The visit began with the guests attending a ceremonial meeting of the Kalisz City Council. The delegations had the opportunity to meet recipients of municipal honors and awards, as well as learn about the life and work of Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski, the patron of Kalisz’s cultural year. A particularly special moment was the presentation of a commemorative aerial photograph of Kalisz, taken by Paweł Kowalski, to the representatives of Hamm. The gift was meant as celebration of the 35th anniversary of the partnership between Kalisz and the German city.

The program also included a visit to the Castle Museum in Gołuchów. During a tour led by Paulina Vogt-Wawrzyniak, head of this branch of the National Museum in Poznań, the foreign guests learned about the history and culture of the region and admired the natural beauty of the Greater Poland landscape surrounding the castle.

The delegations also took part in the main events celebrating the birthday of the City of Kalisz. This year’s festivities were dedicated to Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski. The celebrations opened with a performance of “Zielono mi” (“I’m Feeling Green”), a composition by Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski with lyrics by Agnieszka Osiecka. Guests then enjoyed a concert by Ewa Uryga and a performance by the Kalisz Big Band New Collective, conducted by Krzysztof Kwiatkowski, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year.

A performance by students of Special Primary School No. 19, together with their teachers and special guests, also attracted considerable attention. Among those participating were Mayor Krystian Kinastowski, Deputy Mayor Grzegorz Kulawinek, and Małgorzata Kraszkiewicz. The performers presented the song “Razem” (“Together”), created collaboratively by the school’s teachers and students.

The event combined entertainment with education and the promotion of safety awareness. Delegates visited exhibits prepared by the Kalisz Municipal Headquarters of the State Fire Service and volunteer fire brigades from Sulisławice and Winiary. Firefighters showcased specialized rescue equipment and conducted first-aid demonstrations.

The delegations also visited Kalisz City Hall, where they explored a multimedia exhibition dedicated to the city’s history. Guests climbed the city hall tower and enjoyed panoramic views of Kalisz. One of the most symbolic moments of the visit was the joint cutting of an anniversary cake by Mayor Krystian Kinastowski and Hamm Deputy Mayor Jochen Dornseifer in the city hall’s reception room. The occasion celebrated 35 years of fruitful partnership and cooperation between the two cities.

Meetings with representatives of the partner cities, attended by city officials and members of the Kalisz City Council led by Chairman Sławomir Lasiecki, also provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and present solutions implemented in Kalisz. Discussions covered topics such as cultural heritage preservation, management of green spaces, and initiatives aimed at maintaining the city’s historical traditions. Such visits strengthen international relationships and foster continued cooperation for the benefit of local communities.