A CITY LIVING ON THE RHYTHM OF TRADE FAIRS

Poznań has long been known for trade fairs and exhibitions – Poland's largest trade fairs were held here before World War II. Every year, the Poznań International Fair organizes about 30 specialist trade fairs, both international and national. Business people from all over the world come in droves to the largest specialist trade fairs in Poland, such as Polagra, featuring food products, or Budma, for construction materials. They are among the largest sector events in Europe. Practically all year round, many business tourists come here for these events, seeing Poznań as an attractive venue. Ordinary tourists are equally comfortable in Poznań.

There are several clean lakes within the city limits. Lake Malta has a great regatta course. Around the lake are excellent areas for recreation: people ride bicycles, roller blades, and can even ski down the artificial Malta ski slope, open all year round. The leading performances of the Malta International Theatre Festival are held in this area every year. In late June, the city is alive with spectacles, more than 100 being performed during the few days of the festival. Several dozen kilometres to the north is the wild Notecka Forest. Not far from the city is the marvellous Wielkopolski National Park with post-glacial landscapes.