Village Head Day 2026: Ceremonial galas in Poznań, Białystok, and Łomża

On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, ceremonial celebrations of Village Head Day took place in many regions of Poland, serving as an expression of appreciation for the work of local community leaders. The celebrations in Poznań had a special character, where the 10th County Village Head Day for the Poznań County was organized at the Mercure Hotel. The event gathered representatives of the local government and village heads from seventeen municipalities surrounding the capital of Greater Poland. The main attraction of the evening was a performance by the Tre Voci band, which honored the anniversary gala with its concert. During the meeting, it was repeatedly emphasized that village heads serve as pillars of local democracy, being the closest link between residents and municipal authorities. The nationwide Village Head Day is celebrated annually on March 11. This holiday aims to express gratitude to people who look after the interests of residents of 'sołectwa', of which there are over 40,000 in Poland. This tradition has gained significance since the local government reform of 1999, strengthening the identity and integration of rural communities.

The provincial celebrations in the north-eastern region took place in the hall of the Białystok University of Technology, gathering a record number of participants. The gala was organized by the Board of the Podlaskie Voivodeship, which invited village representatives from across the region to thank them for their daily commitment and social activity. The ceremony was attended by over 600 people representing Podlaskie sołectwa, making this meeting one of the largest of its kind in the country. Numerous awards were presented during the gala, and the atmosphere fostered the exchange of experiences between leaders from different counties. Local government officials noted that without the active stance of village heads, the implementation of many local investments and village funds would be impossible.

Local ceremonies also took place in smaller centers, such as Krasnystaw and Łomża, where the specific achievements of individual village heads were appreciated. In Krasnystaw, which as a city has a specific structure of seven sołectwa, the meeting was organized at the City Hall. In Łomża, the key point of the celebrations was the resolution of a regional competition called Our Village Head is the Best. The competition winners received awards as a form of gratification for effectively integrating residents and caring for the aesthetics and development of their localities. All these events, although differing in scale and setting, had a common denominator in appreciating the role of a leader who, on a daily basis, deals with the problems of ordinary citizens. Main centers of Village Head Day 2026 celebrations: 1. Białystok — 600+ people; 2. Poznań — Mercure Hotel; 3. Krasnystaw — 7 sołectwa