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Urząd Miasta Leszna (Leszno Town Office)
Ul. Karasia 15, 64 - 100 Leszno
Tel. +48 65 529 81 00, +48 65 529 81 01, Fax +48 65 529 81 31
e-mail: [email protected]
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SPREAD YOUR WINGS
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European
GDAŃSK
We have always been an integral part of Europe,
in the historical sense and through town twinning with Suhl (25 years), Deurne (20 years)
and Montluçon (5 years). We also have contacts
with many other European cities and a town district from Africa. We cooperate on many levels
– business, education, culture and sport. We organize conferences and symposiums aimed at
finding solutions to problems of communities of
the twin towns. We share experience, organize
student exchanges, organize joint cultural, social and sports events. We help one another on
daily basis. We are friends.
Twin towns:
Suhl (Germany)
since 1984
Deurne (the Netherlands)
since 1989
Montluçon (France)
since 2004
Friendly towns:
St. Pölten (Austria)
since 2002
Sisak (Croatia)
since 2004
Stryj (Ukraine)
since 2003
Zweibrücken (Germany)
since 2004
Batoruri (Cameroon)
since 1999
BERLIN
WARSZAWA
POZNAŃ
LESZNO
WROCŁAW
KRAKÓW
PRAGA
Geographical location: 51o 51’N, 16o 34’E
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SPREAD YOUR WINGS !
eszno has the population of 64 thousand
inhabitants and it is one of the most important towns in the Wielkopolska region.
It is conveniently situated with easy access.
Leszno is open to new people, new ideas, new
initiatives. The town has cultural, business and
educational ambitions, it has a rich history and
interesting historical monuments connected
with king Stanisław Leszczyński. It is the world
centre of aviation sports and speedway. Leszno
has been visited and admired by thousands of
people, who want to come back here and who
are always welcome in our town.
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Tomasz Malepszy
President of Leszno
APPROXIMATE DISTANCE TO BIG CITIES:
Poznań – 80 km
Wrocław – 100 km
Warsaw – 350 km
Berlin – 340 km
Prague– 340 km
”Leszno is a unique town with unique
inhabitants. They are energetic, ambitious, resourceful. Thanks to their work
and involvement our town is developing and becoming more and more
beautiful. Spread your wings with us
and fulfil your dreams!”.
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The gliding festival, which takes place every year
in June, attracts hundreds of aviation enthusiasts. It is an exceptional occasion to visit the
airfield, see aerobatics or parachuting shows.
Participants of the event can choose from a wide
recreational offer of this exceptional place. They
can use several types of gliders, airplanes and
hot-air balloons. Thrill-seekers will definitely take
the opportunity to see Leszno from a plane or
glider soaring in the sky. Leszno is the only place
in Europe where you can fly a glider at night.
The Leszno Kennel Club regularly organizes “Prestige” and “Champion’ Show”
Dog Exhibitions, which attract dog lovers from all over the world.
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UNDER
THE LESZNO SKY
he biggest airfield in Europe of the Polish
Aero Club Central Gliding School in Leszno
is one of the most convenient places for gliding in the world. Leszno is the only town which
has hosted the World Gliding Championships
three times (1958, 1968, 2003). Leszno has
also hosted micro air vehicle competitions, ballooning and gliding championships on national
and European level. Open space on three sides
at the 126-hectare grass airfield and the nearby
sprawling fields make gliding safe and comfor-
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table. Enthusiasts of flying will find wellqualified staff and excellent equipment
here. The airfield also has hotel and restaurant facilities.
Janusz Centka
Pilot from the Leszno Aero Club,
he is the most distinguished glider pilot in
Poland, Citizen of Honour in Leszno
In the Central Gliding School
you can obtain:
tourist pilot licence
glider pilot licence
diamonds for the gold gliding badges
POLISH AERO CLUB CENTRAL GLIDING SCHOOL
address: ul. Szybowników 28
64-100 Leszno
Tel. +48 65 529 24 00, e-mail: [email protected]
www.css-leszno.it.pl
”Leszno is well known to all gliding enthusiasts. Favourable conditions for this
beautiful sport, will make beginning as
well as experienced pilots spread their
wings”.
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Sports
ambitions
Agnieszka Jerzyk
World Champion in Duathlon
under 23, Polish Champion in Triathlon
”The town of Leszno helped me to
achieve success by providing me with
world-class equipment. Such support
motivates me on the way to the 2012
Olympics in London. I am happy to represent the town that is helping me to
fulfil my dreams“.
