Tradition of the St. Dominic's Fair goes back to year 1260, when Pope Alexander IV gave the Gdańsk Dominicans the privilege to organize a fair. Since then, the fair is held in Gdańsk in early August, so that in the calendar was a day of the Fair patron. Contemporary formula of the St. Dominic's Fair refers to the medieval tradition of the Dominican festival, so trading and fun. Every year many craftsmen, artists and collectors arrive, who are supported by the increasingly varied cultural and entertainment programs.

Tradition obliges

History of the St. Dominic's Fair has already 750 years. Being once a place of trade between merchants from different parts of Europe, over the centuries changed its character. Despite the passage of time, some elements of the annual event remained constant. As every year, the event will be inaugurated by the theatrical parade in historic setting, which will follow the historical and mythical figures. There will also be the Marine Feast of St. Dominic, Bread Festival and Printer's Baptism.

For everyone something else

Each year the organizers are trying to diversify the cultural and entertaining programme which accompanies the Fair. This year, even the biggest malcontent should find something suitable for own self. There will be concerts, theatre performances and colourful happenings. On the first day will perform a known Welsh musician John Porter, and at the end will play an unconventional band Łąki Łan. For people who prefer different music were prepared among others XII edition of the Gdańsk Carillion Festival and Gospel Night in Gdańsk. In the fair's arbour, which will be set at the Grobla I street, will be held concerts of classical music.

During this year's fair, there will also be held sports activities. There will be the 18th International St. Dominic's Run, and on the Targ Węglowy we will have the opportunity to watch the struggles of the strongest men in Poland during the Polish Strongman Cup.

For the youngest participants of the St. Dominic's Fair was prepared so called Bajkowisko, the fairy tale land of good humour. On the arranged land on the Plac Kobzdeja, beyond the theatre performances, children can participate in numerous games and workshops.

This year are also provided some interesting activities for guests who will be able to write in the fair's guest book, and at 12:12 every day will be able to hear the bugle call that will resound from the Main Town Hall. For born on 14 August is prepared a mysterious surprise within the happening " Born in August".

Dominic in Johannes' company

Gdańsk fair of course has its patron - St. Dominic, but this year he will be exceptionally accompanied by Johannes Hevelius, because the year 2011 was proclaimed the year of the famous Gdańsk astronomer. Therefore, during this year's fair we will be able to learn about Hevelius achievements, among others thanks to the exhibition of drawings of constellations "Stop of the art and science - reach for the stars", the carillon concert " In memoriam Johannis Hevelii" and the evening fashion show- "Hevelius stars".

Detailed programme of the St. Dominic's Fair

I WEEK

30 JULY - SATURDAY

Royal's Route, Długi Targ - stage

12 p.m. Opening ceremony of the St. Dominic's Fair 2011

Theatrical parade „Johannes Hevelius Fair".

Opening performance with participation of Mayor of Gdańsk

3 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m. Concerts on the biggest drum in the world

Ryszard Bazarnik - drums,

Maria Pomianowska, Iza Kowalewska - singing, Dima Goreli - guitar

Targ Węglowy - stage

10 p.m. John Porter with the band - concert

Fireworks show after the concert

31 JULY - SUNDAY

Targ Rybny, Długi Targ, St. Nicholas Church

Marine Feast of St. Dominic - is a spiritual remembrance of the religious roots of the fair. The main event of the Feast is a festive procession along the city streets to the St. Nicholas Church, chaired by Archbishop of Gdańsk. The crowning of the ceremony is the mass.

12 p.m. Flown in of Dominican to Motława river on the galleon, festive procession along city streets

1 p.m. Ceremonial mass in the St. Nicholas Church

Długi Targ - stage

1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Colours of Folklore
A colourful parade and concerts of folk groups from Kashubia
and friendly countries and regions

9 p.m. Concert of Paula and Karol band

3-17 AUGUST

Targ Węglowy

11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Strike the iron while is hot!
Shows of artistic metalwork - the traditional forging and Damascus steel
with armourer masters

3 AUGUST - WEDNESDAY

Grobla I - Altana Artystów

9 p.m. "Concerts under the stars"
This is a series of evening meetings with the audience in an intimate, unique setting.
The cycle begins the three tenors concert entitled "Voices by weight of gold".
Artists: Waldemar Bączyk, Wojciech Lewandowski, Marcin Pomykała

4 AUGUST - THURSDAY

Plac Kobzdeja - stage

2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Bajkowisko - the fairy tale land of good humour for the youngest

2 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. Hyde Park (children write fairy tales) - the sponsor of the day are letters „Ż" and „Ś"

2:40 p.m. - 4 p.m. Fairy tales about colours - rainbow wrap (games and fun)

4 p.m. - 5 p.m. „Król Ból" - performance of the Qfer Theatre from Gdańsk

9 p.m. Concerts under the stars - Music soundtracks

Joanna Knitter - vocal, Marek Jurski - keyboard, Piotr Góra - percussion,

Tomasz Przyborowicz - bass

5 AUGUST - FRIDAY

Długi Targ - stage

5 p.m. 8 p.m. XIII Gdańsk Carillon Festival

Mobile Gdańsk Carillon and Paul Maassen - great Dutch jazz carillon player

Janusz „Macek" Mackiewicz - bass guitar, Grzegorz Sycz - percussion,

Artur Jurek - keyboards.

