Active Autumn in Kielce

The capital of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship hosts many events in the autumn months. In addition to strictly economic meetings, such as the MSPO defense industry fair and the Polish-Ukrainian business conference, Kielce once again is a host to Europe's largest Mars rovers competition. It is also worth mentioning quite young initiative, i.e. promoting local handicraft workshops as part of the Craft Bazaar event.

International defense industry exhibition, 5-8 September

The most famous defense industry event in Poland was held in Targi Kielce for the 31st time. In each edition, Targi Kielce hosts the President of the Republic of Poland, representatives of government administration and commanders of various types of armed forces. Participants include also companies associated in the Polish Armaments Group and manufacturers of weapons and ammunition from around the world.

Few people know that similar fairs on the Old Continent are also held in London and Paris. The DSEI fair in London takes place every two years in September

and presents a wide range of products, solutions and services addressed to representatives of the armed forces, uniformed formations and rescue services. Eurosatory is the second largest trade fair in the world. Organized in June, they emphasize weapons intended for land forces.

The fair in Kielce is the third event of this type in Europe. MSPO is not only a comprehensive presentation of military equipment, but also business meetings and agreements concluded between defense sector manufacturers from different continents. This year, the fair was held on September 5-8.

Craft bazaar, September 9

The Chamber of Craftsmen and Entrepreneurs in Kielce, in cooperation with the City Hall of Kielce, organised the third edition of the outdoor event Craft Bazaar. Craftsmen is a community that helps to build a sense of local identity and creates the atmosphere of the city. The inhabitants of Kielce love the generation-old shoemakers' and tailors' workshops, bakeries smelling of bread, unique pastry shops, goldsmith's and bookbinding workshops, and other charming places.

In order to promote slowly dying professions, Kielce created a map of craftsmen on the Idea Kielce portal. You can find there unique gems of old craftsmanship. In addition, for the third time, the Craftsman's Bazaar was held, and, interestingly, it was combined with the organization of a nationwide conference of the chimney sweep industry.

– We had many guests from all over the country and international guests, and this was a fine opportunity to show the city's attractions and present the cultural offer of city institutions – says Bogdan Wenta, the Mayor of Kielce.

The Craft Bazaar is designed primarily for families with children. Among the most interesting attractions there was the ceremonial chimney sweep parade, which went through the streets of Kielce. Tastings of traditional products of the bakery, cold cuts and catering industry were part of the plan. Also, an interesting car exhibition, hairdressing and floristic shows, performances of music bands and games for children were interesting.

European rover challenge, September 15-17

The European Rover Challenge is an international rover competition in which teams of students from all over the world compete. The competition attracts to the city enthusiasts of new technologies and supporters of space exploration. They have to perform a number of tasks on a specially prepared track, similar in the shape and color of the soil to the Martian globe.

ERC is the biggest space-robotic event in Europe. This year it is held on September 15-17 on the campus of the Kielce University of Technology. About 30 teams from all over the world compete on the world's largest artificial Martian track. Guests of the event can take part in scientific workshops and listen to speakers talking about e.g. about space exploration. The City of Kielce is once again the Host City of the event.

Thanks to broadcasts and live coverage on social media, audiences from all over the world can join the ERC. Last year's edition of the event was attended by almost half a million people from the farthest corners of the globe thanks to the Internet broadcast. The event is also a kind of science festival for the inhabitants of Kielce, because during the competition you can simultaneously take part in spectacular experiments, test the operation of innovative devices or look for answers to scientific questions that bother us.

The participants of the competition themselves also have many benefits: working on the project allows students to gain knowledge and skills that go beyond the curriculum, familiarizes them with the space sector and indicates opportunities for professional development. The competition also increases the attractiveness of a candidate for an employee. It is an opportunity to establish international contacts, and even an impulse to start companies.

Conference "Join in! Polish-Ukrainian cooperation for reconstruction and strategic partnership”, 21 November

On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the partnership between Kielce and Winnica as well as the Świętokrzyskie and the Winnica regions, the Kielce authorities, in extensive cooperation with Targi Kielce and the Świętokrzyskie Voivodship Board, plan to organize a forum for discussion and cooperation between Polish and Ukrainian entrepreneurs. The event will be attended by the local government authorities of both cities and representatives of the central administration. Participation of companies and non-governmental organizations from cities cooperating with Winnica, e.g. Tarnów, Radom, Lublin, Łódź, Komorniki, is planned.

Poland’s joining the process of post-war reconstruction of Ukraine is a topic that is being discussed more and more, despite slow progress on the war front. This process will require detailed preparations, recognition of needs, inventory of damage, but most of all learning about the expectations and legal conditions being in force in a country so badly damaged by warfare.

Kielce has had great, long-term relations with Winnica. This collaboration dates back to 1958. In recent years, the cities have taken many joint actions that have strengthened relations between them. These included visits by teachers, students, officials, student exchanges, sharing good practices, organizing humanitarian aid during the war. Our cities feel this special bond and the obligation to help each other. The upcoming Polish-Ukrainian conference requires, above all, openness, dialogue and cooperation between the countries, as well as activity in many different fields that will contribute to the development of both countries.

Kielce is attractive for residents and for business

Numerous events taking place locally during this year's autumn encourage you to look for professional inspirations in Kielce. In addition to the possibility of deepening knowledge and making inspiring acquaintances, you can spend time in Kielce in an interesting way – both taking advantage of the offer of local events and the rich hotel and restaurant offer. Please, feel free to accept our invitation.

This article comes from magazine:
FOCUS ON Business #12 September-October (5/2023)