THE BIGGEST SPORTS FACILITES IN LESZNO:
“AKWAWIT” CONFERENCE
AND RECREATION CENTRE:
indoor swimming pool, tennis courts
COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL SWIMMING POOL
SPORTS COMPLEX
AT THE ALFRED SMOCZYK STADIUM:
speedway stadium, athletics stadium,
speed bike racing track, outdoor swimming pool,
bowling alley, skate park
TRAPEZ SPORTS AND SPECTATOR HALL
INDOOR RIDING ARENA AT THE HIGHER SCHOOL
OF MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT
Leszno is also known for other sports such as
speed bike racing, triathlon, duathlon or women’s
basketball. Besides speedway and aviation
events, we also organize horse riding, fencing,
swimming, handball competitions on national as
well as international level.
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SPEEDWAY
PASSION
eszno is famous for world-class speedway.
The Unia Leszno Sports Club is one of the
oldest and the most successful clubs in Poland. It was established in 1938. Unia Leszno
has won Team Speedway Polish Championship
medals many times and its riders have also won
medals in individual racing competitions. In the
years 2007-2009 Leszno organized the Speedway World Cup Final and Speedway Grand Prix
Championship. Unia Leszno managed to pro-
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long the agreement to organize these
events. They will take place in Leszno until 2012. Speedway competitions at the
Alfred Smoczyk Stadium attract thousands of spectators.
Leigh Adams
Speedway Rider of Unia Leszno,
Citizen of Honour in Leszno
ALFRED SMOCZYK
An indisputable Polish speedway celebrity. He was born
on 11th October 1928 in Kościan. He joined the Leszno
Motor Club in 1946. His brilliant career ended on 29th
September 1950 when Smoczyk lost his life in a tragic accident. Since 1951 Alfred Smoczyk Memorials have taken
place in Leszno. In 2008 there was the presentation of
the Alfred Smoczyk Monument at the stadium. The monument was made by Piotr Wełniak.
”It's been an honor to race for Unia
Leszno and I always love coming to the
city. I am grateful to the people of
Leszno for accepting me as I have adopted it as my second home! The people
are so friendly, welcoming and helpful...
it reminds me a little of my home
in Australia“.
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Zdzisław Moliński
Director of the Castle in Rydzyna,
regionalist, author of the Leszno
and the region guide book
”King Stanisław Leszczyński, the most
distinguished person among the Personages of Former Leszno, is well known
in Europe. The towns that he visited
have taken advantage of his legend to
build their tourist image. In Leszno, the
town “immersed in history”, personages and events dating back to many
centuries ago are brought back to life
thanks to various events and projects.
This gives our town a special unique
character appreciated by tourists“.
Leszno, which was granted the foundation charter in 1547, is a town of beautiful baroque architecture with the urban layout which is several
hundred years old. When you visit the town
you must see the most beautiful baroque-classicistic town hall in Wielkopolska, the impressive baroque collegiate church, the magnificent
synagogue, former evangelical churches and
the residence of the town owners.
Leszno owes it rich history to its owners: representatives of the Leszczyński and Sułkowski families who were open-minded, tolerant, resourceful and prudent people. The two-time
king of Poland – Stanisław Leszczyński was
brought up here. He was one of the most outstanding rulers of Poland.
THE RETURN OF THE KING
Every year in August a special event takes place in
Leszno; it is “The Return of the King”. It is a unique
occasion to experience the baroque atmosphere of
Leszno when it flourished. During that special day King
Stanisław Leszczyński takes over the power in Leszno.
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THE LESZNO REGION
A RIGHT ROYAL WELCOME !
he Leszno region is an exceptionally attractive
area offering tourists a range of tourist attractions and numerous ways of spending
free time. You must visit the beautiful castles, palaces, manor houses, historical churches and
windmills. The area around Leszno is perfect for
relaxation among nature. Two landscape parks,
a dozen or so nature reserves and educational
trails are perfect for hiking and cycling trips. Enthusiasts of water sports: canoeing, sailing,
windsurfing and angling will definitely find something interesting to do. A big asset of the region are horse riding centres where you can ride
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10 TOURIST PRODUCTS
IN THE LESZNO REGION
THE LESZNO REGION
A RIGHT ROYAL WELCOME
(cultural tourism)
UNDER THE LESZNO SKY
(aviation tourism – aviation sports)
SPEEDWAY
(sports tourism – speedway)
LILY OF THE VALLEY CANOE TRAIL
(active tourism)
CONFERNCES IN THE LESZNO REGION
(business tourism)
LESZNO FLAVOURS
(farm tourism)
BEAUTY HIDDEN IN WOOD
(sightseeing tourism, cultural tourism)
HIKING ACROSS LESZNO – REGION
(hiking tourism)
LESZNO CYCLING TRAILS
(active tourism)
THE LESZNO REGION ON HORSEBACK
(active tourism)
horseback, go on horse riding tours or
horse-drawn carriage trips. There are
more and more tourist farms with their excellent cuisine.
We give a right royal welcome to tourists !
Ewa Przydrożny
Director of the Wielkopolska
Tourist Organization Office
”Leszno is a town rich in history and
traditions. The town has a comprehensive offer for tourists with different interests. There are many attractions for
enthusiasts of sightseeing as well as
more active forms of spending free
time. Professional tourist products have
been prepared for tourists visiting
Leszno“.