Plac Kobzdeja - stage

2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Bajkowisko

2 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. Hyde Park (children write fairy tales) - the sponsor of the day is a letter "F"

2:40 p.m. - 4 p.m. Fairy tales about shapes and figures (games and fun)

4 p.m. - 5 p.m. „Krawiec Niteczka" - performance of the Malutki Theatre from Łódź

6 AUGUST - SATURDAY

Długi Targ - stage

9 p.m. Village Kolektiv

Master fusion of electronics with „lively" sound of the original instruments and singing.

Magda Sobczak - Kotnarowska - dulcimers, singing, Iza Byra - vocal,

Anna Piotrowska - vocal, Maciek Cierliński - hurdy-gurdy,

Rafał Gańko - trumpet, Adam Kłosiński - trombone, Rafał Kołaciński - electronics

Plac Kobzdeja - stage

2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Bajkowisko

2 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. Hyde Park (children write fairy tales) - the sponsor of the day is a letter "A"

2:40 p.m. - 4 p.m. Fairy tales about bikes, cars and trains (games and fun)

4 p.m. - 5 p.m. „Wybierz numer 112" - performance Gargulec Theatre from Gdynia

Długa street, Długi Targ, Ogarna street

18th International St. Dominic's Run

7 AUGUST - SUNDAY

Długi Targ - stage

Bread Festival - festival of bakery and confectionery craft

Plac Kobzdeja - stage

2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Bajkowisko

2 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. Hyde Park (children write fairy tales) - the sponsor of the day are letters "K", "R", "S"

2:40 p.m. - 4 p.m. Fairy tales about princesses, knights and dragons (games and fun)

4 p.m. - 5 p.m. „O królewnie, strachu i wróblach na dachu" - performance of the Władca Lalek Theatre
from Słupsk

Targ Węglowy

3 p.m. - 8 p.m. Polish Strongman Cup

II WEEK

10 AUGUST - WEDNESDAY

Plac Kobzdeja -stage

1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Treasures from Kociewie

Regional cuisine, artistic handicraft,

concerts of folklore bands

Grobla I - Altana Artystów

9 p.m. Concerts under the stars - Music hopes

From classic to operetta and musical.

11 AUGUST - THURSDAY

Plac Kobzdeja

12 p.m. - 6 p.m Żuławy Day

Presentation of tourist and cultural values of the region, artistic performances

Grobla I - Altana Artystów

9 p.m. Concerts under the stars - from Edith Piaf to Carli Bruni

Trio from Triville - Daria Zaradkiewicz - vocal, Grzegorz Kusio - accordion

Jarek Ziętek - guitar.

Evening with French songs. A bientot!

12 AUGUST - FRIDAY

Długi Targ - stage

9 p.m. Amber Night

Fashion show „Hevelius Stars", costumes - Jola Słoma and Mirek Trymbulak,

Amber jewellery - Danuta Burczik - Kruczkowska.

The collection was created with cooperation with Gdańsk city.

Taneczny Theatre „Dzieki Styl Company" - Wioletta Fiuk, Kuba Jóźwiak,

Angelika Paradowska, Patryk Faraon Gacki, Patryk Kowalski,

Paulina Figińska, Mikołaj Wieczór.

Live music - Kipi Samba.

Plac Kobzdeja - stage

2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Bajkowisko

2 p.m. - 2:40 p.n. Hyde Park (children write fairy tales) - the sponsor of the day is a letter "Ó" and number "7"

2:40 p.m. - 4 p.m. Fairy tales about numbers (games and fun)

4 p.m. - 5 p.m. „Niezwykłe przygody Tomka" performance of the Lalkowy Teatr Wędrowny from Gdańsk

13 AUGUST - SATURDAY

Długi Targ - stage

8 p.m. Galaxy of sounds

XIII Gdańsk Carillon Festival- special edition

In tribute to Johannes Hevelius.

Mobile Gdańsk Carillon- Monika Kaźmierczak and the wind quintet Hevelius Brass,

Paweł Hulisz - trumpet, piccolo trumpet,

Piotr Kowalkowski - trumpet, piccolo trumpet, Michał Szczerba - horn,

Bogdan Kwiatek - trombone, Łukasz Gruba - tuba.

Compositions of artists who were inspired by the vastness of cosmos.

