event, they marched around 45 km, making a total of 1,650,000 steps, and looked after nearly 400 crew members. We’re adding 19 press releases and thousands of photographs to the mix. All of this to ensure that the participants of our event have unforgettable memories they can cherish for a long time.

 

What was it like during Żagle 2023?

A sea of people, moving in waves throughout the entire event area. At times, each of our zones was filled to the brim! It’s a sign that Żagle 2023 is an event that pleasantly surprised both tourists and our city’s residents. Without a doubt, it was delicious and aromatic. All thanks to the food and drink venues on both sides of the Oder. Special beer types and flavour mixes attracted people to the craft beer area.

There were also musical highlights. The sounds of trumpets, clarinets, drum beats, and colourful parades – that’s the Brass Brand Festival for the Mayor of Szczecin’s Cup. Concerts featuring local and national celebrities were held. Bands performed sea shanties, folk tunes, and pop-inspired melodies on the stages at Łasztownia, near the Centaur monument, and on Grodzka Island. The International Sailing Awards winners received their statuettes. We organised regattas on Lake Dąbie and a race along the Boulevard. There were plenty of thrills in the theme parks and areas designed for the youngest. Our partners didn’t disappoint either – Port Szczecin–Świnoujście and the Water Supply and Sewerage Company. Their booths were packed with children who were completely immersed in the water and harbour world.

 

No summary can capture the spirit of this event. While it’s sad to bid farewell to the participants, both on land and water, it’s heartening to think that we’ll meet everyone again next year. During Tall Ships Races 2024!