Sosnowiec Paths - a new edition of the literary festival
Literature in a new format
The autumn of 2025 in Sosnowiec will be marked by literature, thanks to an event which has taken on a completely new shape this year. After twenty years of the classic Sosnowiec Literature Days, the organisers - the Gustaw Daniłowski Municipal Public Library - have decided on a bold metamorphosis. A was created. Sosnowiec Paths, or Sosnowiec Literature Days 2.0, which is not only a continuation, but also a fresh opening.
This year's edition, held from 15 September to 16 October 2025, is an offer for every literature lover - from young readers to seasoned critics. Instead of one compact festival, the city invites you to a variety of thematic paths, which guide participants through different genres, perspectives and forms of literary expression.
Structure of the event and venues
The main centre of the festival events is Zagłębie Mediateka at 11 Kościelna St. It is here that key meetings with authors, lectures, workshops and panel discussions take place. The events are also accompanied by exhibitions, concerts and literary walks, allowing the book to go beyond the walls of the institution and into the urban fabric.
An important part of this year's edition is exhibition of illustrations by Joanna Concejo, known for her refined, poetic line. Her work can be admired at the 'Under the Swietlik' gallery until the end of October, providing an additional opportunity to interact with art even after the main meetings.
Various thematic tracks
The new formula for the event is to distinguish several 'tracks' - each of which caters to the needs of a different group of readers and literature lovers. As a result, there is something for everyone.
The essay path - in search of reflection
The inauguration opened with a meeting with Katarzyna Tubylewicz, author of 'Wolności moja. A book about the search'. It is an invitation to talk about freedom, identity and intercultural dialogue, and proves that literature can be a space for deep reflection on the modern world.
The publishing path - from idea to book
For those curious about the behind-the-scenes of the creation of literature, there will be panel discussions with publishers and authors who will reveal what the journey is like from the first idea to the finished volume. This is an ideal opportunity to talk about the challenges of the book market, new publishing trends and the role of literature in the digital age.
The crime trail - in a world of intrigue
Lovers of thrills were able to meet the masters of crime fiction. Guests included. Wojciech Chmielarz, author of the acclaimed novel 'Ritual', Małgorzata Oliwia Sobczak with his new book "Blue" and the duo of Małgorzata and Michał Kuźmińskipromoting his latest novel, Ruins. These are meetings full of suspense, analyses of crime and talks about the secrets of the writing workshop.
Biographical path - a life written in words
A series of biographical meetings was prepared for lovers of stories about people who made cultural history. The audience could listen to Zbigniew Zamachowski talk about his artistic path, as well as Małgorzata Czyńska, author of the book 'Heartburn. A Story about Maria Pawlikowska-Jasnorzewska'. There were also meetings devoted to the painter Olga Boznańska, bringing closer her life and work.
Children's trail - stories that teach
The youngest readers met Łukasz Dębski, the author of humourous and warm poems and stories. This is an extraordinary opportunity to develop imagination and shape literary sensitivity from an early age.
Youth path - the voice of a new generation
For young people, there were meetings with authors such as Mateusz Glen, as well as a 'Rap Magister' concert with Olek Talkowski. Young participants took part in literary workshops with Anna Cieplak and Michał Krzykawski, where they could try their hand at creative writing and dialogue with their peers.
The wandering path - the city as literary hero
There was also a proposal for those who appreciate literature in motion. A walk in the footsteps of the crimes described in Przemysław Żarski's novels made it possible to look at Sosnowiec as a setting full of mysteries, where literature is intertwined with urban space.
The foreign path - a global perspective
The culmination of this year's programme is a meeting with Italian writer Vincenzo Latronico, a Booker Prize nominee. His prose introduces an international literary dialogue and shows that Sosnowiec Paths is an event open to the world.
Associated events
This year's literature festival was not only about meetings with authors. An important element was a lecture by Prof. Paweł Tomczok on the Sosnowiec motifs in Stefan Żeromski's novel Ludzie bezdomni [Homeless People], which provided an insight into the city as an inspiration for great literature.
An extensive programme of workshops, exhibitions and concerts creates a multifaceted offer in which every participant can find something that suits their passions and interests.
Why take part
Culture, education and entertainment in one rhythm
"Sosnowiec Paths 2025" creates a multi-layered experience: from author meetings and critical discussions, to workshops developing reading and writing competences, to concerts and literary walks. This is not a one-off festival, but a thoughtful sequence of events that gradually builds knowledge, sensitivity and enjoyment of literature. The educational dimension - particularly evident in the workshops for young people and popularisation lectures - goes hand in hand with aesthetic pleasure: exhibitions, performative readings or conversations with authors who can talk about their books in such a way that they begin to live anew in the reader.