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Julia Sawicka
Pianist, jazz singer,
scholarship holder of the music
school in New York College at Oneonta,
President of the Pro-Musica
Educational Foundation
”People of all ages can participate in
numerous music events organized in
Leszno. Often such meetings are a beginning of an artistic life. You can surely
spread your wings and soar through the
limitless world of art in Leszno“.
CULTURE IN NUMBERS
Leszno in comparison to other towns in Wielkopolska in 2007
LESZNO
Population
PIŁA
OSTRÓW
WLKP.
KALISZ
64 057
74 687
72 434
108 031
Number of clubs
24
19
4
5
Number of events
675
652
58
257
113 879
88 899
12 210
82 121
27,58
19,33
16,12
20,81
Number of people taking
part in events
Number of books borrowed per one reader
Source: Regional Data Bank GUS (Central Statistical Office)
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CULTURAL
INSPIRATIONS
s far as cultural life is concerned, everyone will find something interesting to
do in Leszno. Events such as the Leszno
Days, The Return of the King, Summer Fair, Music and Folklore Festival, Advent Fair attract
many visitors. The Leszno market square is vibrant with cultural life during those events. You
can develop your musical talents in the music
school, during Jazz workshops or in the Brass
Band Club. You can join numerous clubs to polish your dancing, photography, artistic and
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other skills. Literature lovers regularly visit the Municipal Public Library. They also
take part in soirées, poetry meetings,
plays for children. Exhibitions organized
by the Municipal Art Exhibitions Office
and the Regional Museum are also very
popular.
Marcin Rozynek
Musician, song writer, producer, winner of
music awards, including Fryderyk, Superjedynka, Eska Music Awards (the most prestigious music awards in Poland)
”Leszno is a place where I find order
and that order has some intentional
sense. And I am always impressed by
the people who are dedicated to many
causes which are important not only
to themselves but also to the whole
community. That is inspiring“.
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Leszno has attractive investment land covering
the area of over 50 hectares. In the south-eastern
part of the town, in the vicinity of national road
no. 5, there is the I.D.E.A. Investment Zone where
the town established the Wałbrzych Special Economic Zone. Entrepreneurs setting up their business there may take advantage of public assistance in the form of income tax deduction. The
town also offers property tax exemption to
investors.
Development strategy for Leszno
Vision
Leszno is a middle-sized town offering its inhabitants excellent living
conditions and good jobs especially in knowledge-based economy.
Leszno is the services centre of the region with a wide offer in the
area of commerce, finances, education, higher education, culture,
medicine, information, recreation and sport.
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OPEN
TO BUSINESS
he town is the most important economic
centre in the Leszno region. In December
2007, in Leszno there were 8583 economic entities including 123 companies with foreign capital. Most businesses function in the
services sector (48%) as well as commerce and
services (31%). Production industry encompasses 9% of Leszno enterprises. The dominating
branches are clothing, furniture, metal, machine and food industry. 94% of the registered
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Unemployment rate in Leszno in %
in the years 2003-2007
14,5
13,4
11,0
8,5
6,0
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
companies in the town are micro companies employing up to 9 people. Most
employees in companies employing more
than 9 people are in the services sector
(42%) and industry (37%).
Janusz Szyszkowiak
President of the Leszno Pump Company Ltd.
”Leszno is a good place for running
business. Evidence of this is the success
of the Leszno Pump Company, whose
potential is based on highly qualified
employees and state of the art technology and standards in production
and management“.
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HIGHER STANDARD
SCHOOLS
eszno is reinforcing its position as an academic town.
Nearly 7400 students study in higher education schools
in Leszno. New faculties are being opened to meet the
current needs of the market. Inhabitants of Leszno understand
that education is their investment in the future and that is why
they take advantage of the wide educational offer at all stages of their life. Almost 90% of children in Leszno attend kindergartens. All primary schools provide swimming lessons. Numerous lower and upper secondary schools offer extra-curricular activities. Emphasis is put on learning foreign languages.
Leszno has the DSD II (Deutsches Sprachdiplom) examination
centre, young people can take part in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme or in the European Socrates Comenius programme.
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HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOOLS IN LESZNO IN 2007
Higher Vocational State School - www.pwsz.edu.pl
Higher School of Humanities - www.wsh-leszno.pl
Higher School of Marketing and Management - www.wsmiz.edu.pl
Poznań University of Economics Centre of Higher Education in Leszno
In total: 7383 students,
including: 2782 full-time students
EDUCATION IN LESZNO IN 2007
Number of schools Number of students
Primary schools
12
4 011
Lower secondary schools
12
2 573
Secondary schools
7
2 629
Specialized secondary schools
3
114
8
1 004
15
2 639
Basic vocational schools
Technical schools
Source: US (Statistical Office) Poznań