Gdynia Maritime University GMU

On Sunday 10th December 2023, Gdynia Maritime University welcomed members of the public on board the Dar Młodzieży to explore the famous tall ship's bows. The University's sail training ship opened its deck for free visits between 10:00 and 17:00 hours at the Pomeranian Quay in Gdynia. The Open Day was followed by the illumination of the tallest Christmas tree in the Tricity on the ship's sails.

Visitors were able to go below deck and visit the quarters inhabited by trainees and the ship's crew during voyages. GMU students and the crew of the Dar Młodzieży also took in the open day as guides, providing information on how the sailing ship operates, a typical day on board, their experiences of being at sea for weeks on end, and more.

From 16:00, the Gdynia Maritime University Academic Choir, conducted by Dr. Karol Hill, performed carols and festive songs.

At 17:00, Rector Professor Adam Weintrit;  the Mayor of Gdynia, Dr Wojciech Szczurek; and Rafał Szymański, Captain of the Dar Młodzieży, turned on the lights on the tallest Christmas tree in the Tricity.

Dar Młodzieży is a three-masted frigate. The ship's tallest masts - the mainsail and foresail - are 49.5m tall, whereas the cutter mast is a little shorter at 46.5m in length. Christmas lights will decorate the tops of all the masts  - at their tallest point at a height of 60m above sea level. The decoration will be made from 200 metres of cable and more than 200 bulbs.

The tradition of illuminating Dar Młodzieży during the Christmas season began during the Independence Voyage in 2018 when the sailing ship spent December on the Los Angeles coast.

On 11 November 2023, Poland's Independence Day, Gdynia Maritime University's sail training ship returned to its home port from an almost six-month voyage during which it crossed the equator in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the crossing of the equator by Lwów - the Maritime School's sail training ship. During the 248-day season, Dar Młodzieży covered 21,131 nautical miles, visiting 20 ports in 11 countries and welcoming on board 116,903 visitors.