It was a day when the history of Polish aviation truly came to life. On August 30, the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków once again became the setting for a grand celebration of flight—filled with ceremonies, gatherings, displays, conversations, excitement, and, above all, people eager to connect with the legacy of Polish aviation. This year’s event held special significance, centered on the centenary of the historic Warsaw–Tokyo–Warsaw flight undertaken by Bolesław Orliński and Leonard Kubiak. A century ago, these two Polish aviators covered over 22,000 kilometers, achieving a feat that astonished the world of that era. Throughout the day at the Museum, we explored successive chapters of this extraordinary story.
We began this year’s festivities with a Holy Mass for airmen, celebrated on the apron in front of the Main Hangar. The liturgy was presided over by Fr. Dr. Łukasz Piórkowski, Director of the Holy Father John Paul II Family Home Museum, with musical accompaniment provided by the Representative Orchestra of the Polish Air Force from Poznań.
After the Mass, the ceremony participants proceeded to the Wall of Remembrance at the Polish Aviation Museum, where the official part of the observances took place. The 8th Kraków Transport Aviation Base provided the military ceremonial support, fielding an honor guard unit commanded by Lt. Robert Purgol. Color guards were provided by the Polish Aero Club, the Podhale Aero Club, the Częstochowa Aviation Veterans Club, the Kraków Aviation Veterans Club, and the Kraków Chapter of the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association. Musical accompaniment was once again provided by the Representative Orchestra of the Polish Air Force, conducted by Lt. Wiktoria Ostrowska.
The ceremony began with the raising of the national flag and the playing of the National Anthem of the Republic of Poland, followed by opening remarks from Tomasz Kosecki, Director of the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków, who welcomed the assembled guests.
A special feature of this year’s observances was the centenary of the historic Warsaw–Tokyo–Warsaw flight undertaken by Bolesław Orliński and Leonard Kubiak. To mark the occasion, Krzysztof Jan Klęczar, the Voivode of Małopolska, read a commemorative letter from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. Meanwhile, a letter from Iwona Gibas, a Member of the Małopolska Regional Board, was read by Monika Gubała, Director of the Department of Culture and National Heritage at the Marshal’s Office of the Małopolska Region.
A special award ceremony also took place during the event. The President of the Republic of Poland honored pilot Jacek Legendziewicz with the Silver Cross of Merit for his contributions to social and charitable activities. The decoration was presented on behalf of the President by the Małopolska Voivode, Krzysztof Jan Klęczar, in the presence of Tomasz Kosecki, Director of the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków.
During the official proceedings, Museum Director Tomasz Kosecki presented letters of congratulation to the Podhale Aeroclub—which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year—accepting them on behalf of the club were Director Krzysztof Witek and President Bogdan Stachura. He also honored Andrzej Sarata for his long-standing contribution to the development of aviation in the Sącz region. Adrian Król, Vice President of the Polish Aeroclub, also took the floor, presenting Director Kosecki with a commemorative display featuring the victorious Polish teams from the Gordon Bennett Ballooning Cup.
View the photo gallery from the official part of the Małopolska celebrations of Polish Aviation Day:
One of the most solemn—and, above all, significant—moments of the commemoration was the Roll Call of Remembrance, read by Captain Bartosz Wyrębkiewicz of the 8th Kraków Transport Aviation Base. The ceremony was attended by color guards representing the Kraków Chapter of the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association (ZHP), the Kraków Aviation Veterans’ Club, the Częstochowa Aviation Veterans’ Club, and the Podhale Aeroclub. The roll call concluded with a salute, followed by the laying of flowers at the Wall of Remembrance by delegations paying tribute to the airmen who fell defending Poland’s independence.
With this, the official part of the commemorative ceremony concluded. The commander of the honor guard unit, Lieutenant Robert Purgoł, received the order to march off the standards.
Moments later, the attendees’ attention shifted to the mezzanine of the Main Hangar, where the official opening took place for the temporary exhibition “Arrive Tokio! The Extraordinary Flight of Bolesław Orliński and Leonard Kubiak,” organized to mark the anniversary.
The exhibition was opened by Director Tomasz Kosecki and curator Ewa Cuber-Strutyńska.
The exhibition offers a perspective on the famous rally that goes beyond the feat itself. It is a story about the preparations, the course of the expedition, the encounter between the Polish aviators and Japan, and the people who turned an incredibly ambitious plan into reality. Of particular significance are the unique artifacts associated with the expedition, displayed here for the first time to the general public.