Plac Kobzdeja - stage

2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Bajkowisko

2 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. Hyde Park (children write fairy tales) - the sponsor of the day is a letter "R"

2:40 p.m. - 4 p.m. Fairy tales about animals (games and fun)

4 p.m. - 5 p.m. „Wróbelek Elemelek" - performance of the Theatre from Pępowo

14 AUGUST - SUNDAY

Grobla I - Altana Artystów

Born in August.

Within the celebration of the August '80

for people born on 14 August is prepared a surprise.

Plac Kobzdeja - stage

2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Bajkowisko

2 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. Hyde Park (children write fairy tales) - the sponsor of the day is a letter "G"

2:40 p.m. - 4 p.m. Fairy tales about Gdańsk - legends (games and fun)

4 p.m. - 5 p.m. „Mała Syrenka" - performance of the Qfer Theatre from Gdańsk

Długi Targ - stage

6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Gospel Night in Gdańsk

Kraków Gospel Choir - Poland

The Longfield Gospel Choir - Austria

V9 Collective - Great Britain

III WEEK

15 AUGUST - MONDAY

Długi Targ - stage

8 p.m. Królewska Orkiestra Salonowa - Orchestra Reale da Sala

The orchestra's name refers to the old royal concerts and
has its justification in the style of the musicians' play, their costumes and the programme.
The musicians in beautiful stylish costumes will be touring without a conductor,
bringing the charm of Viennese concert halls from the times of Johann Strauss.
In the programme are works that gained recognition and immense popularity on concert
stages worldwide.

Plac Kobzdeja - stage

2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Bajkowisko

2 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. Hyde Park (children write fairy tales) - the sponsor of the day is a letter "P"

2:40 p.m. - 4 p.m. Fairy tales about birds (karaoke, Śpiewający Słowik award)

4 p.m. - 5 p.m. „Opowieści starego kredensu" - performance of the Pod Orzełkiem Theatre from Białystok

„Solidarność" Marathon

16 AUGUST - TUESDAY

Plac Kobzdeja - stage

2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Bajkowisko

2 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. Hyde Park (children write fairy tales) - the sponsor of the day is a letter "Z"

2:40 p.m. - 4 p.m. Fairy tales about toys (games and fun)

4 p.m. - 5 p.m. „Czarne i białe" - performance of the Pod Orzełkiem Theatre from Białystok

17 AUGUST - WEDNESDAY

Plac Kobzdeja - stage

2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Bajkowisko

2 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. Hyde Park (children write fairy tales) - the sponsor of the day is a letter "C"

2:40 p.m. - 4 p.m. Fairy tales in cosmos (games and fun)

4 p.m. - 5 p.m. „Rycerz bez konia" - performance of the Teatryle band from Lusowo

Grobla I - Altana Artystów

9 p.m. Concerts under the stars - Love has many names…

The most beautiful music works devoted to love.

Natalia Walewska - violin, Julia Iwaszkiewicz- soprano, Kamil Pękala - baritone

18 AUGUST - THURSDAY

Plac Kobzdeja - stage

2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Bajkowisko

2 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. Hyde Park (children write fairy tales) - the sponsor of the day is a letter "D"

2:40 p.m. - 4 p.m. Fairy tales about children - Fizia Pooczoszanka (games and fun)

4 p.m. - 5 p.m. „Mój przyjaciel pies" - performance of the Teatryle band from Lusowo

Grobla I - Altana Artystów

9 p.m. Concerts under the stars - Music and Imagination

Zofia Kotlicka - Wiesztort - soprano, Waldemar Bączyk - tenor,

Zbigniew Kulwicki - baritone, Emilia Grażyńska - piano

19 AUGUST - FRIDAY

Plac Kobzdeja - stage

2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Bajkowisko

2 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. Hyde Park (children write fairy tales) - the sponsor of the day is a letter "B"

2:40 p.m. - 4 p.m. Fairy tales about fairy tales - final (games and fun)

4 p.m. - 5 p.m. „Jaś i Małgosia" - performance of the Qfer Theatre from Gdańsk

Targ Węglowy - stage

9 p.m. Gentleman!

Michał Toś - vocal, Piotr Malach - guitar, vocal, Łukasz Tylenda - guitar,

Jacek Tracz - percussion, Adam 0sik - bass.

20 AUGUST - SATURDAY

Targ Węglowy - stage

8 p.m. SwingFellaz (The Young „scratch" Guns) vs. DJ Romero (his Breakes Eminence)

Their performances are an explosive mix of funk, breakbeat and dubstep.

Targ Węglowy - stage

10 p.m. Łąki Łan - concert

Their incredible costumes and stage performance create an unforgettable spectacle,
which participants of the biggest festivals in the country and abroad could see.

21 AUGUST - SUNDAY

Długi Targ - stage

4 p.m. Closing ceremony