A wealth of subjects - from non-fiction to crime fiction and poetry
The programme is arranged in thematic tracks that allow the participant to consciously choose their own route. If you appreciate reportage and essayHere, he will find conversations about freedom, memory and the responsibility of language. Enthusiasts crime fiction will meet authors who not only build intrigue but also diagnose social anxieties and tensions. Biography will reveal the backstage of artistic life, and children's and young adults' literature will show you how to shape your imagination and sensibility wisely. In this way, each day can have a different temperature: analytical, reflective, emotional or simply entertaining.
Direct meetings with renowned authors
The strength of the festival is its proximity. The creators do not appear from behind a 'glass screen'; after the talk, one can approach with a copy of the book, ask about the workshop, request a dedication, exchange a few words. This contact - seemingly minor - often determines that the reading ceases to be a solitary experience and becomes a dialogue. It is also a rare moment to see how authors think about story structure, choice of language and responsibility to their characters.
Integrating local history and urban space into a literary story
Sosnowiec is not just a backdrop - it is sometimes the protagonist. Literary walks, lectures embedded in the history of the region and references to places recognisable in the city make the participant an attentive reader of space. When the text meets a street, a square or a gate - the story begins to resonate differently: geography becomes semantics. It is also a subtle lesson in looking - the city ceases to be 'between points A and B', it gains a depth that is easy to miss without a literary guide.
Variety of forms - from workshops and panels to walks and concerts
Formula 2.0 is a departure from one canonical format. In addition to the classic author meetings, we have industry panels about the publishing market, workshops of critical writing and reading, walks conducted by literary guides and musical eventswhich remind us that language and rhythm are the common denominator of literature and music. This multiplicity of entry routes ensures that even those who are 'not everyday readers' find a safe, engaging threshold - a concert, an exhibition, a conversation, after which the appetite for books grows naturally.
Accessibility and inclusiveness
Admission to most events is freewhich removes a fundamental barrier to entry. In addition, some meetings provide Translation into Polish Sign Languageand information on enrolment and place limits for workshops is provided in advance. This is honest and empathetic cultural design - with people with different needs, abilities and rhythms of the day in mind. Accessibility here also means transparency - clear times, a clear division of paths, clear location guidelines.
For residents and visitors - two complementary scenarios
Residents of the region can arrange to attend events "on a weekly basis" - after work, after classes, without the need for long commutes. Visitors, on the other hand, receive a coherent cultural journey scenario: a few days filled with talks with authors, trips to exhibitions, walks around the city, and in between - time for cafés, bookshops and quiet reading. For both, the common denominator remains the experience of community: a meeting of people united by curiosity about the world and respect for words.
Added value for reading and professional development
From the perspective of those studying and working in culture, education, media or marketing, the Sosnowiec Paths are a practical laboratory: here you can observe contemporary literary phenomena, test forms of popularising reading, discuss the challenges of the book market. For writers, on the other hand, it is a place where you can get reliable feedback, get inspired by narrative structure, learn about editorial and editing tools.
An atmosphere of meeting across divides
Different generations, different sensibilities and reading styles come together in one space - and it works. Children's imagination, youthful angst and enthusiasm, adult reflection and senior wisdom about life all come together to form a complete, vivid picture of a community of readers. As a result, the festival is not a niche - it is live stage for a dialogue in which everyone and anyone has a say.
Eurohotel Sosnowiec - the ideal base for a literary journey
When planning to take part in the Sosnowiec Trails, it is a good idea to make sure you have comfortable accommodation. Eurohotel Sosnowiec is a venue that perfectly suits the needs of festival participants.
- Convenient location - just a few minutes from the event centre and major transport routes.
- Comfortable rooms - ideal for relaxing after an intense day filled with author meetings and workshops.
- Friendly atmosphere - The professional service and tranquil surroundings are conducive to relaxation, while allowing you to prepare for the next festival experience.
Thanks to such facilities, festival participants can fully indulge in the literary adventure, knowing that after a day full of excitement, the perfect place awaits them to recuperate.
Culture and the city in harmony
The Sosnowiec Paths show how literature can become an integral part of the urban fabric. Literary walks in the footsteps of detective novels, art exhibitions or discussions about local themes in classics of Polish literature underline that Sosnowiec is a city with a rich and inspiring history.
This event not only attracts outstanding artists, but also builds a community of residents and visitors for whom the written word is a starting point for deeper conversations about the world and humanity.
Conclusion: a literary journey of comfort and style
Sosnowiec Pathways - Sosnowiec Literature Days 2.0 is more than a festival. It is an encounter with culture, space and people, with something for everyone - from fascinating discussions to moments of respite with a book in hand.
Combining participation in this unique event with a stay in the Eurohotel Sosnowiec, you can feel the atmosphere of a literary festival to the full, while at the same time being sure that every moment of your leisure time spent in the hotel will be a true relaxation.
Book your stay and let Sosnowiec become the venue for your autumn literary adventure - full of inspiration, creative encounters and unforgettable experiences.