The 2025 Epiphany celebrations promise to be vibrant and illustrious as rejoicing takes over the streets on January 6th. From colorful processions to musical performances, the festivities are set to captivate the townspeople of Toruń and visitors alike.
At noon, residents will begin receiving colorful crowns at the Staromiejskim and Nowomiejskim markets. A concert featuring the Empire Gospel Choir will open the celebratory events at noon under the statue of Nicolaus Copernicus.
Later, the traditional procession, known as the Orszak Trzech Króli (Three Kings' Procession), will begin forming. This year's event features towering figures representing the Three Kings and Nicolaus Copernicus alongside figures of animals, all showcased by artists from the Sztukmistrze Foundation.
The processional festivities will officially commence at 12:30 p.m. when the Mayor of Toruń, Paweł Gulewski; the Chairman of the Toruń City Council, Łukasz Walkusz; and Bishop Józef Szamocki, administrator of the Toruń Diocese, will address the crowd.
By around 12:45 p.m., participants will commence their parade from the Staromiejskim market to the Nowomiejski market, where municipal officials and the bishop will convey New Year's wishes around 1:10 p.m.
Children will have sweet surprises prepared by the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in Pamplona, Mr. Angela Tellechea Goyena. The musical portion of the celebrations will include a performance by the popular Polish musical actor and composer, Jan Traczyk, beginning at 1:15 p.m., known for his roles at Studio Buffo and the Music Theatre "Roma".
Traczyk, who released his debut album "Nadal jestem" in 2020, will entertain attendees with his engaging performance highlighting his well-known singles.
Following his set, another concert will occur at 2:30 p.m. on the mobile carillon stationed near the Christmas crib. This concert will feature performer Magdalena Cynk-Mikołajewska.
To ease the flow of festivities, attendees are encouraged to leave their cars at home and use public transport, especially as the holiday tram will still be running until January 6, 2025.
Remarkably, both Roman Catholics and Greek Catholics will celebrate Epiphany simultaneously this year. Prior to the city festivities, at 10:00 a.m., the Greek Catholic Church on Sowińskiego Street will invite the public to the Pontifical Divine Liturgy. Afterward, attendees will march to the boulevard near the railway bridge for the Great Baptism of Water ceremony to commemorate the Jordan celebration, officiated by Bishop Arkadiusz Trochanowski from the Olsztyn-Gdańsk Eparchy.
Attendees are reminded to plan their travel to the Old Town area either on foot, by bicycle, or via public transport. If car drives are necessary, available parking can be found by checking the provided link for city parking locations.
The significance of Epiphany, also known as the Feast of the Three Kings, lies deeply rooted within Christian tradition, commemorated on January 6 each year. It marks the arrival of the three wise men, Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar, who followed the Star of Bethlehem to present gifts to the newborn Jesus. The colorful history and celebration of this event have evolved over centuries, making it one of the oldest Christian holidays.
This day is not just festivity; it symbolizes reverence and remembrance within the church community. With its rich liturgical significance, it serves as both a day off for many and the first significant holiday of the calendar year.
With the ritualistic greetings and good wishes exchanged among families and friends through custom cards, the practice continues to renew connections, emphasizing the essence of goodwill and community.
For those seeking artistic expressions of this day, many are on the lookout for greetings cards and online resources to share their wishes and commemorate the reason behind the celebration. Such efforts enrich the cultural dialogue and maintain the pulse of religious tradition through shared expressions of love and faith.