A festival of Irish culture will take place in Łódź, Poland on the weekend of March 14-17, 2025, and will feature a variety of events showcasing the best of Irish culture. Find out more here...
Organised by Łódź-born and now Galway-based Ivonka Kwiek, the OFF to Ireland festival will be held at the OFF Piotrkowska Centre, a unique and vibrant cultural center in the heart of Łódź. The center is home to a variety of restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops, as well as a number of art galleries and performance spaces. It's the perfect place to experience the energy of Łódź.
Łódź is a city with a rich history and culture. It was once a major industrial center, but in recent years it has become a hub for creativity and innovation. The city is home to a number of universities and research institutions, as well as a thriving arts scene. Łódź has been recognised by National Geographic as one of the most beautiful cities in Poland. The city is also a UNESCO City of Film and has been awarded the Green Expo award for its commitment to sustainable development. Łódź is a city of over 700,000 people and is well-connected to the rest of Europe. There are direct flights from Dublin to Łódź.
The programme for OFF to Ireland 2025 will include:
- An Irish food festival, where restaurants will serve Irish specialties imported from producers in County Galway, thanks to Ivonka's partnership with A Taste of Galway.
- A St. Patrick's Day Parade that will march down the city's main street.
- An open-air screening of the KNEECAP film.
- Theater performances inspired by the Galway Races and the legend of the Claddagh Ring.
- An exhibition of artwork on the theme of Ireland, with a competition for schoolchildren.
- A Galway Tourism Office, which will be open throughout the festival and will provide information about Galway and its attractions, thanks to the collaboration of Galway City Council.
All events will be free to attend!
The OFF to Ireland festival will take place under the honorary patronage of Patrick Haughey, Ambassador of Ireland to Poland, and Hanna Zdanowska, Mayor of Łódź.
Organiser Ivonka Kwiek has been working in cultural management and development for many years, both in Poland and Ireland, with a background is in culture, art, and management. Ivonka is passionate about supporting artistic creativity and making culture accessible and engaging for the public.
Having been connected to Ireland for a decade, and Galway in particular (currently living in Connemara),
Ivonka has implemented numerous projects promoting Polish culture and artists, connecting institutions in both countries, especially those in Łódź, her hometown.
"OFF to Ireland is a way for me to continue building bridges between these two cities, which, despite appearances, have a lot in common, including their status as UNESCO Cities of Film and thriving academic centers. My collaboration with OFF Piotrkowska Centre began last year. OPG Property Professionals, the owner of the OFF Piotrkowska Center, was seeking fresh ideas for their St. Patrick's Day celebrations
and invited me to join forces with them."
"OFF Piotrkowska Centre is a revitalised former factory located in the very heart of Łódź. For years after the collapse of the Polish textile industry, it stood empty and fell into disrepair. However, thanks to the vision of Michał Stys, CEO of Orange Property Professionals, the space has been transformed into a hub for entertainment, gastronomy, fashion, and business. And because OPG is a company with Irish roots, it is committed to promoting awareness of Irish culture and history and creating a platform for cooperation between the two countries. As a result, St. Patrick's Day has been an opportunity to experience Ireland in Łódź for several years now. And for the past year, thanks to my involvement, Galway has been a key partner in these celebrations."
"We want to capitalise on the growing interest in Irish culture in Poland to showcase Galway's offerings in the best possible light. We aim to encourage tourism and provide insights into Galway's history, achievements, products, and artists."
Find out more at OFF Piotrkowska Center's Website.
