The Association sponsors exchanges of government and business officials, artists, and students. In addition, the Association provides financial support to social service and cultural programs in Gdynia.

The Seattle metropolitan area and Gdynia share much in common. Both communities have large, active seaports as well as thriving fishing and maritime industries. Both regions are home to important naval facilities and are popular tourist destinations. Finally, both communities have large research and higher education institutions.

Gdynia and its neighbors Sopot and Gdansk make up the tri-city region of northern Poland. This region lies along the Baltic Sea’s Bay of Gdansk. The region has a population of approximately 1.5 million, of which 255,000 live in Gdynia.

Gdynia was a small fishing village for centuries. The Polish Republic began developing Gdynia’s modern seaport in the 1920s. Leaders of the Republic built the seaport to establish a home for the Polish Navy and the Polish maritime industry. By 1939, Gdynia was a thriving city with a population of more than 100,000.

Today, Gdynia is Poland’s most important maritime community. Gdynia leaders have embraced the challenges of developing a market economy. Gdynia is also an important cultural center of Poland. The city hosts an annual Polish Feature Film Festival, the largest film festival featuring polish-language film.

The members of the Seattle-Gdynia Sister City Association are dedicated to sharing the history, culture, and economy of the Seattle-area with Gdynia citizens. More importantly, our members want to bring the rich culture, tradition, and history of northern Poland to Seattle-area residents.

The Seattle-Gdynia Sister City Association is actively seeking new members to help us achieve our goals. Please print and fill out our membership form.

SGSCA Officers (2008):

Glen Lee, President
Tom Clark, Vice President
Ron Golubiec, Treasurer
Debra Markert, Secretary

 

Meetings are held every second Friday of the month at 7:30PM at Polish Home, 1714 18th Avenue in Seattle.

All are welcome to attend. Social hour and optional Polish Home dinner follow.