Coinciding with the opening of the exhibition, the Representative Orchestra of the Polish Air Force held a special march and concert on the taxiway; following the ceremony at the Wall of Remembrance, the band marched across the Museum grounds to Hangar No. 5. The audience heard pieces such as “Eagle Squadron,” “Pozdrowienia z Poznania,” “Copacabana,” “Fanfara Festive,” “Polonia Ułańska,” and “Wizja Szyldwacha.”
The centenary of the Warsaw–Tokyo–Warsaw flight was the central theme of the day’s program. During special guided tours titled “In the Footsteps of Bolesław Orliński,” visitors could not only learn about the lives and careers of Bolesław Orliński and Leonard Kubiak but also view aircraft associated with the era in which they flew—ranging from the PZL P.11c and PWS-26, through the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Spitfire, to the de Havilland Mosquito.
At 3:00 PM, the book Bolesław Orliński. Biografia by Stanisław Błasiak—published by the Polish Aviation Museum—was launched. Following the event, Polish Aviation Day participants who had purchased the book had the opportunity to get the author’s autograph.
Jan Hoffmann presented the history of the famous Breguet XIX—the aircraft in which Orliński and Kubiak completed their record-breaking flight—during the latest “Meeting by the Aircraft” event. Later that evening, Marek Siuta spoke about the de Havilland Mosquito and Orliński’s wartime experiences, subsequently discussing long-haul aviation—past and present—with Enter Air pilot Sławomir Szot. The program concluded with a biographical account of Orliński presented by Marek Rogusz.
One of the highlights of this year’s celebrations was a meeting with Jerzy Makula, which also marked the donation of his exceptional collection of sports trophies and aviation memorabilia to the Museum’s holdings.
Nearly one hundred items documenting the extraordinary career of one of Poland’s most distinguished competitive pilots have been added to the Museum’s collection. These include 17 gold medals won at the World Glider Aerobatic Championships (in both individual and team events), 10 gold medals from the European Glider Aerobatic Championships, and 14 Gold Medals for Outstanding Sports Achievements. The collection is rounded out by 9 trophies awarded for victories in World, European, Polish, and US championships.
Among the particularly valuable mementos are the Czesław Tański Medal (1993) and the FAI Centenary Medal (2005), awarded to Jerzy Makula in recognition of his sporting achievements.
Jerzy Makula is a pilot, instructor, and aviation competition judge, a multiple World and European champion in glider aerobatics, and a captain for PLL LOT. He won the world title in glider aerobatics seven times—in 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1999, and 2011.
Among the particularly valuable mementos is the medal… We are all the more proud that Jerzy Makula also serves as an ambassador for our permanent exhibition, “With the Wind and Against the Wind: Civil Aviation,” located in Hangar No. 5—an exhibition that this year received the Sybilla 2025 award for the best new or modernized permanent exhibition in Poland.
The handover of these trophies represented more than just an enrichment of the museum’s collection; it was the transfer of another chapter in the history of Polish aviation—specifically, the history of air sports, chronicled through the medals, cups, and personal memorabilia of a man who ranked among the world’s elite for decades.
Naturally, Aviation Day wouldn’t have been complete without what matters most to us—aircraft in the air.
The audience watched two sets of flypasts—commentated by the inimitable Jan Hoffmann—as well as two spectacular skydiving displays. Skydivers from the Sky Dive Beskidy group used the museum’s An-2 “Wiedeńczyk” aircraft for their performance, while the second segment featured skydivers from the 6th Airborne Brigade jumping from a Bryza aircraft.
Naturally, Japan was represented—after all, Tokyo was the destination of the extraordinary expedition undertaken by Orliński and Kubiak a century ago.
The “Third Japanese Mercenary Infantry Unit” historical reenactment group created a “Little Japan” on the museum grounds—a historical camp featuring demonstrations, games, competitions, costumes, and equipment. Visitors could try their hand at archery and shuriken throwing, try on kimonos, or tackle a ninja obstacle course. Throughout the day, there were demonstrations of samurai combat, tameshigiri (sword-cutting), Japanese firearms, kendo, Japanese fashion, and the tea ceremony.
At 6:00 PM, in front of Hangar No. 5, a spectacular demonstration of samurai combat and historical Japanese fashion took place, with commentary by Tomasz Konop.
This year’s event also demonstrated that looking back allows us to simultaneously gaze far into the future.
At the partner booths, visitors could meet teams such as AGH Space Systems and AGH Solar Plane, who showcased their designs and discussed their work on aviation and space technologies. The Legendary Rover Team from Rzeszów University of Technology presented a Mars rover analog, while Michał Imiołek showcased the I-014 “Kermit”—an unmanned aerial vehicle of his own design.
Museum partners, flying clubs, educational organizations, the Polish Armed Forces, and uniformed services have also prepared attractions.
