From the frosts of the North through hot Africa to the southern ends of the planet

This time we focused on a multidimensional presentation of the travel world during our all-day event. Among the festival speakers, you will find not only renowned adventurers, explorers, and travelers, but also individuals you can admire daily in entirely different fields. Widely beloved personalities well-known from social media, television, and radio will share their experiences and inspirations with you.

How about challenges? Hopes, preparations for a journey, the bright and dark sides of making dreams come true? Zwrotnik's guests will prove that traveling has no single definition or single way. It is sailing across distant waters, admiring the world from a bicycle saddle or horseback, family trips around the globe, chasing sports challenges and records, and battling one's own physical limitations. The festival program will also feature stories breaking stereotypes, including tales proving that a disability does not mean giving up on travel dreams.

Lectures, shows and prizes

Zwrotnik is not only reports from extraordinary expeditions. It is also discussions about the challenges of modern travel, geopolitics affecting destination choices, and how to realize travel plans without an unlimited budget or months-long career breaks.

And because dreams are meant to be fulfilled, we have prepared a small creativity contest for festival participants, giving them a chance to leave the welcoming halls of the PKiN with an incredible prize: a 7-day trip to the pearl of North Africa – Tunisia (including guaranteed flights, transfers, accommodation, and board).

Who will we host at the Zwrotnik Festival?

Dorota Wellman, a well-known and beloved TV star and a true volcano of positive energy and emotions, will take the stage to share her love for Greece, keeping a surprise guest up her sleeve with whom she will conduct a live interview as part of her podcast.

Meanwhile, Arkady Paweł Fiedler, grandson of the famous traveler and reporter, will prove that the impossible does not exist, showing that the humble "Maluch" is a serious expedition vehicle, and that an electric car can traverse not only Africa – a feat he achieved as the first person in the world – but also other continents, following in the footsteps of his famous ancestor.

Another guest at Zwrotnik is a true heavyweight in the world of extreme challenges and balancing multiple, seemingly contrasting worlds. Rafał Sonik will share impressions from participating in – and winning! – the legendary Dakar Rally and many other cross-country rallies. His story will also include practical advice on motivation and achieving goals that combine travel, victories, business, and helping others.

Switching from a quad bike to a bicycle? Marcin Korzonek "Globrower" will take us on an extraordinary journey beneath the eight-thousanders Manaslu and Annapurna, proving that you can conquer Himalayan passes on two wheels.

Highlight of the edition: Sports heroes debate

A powerful element of this year's festival edition will be a debate featuring sports world heroes, focusing on "sports travels and life", their bright and dark sides, seen from a perspective unknown to viewers, fans, and supporters.

Paweł Kunz, Zwrotnik's program director, has invited an electrifying panel of guests: multiple Olympic medalist Robert Korzeniowski, legendary coach of Adam Małysz and President of the Polish Ski Association Apoloniusz Tajner, and Vice President of the International Federation of Muaythai and former POT President Rafał Szlachta.

Where the world ends and wandering across continents

We will also look where the "world ends": Captain Maciej Sodkiewicz and Ewa Banaszek will initiate us into the details of cruises along the northern fringes of our globe, far from beaten paths in the company of walruses and ice. Festival participants can expect stories and photos from Spitsbergen, Greenland, the Russian Arctic, Alaska, Hudson Bay, and the archipelagos of northern Canada.

Complementing the adventures in freezing lands, renowned photographer Edyta Chrząszcz will take us to Antarctica, enchanting us with her memories and beautiful pictures. This is also a unique opportunity to ask our guest how to practically (and relatively cheaply) organize such a trip to the most inaccessible continent.

Continuing our festival journey across the world, Mateusz Skrentny (Przewodnicy bez Granic) will uncover the diversity of Rio de Janeiro – from the poorest favelas to luxury-drenched neighborhoods. Dominika Arys (Soliści Adventure Club) will take us to fascinating Nicaragua, and Wiktoria Ptak (current Miss Poland 2026) will charm festival participants with stories about Sri Lanka – the pearl of the Indian Ocean.

Nomadic style, safety and extraordinary passions

There will also be a nostalgic and nomadic touch. Witold Palak will try to convince everyone that life on the road and repeated motorcycle journeys through India and Asia can be a journey not only to the edges of the world, but also deep within oneself. Meanwhile, Grzegorz Kapla, a well-known traveler, publicist, and writer, will share – using the example of the Philippines and Indonesia – why he prefers the word "vagrant" over "traveler", with his leisurely, uncommitted style of moving without a plan, yet with an openness to exploring the world.

We will also discuss geopolitics and how to consciously assess risk, avoid threats, and travel safer – in this topic, there is no better expert than Dr. Katarzyna Maniszewska, a specialist in security and international relations issues, university lecturer, and traveler who has completed, among others, a solo trip around the world with a backpack.

On stage, we will also host Piotr Pogon, who in his characteristic style will confide in us about his pursuit of life, fulfillment of travel challenges, and tangible evidence that a disability does not mean the end of the world. Krzysztof Kobus will take us deep into hot Africa (Okavango Delta and the Kalahari sands), Elżbieta and Andrzej Lisowski will take us to Croatia, and Michał Kozłowski and Jacek Wichrowski will invite us onto their yacht on the way to Åland.

Completing the whole experience will be stories by Magdalena Konik from the Caucasus, Tusheti, Kyrgyzstan, and the World Nomad Games, as well as a unique exhibition of traveler caricatures presented by Robert Mazurek.

A ticket to the Zwrotnik Festival also grants admission to the ITTF Warsaw trade fair. This is a wonderful opportunity to combine participation in inspiring meetings with travelers with a visit to exhibition stands from Poland and abroad. Offers from regions, tourist organizations, tour operators, travel agencies, hotels, and companies representing the broad tourism industry await visitors.

Join us on November 21, 2026, at the Palace of Culture and Science!

Come for the inspiration, stay for the extraordinary stories, and leave with ideas for your own travels!