Imprezy kulturalno-rozrywkowe na ulicy Piotrkowskiej w opinii przechodniów i mieszkańców

Abstract

The article presents results of research referring to cultural - entertaining and sporting activities conducted in the nineties in Piotrkowska street in Łódź, and the influence of these activities on the progress of tourism in the city. Since 1992 in Piotrkowska street there have been organised numerous cultural, entertaining and sporting events. The Foundation of Piotrkowska Street with its members keen on the development of Łódź and the most representative street, plays the main role in preparing all these events. Private sponsors and the City Council of Łódź have had a generous contribution as well. Described events (such as Long Beach – Długa Plaża, Ice Holiday, Thread Holiday, Fortune is fickle, New Year’s Eve in Piotrkowska street, Breaking Guinness record in Tug of War and Wheeling the Barrow) have attracted many visitors and not only brought about the development of tourism in the city but also promoted Łódź in the country and abroad. Catering gardens localised in Piotrkowska street with their combined functions of entertainment and culinary art are important elements of cultural -entertaining activities. According to results of the research, it may be concluded that in Piotrkowska street in 1990 - ties catering gardens were established, serving a variety of dishes and boasting different decor. These places especially in high season are an undoubtful attraction of the street gathering both the city dwellers and tourists. A survey conducted among passers - by in Piotrkowska street (200 enquiries) and among its dwellers (100 enquiries) was a significant element of the research. Questions were concerned with cultural - entertaining events and catering gardens in Piotrkowska street. It should be noted that interviewees expressed positive attitude to the above issues. Both dwellers of Piotrkowska street and its passers-by stress the need of organising events and catering gardens in the street.However,Piotrkowska inhabitants take part in events and visit catering gardens not so often as the passers - by. Furthermore, they have drawn attention to negative elements connected with cultural - entertaining activities such as breach of the peace, low level of safety, littering. Summing up it should be concluded that unfavourable image of Łódź on the map of Poland has been altering slowly because of the transformation of Piotrkowska street – the landmark of the city - into the centre of culture and entertainment. The main street of Łódź due to cultural - entertaining activities attracts tourists and promotes Łódź in our country and abroad. The described activity may boost a new impulse for the cultural and economic development of Łódź.