Newsroom

Poland prepares to host 40th KI-EF Convention

The Kiwanis International-European Federation (KI-EF) will celebrate its milestone 40th convention June 1-2, 2007, in Gdansk, Poland.

“As Kiwanis in Europe marks history with its 40th KI-EF Convention, it is fitting the occasion is set in Gdansk,” says 2006-07 KI-EF President Giampaolo “Jean Paul” Ravasi. “Our opening ceremony will be in the Forest Opera, surrounded by trees rather than walls, and Europe’s longest pier will be the venue for our gala dinner and show. It will be unforgettable.”

Poland’s largest seaport, Gdansk rests on the Baltic Sea’s Gdansk Bay and against the Motlawa River. Though the 1,000-year-old city was almost completely destroyed during World War II, its architecture has been carefully restored. Visitors to the Old Town area will find an array of eye-catching architecture, from colorful Burgher houses to impressive Gothic behemoths, such as Basylika Mariacka  (St. Mary’s Basilica, the largest brick church in the world), Zuraw (the medieval port crane), and Katownia (the “torture tower”).

In the Oliwa district, visiting Kiwanians won’t want to miss the Oliwa Cathedral and its famous baroque organs. KI-EF conventioners may even have the fortunate timing to hear one of the Cathedral’s summer organ concerts. Also in Oliwa are beautiful Oliwa Park, which boasts a host of ancient shade trees, tranquil paths, and the Exotic Palm House, and the Oliwa Zoo, Poland’s largest zoo.

And, Gdansk is ripe with cozy cobblestone-street-side cafes, ideal for Kiwanians to mull over the organization’s convention business, or for chatting with old and newfound Kiwanis friends.

For more information and details about the 40th KI-EF Convention, visit www.kiwanis-europe.org.