The three-day inWAŁsion attracted almost 100 thousand people on the Chrobry Embankments and Łasztownia. 150 vessels arrived in Szczecin! There were many attractions.

Sea Szczecin
On Friday from the morning the berth was getting crowded with vessels. One of the first that came to Szczecin were ships of the Navy - ORP Orkan and ORP Poznań - and two giant liners – Black Watch and Delphin Voyager - with 1770 passengers on board in total.
Also three unique sailing ships - Iskra, Pogoria - and the hero of this year’s Days of the Sea – the Fryderyk Chopin - reached the foot of the Chrobry Embankments. Also Oldtimers did not fail to open their decks for landlubbers.

Up to the People of the Sea
Homage was paid to “those that did not return from the sea” in the Central Cemetery. His Excellency, Archbishop Andrzej Dzięga blessed an sea altar in the St. John the Evangelist’ Church. The National Museum also provided a moment of reflection. On Friday sailors from the destroyer  ORP Grom were commemorated on the 70th anniversary of its sinking. Whereas literature lovers could take part in the launching of the book  „Z Marią przez życie i oceany, czyli opowieści kapitana Ludomira Mączki” (“With Maria through life and oceans through tales by Captain Ludomir Mączka”) by Jan Zamorski on board  the “Zawisza Czarny”.
As every year also “the people of the sea” celebrated. During the annual meeting of Polsteam, the Mayor of Szczecin Piotr Krzystek wished all employees a foot of water under the keel. This year’s Days of the Sea were accompanied also by a conference on emergency management “Freedom and Security”. Apart from lectures and discussions of specialist in security, a spectacular show of anti-terrorist action on the sea was organised.

Musical inWAŁsion
Apart from a short Friday downpour and a small shower on Saturday, the weather did not fail. Many attractions awaited spectators. Almost 80 artists, sculptors, painters and handcrafters created an amazing avenue of artists. Funfairs were launched, and concert tents were filled completely every day. 145 persons set a record for Rueda dancing! The evening passed to the rhythm of salsa, jazz, Irish folk and rock. The Baltic Neopolis Orchestra, consisting of over thirty performers, gave a concert creating an exceptional atmosphere. The never-failing Hey brought Friday evening to a close. 6,000 people attended the concert!
The culminating point of this year’s Days of the Sea was the performance “Chopin on Chopin” on Saturday.  Dancers and musicians, including Maria Pomianowska, excellent pianists Leszek Możdżer and Krzysztof Jabłoński and almost 120 artists, paid homage to the eminent Polish composer at the 200th anniversary of his birth during an exceptional concert.
Chopin was heard not only in classic arrangements - there was a bit of jazz and folk, and spectators had the chance to listen to famous works by the composer performed on African instruments.  The wave of various, sometimes exotic sounds were supplemented by theatre, dance performances and a unique set design using a light play and decorations on the sailing ships. The show was held at the berth of the Chrobry Embankments, “a sea heart of Szczecin”. After the spectacle there was a fireworks show.

On a large scale
There were a lot of attractions in the area of the event at the Chrobry Embankments and on Łasztownia. Everyone could dive in a special swimming pool with a coral reef. Also “a motor island” and a crash stimulator guaranteed many thrills. Historic cars came to Szczecin, the “Beautiful Helen”, an Oldtimer locomotive, arrived at Łasztownia. Over 300 catering and display points operated during the Days of the Sea. They were provided with current by over 7 kilometres of wires.
For an event on such a scale, it was exceptionally safe. Services intervened only a few times. 6 people were apprehended, including one vandalising a stall. Four lost children were escorted to the Police Children Shelter, where they were collected by their parents. Three drunken persons were transported to the Sobering-up Station, and there was one helmsman sailing on the Oder River having had a few shots.
A power cut blocked the Ferris wheel for two hours. Since at the beginning no one knew how long it would take to repair this failure. Fire-fighters evacuated people from the carousel. No one got hurt.

Summary
More importantly, the sailors themselves enjoyed the Days of the Sea. During traditional morning visits on board of vessels, Captains spared no kind words about the city, saying that Szczecin is a really friendly port.