Rod Rocks Toruń!

Images courtesy of Graham Harris

Last night, Rod Stewart was live in Toruń! He performed all his greatest hits to many Polish fans at the MotoArena stadium. This is the 2nd time that a big name has come to Toruń; last year Jose Carreras also peformed. If this is to become a regular occurrence...then who will it be next year? Madonna?!!

Many thanks to Graham Harris for sending in the photos.

A Rock Legend in Toruń

Well they are really trying to put Toruń on the international map. The average UK tourist has no idea where Toruń is...and yet Mr Rock Legend himself Rod Stewart has chosen Toruń as the sole Polish venue for an upcoming concert. On 11th June "Mr Maggie May" will be rocking the aisles in Toruń's new Motor Arena stadium. It's not the first time that an international music legend has performed in Toruń. Last year Jose Carreras (one 1/3 of The Three Tenors) gave a one-night performance at the stadium. It's all part of a strategy to try and get some punters in (other than speedway fans). And why not? Great to have some international stars here in Toruń!

National Mourning: Divided in Politics, United in Grief

The week of national mourning is coming to a close. Today in Warsaw there will be a special memorial service at 12pm in which millions are expected to attend. Tomorrow in Krakow it will be the state funeral of the Presidential couple. Security is tight and in both cities there will be strict prohibition...so all pubs, clubs wiill be closed and the selling of alcohol forbidden.

The nation may be united in grief but the political strains are starting to show, with many people protesting the decision to bury Kaczynski and his wife in the Wawel - a Royal castle in Kraków that is the burial site for Polish kings and heroes. Many feel that this is not the place for presidents.

There are also concerns that the many expected dignatries (including Obama) will not be able to make it to Krakow due to the volcanic ash fiasco!! So pardon the pun...it's all literally up in the air!!

These images taken last night show the continuing outpouring of grief in Toruń. There was also a special Mozart memorial concert held in the University church. A large TV screen was erected outside for those unlucky ones unable to squeeze into the church.

Live music in Toruń

This is Polish band Móha C.C. performing live last night in the local pub/music venue 'Toruńska Piwnica Artystyczna' here in town. Móha C.C. which features our occassional Toruń DP photographer Mark Hoogslag (see the pics) provide ethnotrance music. You can view this page which has more info about last night's gig: http://www.tpart.pl/archiwum/maj2007/21.05.2007.html.

Toruń really does cater for anyone and everyone, with live entertainment regularly each night!

Rockin in Toruń!

Last night Toruń played host to the massive music concert "Zakochaj się w Toruniu" ("Love in Toruń") which took place in the Main Square of Toruń. The event which was broadcasted live around Poland on the TV network Polsat attracted thousands. Toruń was literally heaving last night!

Luckily, Toruń Daily Photo had access behind the scenes in the VIP section and so we managed to get up and close with all the Polish celebrities, which included the Rock group Kombi, singers Kasia Cerekwicka and Justyna Steczkowska as well as numerous actors from popular Polish soaps such as the long-running 'M jak Miłosz'.

The photos above capture the huge stage in full action (under the watchful eye of Copernicus!), as well as lead singer of Kombi...Grzegorz Skawiński as he meets his fans. Incidentally, Kombi who were the headliners have been around since 1976. You can read more about them (albeit in Polish) at http://www.kombi.pl/ .