First Edition of the International Boat of Culture Festival in Łódź

This weekend from Friday to Sunday, the first edition of the International Boat of Culture Festival will be held in Łódź.

Initiated, planned and organized by a mixed group of volunteers from Poland and abroad, the aim of the festival is to raise awareness of the growing international community in Łódź, to interact with each other and ultimately learn from each other through art and culture. The weeks of planning, meetings with the council and presentations to potential investors and partners have finally paid off and the festival will kick off this Friday.

The Łódź Post has met with Catalina and Samuel from Romania and Spain, who are involved in different multicultural projects for example “Aliens in Lodz”.

Łódź Post: Catalina, Samuel, Łódź is a long way from home. What made you decide to come to Łódź?
Catalina: I consider myself a very lucky girl. I wanted to make a change in my life, so I decided to apply for European Voluntary Service. I would say that Łódź chose me in a way, but this is the place I could come for this experience.
Samuel: I came to Łódź, because I found a nice project to do European Voluntary Service.

Łódź Post: If you would have to describe Łódź in three words, how would you describe it?
Catalina: Alternative, Cosmopolitan, Alive
Samuel: Opportunities, Underground, Artistic

Łódź Post: You are running a project called “Aliens in Łódź”. Can you tell us more about it and why you have decided to start it?
Catalina & Samuel: Aliens in Łódź is our personal project, part of our voluntary service. We started it in November and since then we organized more than 40 events in the city. The aim of this project is to bring internationals and locals together, to strengthen the communication and interaction through culture and art.

Łódź Post: The name “International Boat of Culture” is not as random as one may think, how and why did you decide on it?
Catalina: We played a bit with the words, Łódź means boat in Polish. Also, on a boat you have different people, with different backgrounds and knowledge. For this festival, we tried to create the environment of a boat, to gather different cultures, to share our experiences and to sail the city.
Samuel: It was interesting to use Łódź somehow for name of the festival, and it was great idea to use the translation into English and combine it with culture, because our aim was to show cultures from other countries.
Cata came up with the name, i think it is catchy and expresses what we want bring to city with this festival.

Łódź Post: Łódź is slowly developing into a multicultural and multinational city. More and more multinational companies decide to settle in Łódź over Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw etc. Have you received any support from the city council or the multinational companies in Łódź for the festival?
Catalina and Samuel: Our main partners are Nordea and the University of Łódź. We have also received a lot of support from the council with regards to promotional assistance.

Łódź Post: The festival will last from Friday to Sunday with the main events taking place on Saturday. Looking at the events you have planned, what will be your personal favourites?
Catalina: We prepared a lot of great activities, such as concerts, workshops, free bazaar, exhibitions, international food and many more. But my favourite are the free bazaar and living library.
Samuel: For me the whole event on Saturday is the key of International Boat of Culture, we worked really hard to make it happen, i cannot wait to see how is going to be.

Łódź Post: We do not want to take too much of your time because we know you must be quite busy with your preparations. In one sentence, what should we expect and what should we take with us from the festival?
Catalina: Expect a lot of fun and inter-cultural experience. We hope that this festival will bring knowledge, understanding and new friendships. We are looking forward to organize future editions of this wonderful voluntary initiative. You are all welcome aboard of the International Boat of Culture!
Samuel: This weekend is the moment to open your mind, meet the international community living in Łódź. It’s time to enjoy and learn about other cultures. Bring all your energy with you and be prepare to have a good time!

The International Boat of Festival is open from Friday to Sunday. On Saturday, at Piotrkowska 217 from 10am to 10:30pm, you will be able to take part in workshops, taste a variety of international food, view photo and graphic exhibitions or just simply listen to live music.

Make sure you do not miss this event!

To follow the International Boat of Culture Festival click