US Army News Translated – Poznań, February 17

Poznań Run June ’56 is set to kick off with registration opening on February 13 for this annual event that commemorates the workers’ uprising of 1956. Participants have the option to choose between running distances of 5 or 10 kilometers, with additional events such as a Remembrance Relay and family and children’s runs also included in the program.

This event stands out among others in the country as it follows a route that passes through authentic sites connected to the historic events of 1956. Runners will have the opportunity to pass through significant locations such as the former Hipolit Cegielski Works, the Volkswagen Foundry, and the Rail Vehicle Factory – sites where the workers’ protest originated.

The starting and finishing point of the run will remain the mural that commemorates the Poznań June 1969 protests at the HCP grounds. The route, which navigates through the industrial sector of the city, adds a distinct historical dimension and character to the event.

Participants can select between the 5 or 10-kilometer routes, with the longer route featuring the June 1956 Remembrance Relay. The relay comprises five 2-kilometer sections with designated transition zones at points of historical significance during the protest. Additionally, there are family and children’s races scheduled to allow individuals of all ages to join in on the event.

Organizer Szymon Sobczak highlights the educational aspect of the June ’56 Run, emphasizing the importance of teaching future generations the values of freedom, solidarity, and responsibility for their shared historical heritage. Each participant will receive a commemorative medal and educational materials explaining the history of the Poznań June events. An educational zone will be set up at the finish line in collaboration with museums to provide participants with a deeper understanding of the workers’ uprising.

2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the Poznań June 1956 events, a crucial moment in the resistance against the communist regime in the post-war Eastern Bloc. In honor of this historic event, the Poznań City Council has designated this year as the Year of the Heroes of the Poznań June 1956, reflecting the importance of these events for the city’s identity. City councilors unanimously selected this year’s patrons in October 2025 to pay tribute to all those involved in the heroic uprising.

As a guide to the sporting events in Poznań for 2026, the Canoeing World Championships in August is expected to be a highlight among numerous other thrilling events spanning various disciplines in the capital of Greater Poland.