This year’s Polish Aviation Day celebration also provided an opportunity to meet with our partners and representatives from the uniformed services and the Polish Armed Forces. Throughout the day, visitors to the various stands could not only speak with experts, soldiers, officers, and firefighters but also get a close-up look at the vehicles, weaponry, specialized gear, technologies, and equipment used in their daily service.
Attractions were presented by, among others, the Institute of National Remembrance and the Home Army Museum, both of which highlight the history and activities of the Polish independence underground. The Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology transported visitors into the world of Japanese culture, while the Kraków Airport Aviation Education Centre prepared activities for the youngest guests, offering a behind-the-scenes look at airport operations.
The Krakodlew mobile foundry—where visitors could watch the metal casting process—attracted significant interest, as did the Enter Air stand, which offered a closer look at the operations of Poland’s largest private airline. Meanwhile, fans of Japan could try their hand at riichi mahjong, thanks to the Kraków Chombo Club.
The program for this year’s Polish Aviation Day celebration extended beyond aviation displays. Visitors to the museum grounds could admire an exhibition of vintage cars, which attracted automotive enthusiasts and offered a look at the history of technology from the perspective of four-wheeled vehicles as well.
An exhibition of artistic photography also awaited visitors, presenting aviation from a slightly different perspective—through the imagery, composition, and unique vision of the young artist, Mateusz Kaleta.
Meanwhile, history and cinema enthusiasts could visit the Lotnik Cinema, where aviation-themed films were screened throughout the day. This allowed the celebration program to be enriched with yet another perspective—the story of Polish aviation captured on film.
After a full day of events, the time came for the finale. First, a hot-air balloon display, and then, after dark…
At 8:30 PM, the doors of Hangar No. 5 transformed into a massive screen showcasing the outdoor multimedia spectacle “Polish Wings.” The projection mapping took the audience on a journey through the history of Polish aviation—from its legendary beginnings, through the interwar period and wartime, to the modern-day successes of Polish air sports athletes.
This year’s celebrations drew an exceptionally large crowd. The turnout exceeded our expectations, demonstrating that the Polish Aviation Day event organized at the Museum has firmly established itself on the calendar of major events for Kraków, the Małopolska region, and indeed all of Poland. We are particularly delighted that our guests included aviation enthusiasts who traveled to Kraków from afar—including the Tricity area—specifically to spend the day with us.
And for that, we simply want to say: THANK YOU!
We thank our Honorary Patrons: Małopolska Voivode Krzysztof Jan Klęczar, Marshal of the Małopolska Region Łukasz Smółka, the Embassy of Japan in Poland, the National Centre for Culture, the National Institute of Museums, the Polish Aeroclub, and the Małopolska Tourism Organisation.
We thank our Media Partners: RMF Maxx, TV Republika, Gazeta Krakowska, Skrzydlata Polska, Przegląd Lotniczy Aviation Revue, the portals dlapilota.pl and aviation24.pl, the military magazine Milmag, and Głos Seniora.
We thank our Main Sponsor, Enter Air, as well as our other sponsors: Kraków Airport, the Polish Aviation Group (PGL), Pratt & Whitney Tubes, PZL Mielec, ZPUE – Koronea Group, Krakodlew S.A., KIA Patecki, and Honda Kolaczek. Without your support, it would not have been possible to organize such an elaborate celebration for such a wide audience.
We extend our thanks to all our institutional, scientific, and educational partners, as well as the flying clubs, historical reenactors, speakers, pilots, skydivers, artists, volunteers, the Polish Armed Forces, and uniformed services. Special thanks go to the Kraków, Podhale, Nowy Targ, and Gliwice flying clubs for showcasing their gliders and models, providing simulators, and joining us in the air.
We also thank all the units and services that ensured safety and the smooth running of the event: the Kraków Emergency Medical Service, the State Fire Service, the State Fire Service Aspirant School, the Police, the Municipal Police, the Military Property Agency, the 8th Kraków Transport Aviation Base, the 6th Command Battalion, the 11th Lesser Poland Territorial Defence Brigade, the NIL Military Unit, the Military Recruitment Centre, the 5th Command Regiment, and the 6th Airborne Brigade.
And, of course, we thank the entire team at the Polish Aviation Museum—for the ideas, the preparations, the dozens of meetings, the hundreds of hours of work, and for making the day what it was.
Above all, we thank you—our guests.
For the tremendous turnout. For the interest shown. For all the conversations, questions, photos, and smiles. For traveling to join us from both near and far.
Thank you for being with us to mark the 100th anniversary of the Warsaw–Tokyo–Warsaw flight.
See you next year at Rakowice-Czyżyny!
Photographs by:
