On October 9, 2025, a jubilee ceremony took place at the Gromada Hotel in Łomża to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment – one of the oldest and most recognizable hotels in the region. The event gathered numerous guests representing state, local, and regional authorities, as well as representatives of cooperative, tourism, cultural, and media communities. The jubilee celebrations had a unique character – they were part of the International Year of Cooperatives, emphasizing the role of Gromada as an example of a harmonious blend of tradition, community, and a modern approach to tourism and hospitality.
The jubilee was also an opportunity to thank the cooperative members, including members of the Podlasie Group OST Gromada, as well as former and current hotel employees for their contribution to the development of Gromada.
The event was held under the Honorary Patronage of the Marshal of the Podlaskie Voivodeship - Łukasz Prokorym, The President of the City of Łomża - Mariusz Chrzanowski and the President of the Board of the National Cooperative Council - Dr. Eng. Mieczysław Grodzki.
Media patronage was held by TVP3, Polskie Radio Białystok, and 18 trade and regional editorial offices, including the most important tourism and cooperative media in Poland.
Hotel Gromada in Łomża, operating continuously since 1975, is one of the most important symbols of hospitality in the region and the only categorized hotel in Łomża. For half a century, it has been not only a place of rest for travelers but also proof that the idea of cooperatives can combine rich tradition with the spirit of modernity. This year, nearly 30 thousand tourists visited Łomża, confirming that local tourism is developing increasingly dynamically and plays an ever more important role in the city's economy. This increase in visitors is also an impulse for the development of local restaurants and lodging facilities, which, after a difficult period, are bustling with life again. Hotel Gromada is a place with soul and history. Renowned artists have been hosted within its walls, including Hanka Bielicka, Mieczysław Fogg, and Czesław Miłosz. Today, the hotel still retains its unique atmosphere, remaining a space for meetings, memories, and inspiration for subsequent generations of guests visiting Łomża.
The 50th-anniversary celebrations of Hotel Gromada in Łomża began with a press conference. Participants included: Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Celebrations, Director of Hotel Gromada in Łomża – Wieńczysław Targ, President of the OST Gromada Board – Krzysztof Moczulski, President of the National Cooperative Council Board – Dr. Eng. Mieczysław Grodzki, and Chairwoman of the OST Gromada Supervisory Board – Barbara Tomczyk. The conference was covered by TVP3 and Telewizja Narew, and over 15 journalists from industry and regional media attended. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss the significance of the renovated Hotel Gromada in Łomża for the development and promotion of the region, the future of the Gromada network, and the International Year of Cooperatives, celebrated under the motto "Cooperatives build a better world".
Later in the afternoon and evening, a Jubilee Gala took place. The event was attended by cooperators – members of the OST Gromada Supervisory Board, led by Chairwoman Barbara Tomczyk, members of the OST GROMADA Podlasie Membership Group, former and current Gromada employees, including, among others, Zofia Szuchnik, former Deputy Director of Tourism and Hospitality at OST Gromada, and Danuta Zaniewska – Deputy Director of Hotel Gromada in Łomża for operations, as well as collaborators and partners of Gromada.
The 50th anniversary of Hotel Gromada in Łomża was honored by numerous guests representing state, tourism, local, and cooperative authorities. Among them were Members of the Polish Parliament – Alicja Łepkowska-Gołaś and Bogumiła Olbryś.
Polish tourism authorities were represented by the President of the Polish Tourist Organization – Rafał Szmytke. The Ministry of Sport and Tourism was represented by Elżbieta Wyrwicz – Counselor in the Tourism Department, with a congratulatory letter from Deputy Minister Ireneusz Raś.
The ceremony was also attended by representatives of the administrative and local government authorities of the Podlaskie Voivodeship: Podlasie Deputy Voivode – Michał Gąsowski, Chairman of the Voivodeship Assembly – Cezary Cieślukowski, and Member of the Voivodeship Board – Jacek Piorunek. Representatives of the City of Łomża authorities were present, including President Dr. Mariusz Chrzanowski. County authorities were represented by Deputy Starosta of Łomża County – Anna Gawryś.
Cooperative authorities were represented by Dr. Eng. Mieczysław Grodzki – President of the National Cooperative Council Board, Andrzej Półrolniczak – Chairman of the General Meeting of KRS, Tadeusz Szymańczyk – Plenipotentiary of KRS in Podlaskie Voivodeship, Aneta Jolanta Englot – President of the National Audit Union of the “Samopomoc Chłopska” Cooperatives, and Tomasz Gromada – Vice President of the Bank of Polish Cooperative. Local government tourism, hotel, and economic authorities were represented by Izabela Stelmańska – President of the Mazovian Regional Tourism Organization, Marek Traczyk – President of the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce, and Jan Korsak – Member of the National Council of the Polish Community Association. The Polish Tourist Organization was also represented by the Director of the Tourism Development Support Department – Jacek Janowski, who is also responsible for the implementation of the POT - OST Gromada cooperation agreement. Entrepreneurs and institutions cooperating with the hotel were also present.
After welcoming the guests by the event hosts, the President of OST Gromada – Krzysztof Moczulski and the Hotel Director – Wieńczysław Targ, speeches were given by: President of the National Cooperative Council Board – Dr. Eng. Mieczysław Grodzki, Member of the Podlaskie Voivodeship Board – Jacek Piorunek, Podlasie Deputy Voivode – Michał Gąsowski, President of the City of Łomża – Dr. Mariusz Chrzanowski, and President of the Polish Tourist Organization – Rafał Szmytke. Letters addressed to participants, sent by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development – Stefan Krajewski and State Secretary at the Ministry of Sport and Tourism – MP Ireneusz Raś, were also read out.
During the ceremony, numerous awards and decorations were presented – governmental, cooperative, and jubilee. The governmental decoration, the Honorary Badge "Meritorious for Tourism," was awarded to Joanna Mierzejewska – reception manager, employee of the hotel for 26 years. Then, awards of the National Cooperative Council were granted. The badges "Local Government Cooperator" were awarded to: Member of the Polish Parliament, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development - Stefan Krajewski, Member of the Polish Parliament, State Secretary at the Ministry of Sport and Tourism - Piotr Borys, Marshal of the Podlaskie Voivodeship - Łukasz Prokorym and President of the City of Łomża – Dr. Mariusz Chrzanowski.
We are pleased to announce that the Golden Badge of Cooperatives for merits in promoting Poland's tourism as well as kindness and cooperation with OST Gromada was awarded to Rafał Szmytke – President of the Polish Tourist Organization.
This badge was also awarded to Danuta Dziemianko – member of the Cooperative and the OST Gromada Supervisory Board, Marek Bednarz – member of OST Gromada and the Supervisory Board of the Białystok Cooperative "SCH", as well as Wieńczysław Targ – Director of Hotel Gromada in Łomża.
Then, cooperative awards “Distinguished Activist of the Cooperative Movement” and awards from the National Audit Union of the "Samopomoc Chłopska" Cooperatives were presented to hotel employees and OST Gromada members.
From the authorities of the Podlaskie Voivodeship, a special distinction – the decoration "Meritorious for the Podlaskie Voivodeship" – was awarded to President of OST Gromada - Krzysztof Moczulski and Hotel Director - Wieńczysław Targ. The Hotel Director also received a commemorative plaque.
"This is a jubilee not only of the building but above all of the people – employees, cooperators, and friends who have created and continue to create Gromada over the years. We are proud that the history of this place is also part of the history of Łomża and Polish tourism" – said during the gala the President of OST Gromada, Krzysztof Moczulski.
The 50th anniversary celebrations of Hotel Gromada in Łomża demonstrated that the values on which the Cooperative's activity has been based from the beginning – honesty, cooperation, community, and hospitality – remain relevant and inspiring today.
The event allowed guests not only to admire the renovated hotel interiors but also to delight in the exceptional regional cuisine prepared by the restaurant team under the direction of the Head Chef. Guests had the opportunity to try dishes that combined traditional recipes with a modern approach to taste and presentation, highlighting the richness of local products and the culinary passion of the entire team. Thanks to carefully selected ingredients and the creativity of the Head Chef, each dish became not only a feast for the palate but also a true journey through the flavors of Podlasie.
The jubilee gala had an exceptional artistic setting – a concert by the string quartet of the Witold Lutosławski Chamber Philharmonic in Łomża and a performance by the "Singing Birds" band took place. The event concluded with a joint toast and the ceremonial presentation of the jubilee cake.