Solidarity (Solidarność) – a nationwide trade union, emerged in 1980. Its history is inseparably bonded with the Gdansk Shipyard and Lech Walesa himself. Because of him and other people participating in the movement dissident activities we now can live in a democratic country. Because of being Solidarity’s birthplace, Gdansk is known as a “city of freedom”.
Freedom to choose a workplace
A dozen years ago Gdansk Shipyard impersonated the whole Gdansk job market. However, the last couple of years brought a huge change, so now one can find employment in almost every branch. Most job offers come from IT industry, finances, administration and human resources. Since 2017 til now, up to 7975 new businesses have been registered.
Many vibrant international corporations have their branches in Gdansk. They are also in constant search for specialists. One look at the most popular ads website quickly provides us with almost 2000 job offers, including giants like State Street, Intel, Amazon, Bayer, Swarovski and Addeco. Local job market is not restricted to international companies – many major polish brands like Netia, UPS or LPP S.A. (owner of Reserved, House and Mohito) are also looking for new employees. More and more employers keep hiring inexperienced workers for junior positions what gives chance for the ones who have just graduated and want to develop their skills in a particular area of their professional interest.
Freedom of free-time activities
Pomerania residents can enjoy over 300 km of the Baltic Sea beaches and almost 1000 lakes. The region is known for one of the biggest forests in Poland – Bory Tucholskie, the unique moving sand dunes in Slowinski National Park, the Old and Main City of Gdansk full of listed buildings, exceptional Teutonic Knights’ castle in Malbork or Hel Peninsula – the place where Poland begins. These are only a few attractions which are truly worth seeing while spending your quality time in Pomerania.
Everyone who prefers outdoor activities will be glad to find out that Gdansk has a well- developed bike lane infrastructure. It makes moving around the city a lot easier and gives the opportunity to organise interesting biking tours. There are over 690 km of bike lanes in Gdansk!
Kashubia region, which is a great place to rest surrounded by nature, can be visited thanks to PKM trains. The continual modernisation of railroad infrastructure simplifies moving through the whole Pomerania and enjoying the best it offers.
Freedom of culture
Gdansk is one of the biggest community centres in Poland. Here you can find The Fryderyk Chopin Polish Baltic Philharmonic in Gdansk, Baltic Opera, Wybrzeze Theatre, The Gdansk Shakespeare Theatre, Miniatura Theatre (one of the oldest Puppetry in Poland), art galleries (Gdansk City Gallery, Wyspa Gallery, Gdansk Archipelago of Culture, Centre for Contemporary Arts), museums (National Maritime Museum in Gdansk, Gdansk National Museum, Archeological Museum in Gdansk). Every year Gdansk hosts many music and theatre festivals such as Feta, Gdansk Lift The Miusic , Wybrzeze Sztuki, Jazz Jantar, Carillon Festival and Siesta Festival.
European Solidarity Centre was founded in 2007 as a cultural institution oriented at ‘promulgation of Solidarity’s heritage’. Right now ESC conducts a broad-ranged educational and scientific activities. “Paths to Freedom” is a core exhibition to be seen there. Many outside and temporary exhibitions are organised occasionally.
St. Dominic’s Fair is one of Gdansk’s symbols. It’s an annual cultural and commercial event with the tradition of more than 750 years! It takes place in August and is a true place of interest. Flea market, antiques, unique and entertaining cultural programme, delicious regional and national food are only a few reasons why people from all around Europe want to be here.
A workplace where one can develop professionally, a diversity of free time activities, opportunities to pursue one’s hobby, all this can be achieved in Gdansk – The City of Freedom. Here, because of Solidarity, Polish freedom had the chance to be reborn and fill each and every square meter of the city. The changes that happened in Gdansk were reflected not only in a different political regime, but mainly in the inhabitants who gained the opportunity to decide for themselves and enjoy freedom.
