Mission: Fish (Shoal) | Night of Culture 2026
“Don’t panic, organise!” or “Birds of a feather—or fish of a fin—flock together!” Those catchy lines are the heart and soul of Mission: Fish (Shoal).
In the wild, hanging out in a shoal is a genius survival hack—it’s how fish dodge predators and hunt down snacks. Humans are exactly the same. Whether we’re huddling around a campfire or bonding over shared ideas, we’re just better together. So, dive in and join the fun!
Why fish?
Even though this year’s festival theme is “Birds of the Night,” our school of fish will be that unexpected splash of color that completes the city’s magic. Fish have been a huge muse for Night of Culture artists for years. Plus, Lublin is practically built on them: we’ve got Rybny (Fish) Square, Rybna Street, and Rybna Gate right in the heart of the Old Town. Heck, the word for “tench” (lin) is even swimming right inside the name Lublin!
How to join the shoal
Craft a fish… …any way your heart desires! ;) Sew it, knit it, carve it, or sculpt it—just make sure you build it from scratch. You can check out tutorial you’ll find on our social media.
Drop off or mail your masterpiece We’re collecting fish until the end of May. Swing by the Workshops of Culture at Grodzka 7 between 9:00 and 17:00, or post it to us with the note: “Fish for Night of Culture”.
Snap a “fishie” first! Take a photo of your creation and send it to us via Messenger or email. We’d love to show it off on our social media. We will tag you and your group or institution (if applicable)
See you on June 6th! Head to The Hartwig Alley to hunt for your fish among the shoal, see other fish and lok for out photos and videos!
We’ve done this before!
Our community has built some legendary installations over the years:
2018: We turned your old neckties into a “river” on Podwalna Street.
2020: We collected furs to create a massive “Fight Between Lent and Carnival” during the first year of the pandemic.
2024: Thousands of spoons became an interactive game on Ku Farze Street where the crowd tried to add pieces without making the whole thing crash down!
This year, the Night of Culture Team is taking the lead in the Hartwig Alley, and we know our audience won’t let us down.
Q&A
Who can join? Everyone! From kindergartners to pro artists and crafty seniors.
Big or small? Both! We accept everything from hand-sized guppies to meter-long whales.
Can I send more than one? Absolutely. The more, the fishier!
What materials? We love upcycling! Just remember it’ll be outdoors. We’ve “ordered” a clear sky, but try to make them somewhat sturdy.
Can I get my fish back? Yes, you can pick it up the week after the fest—just keep in mind we can’t guarantee it’ll be in perfect condition after its big night out.
Do I need to add a “hanging loop,” or will you handle the installation?
No need to get tied up in loops! We’ll handle the mounting and make sure your fish finds the perfect spot in the shoal.
About Night of Culture
Night of Culture is a whirlwind of hundreds of free art events taking over Lublin’s public spaces. Picture thousands of smiling faces wandering the streets, all hunting for that next unforgettable moment. It’s the one night of the year when the impossible suddenly feels possible! We’re talking concerts, light installations, performances, shows, workshops, and a whole lot more that simply defies definition.
Participants get to dive into a concentrated blast of adventures packed into a seven-hour window. It’s entirely up to you: will it be a wild night of concerts and theater, or a cozy evening of intimate literary meetups? Through massive street installations, Noc Kultury transforms entire blocks beyond recognition. It’s a time when you can literally smell the gates, pet “shaggy” walls, and peek through keyholes into fantastic worlds. Just one tip: make sure your camera batteries are fully charged before you head out!
About this year’s theme A Good Night’s Flight
We often say “good night” as a signal for rest—the end of the daily trek, a time to kick off our shoes and close our eyes. On June 6th, we want to wish you A Good Night in a completely different way. Defying the usual routine, we’re encouraging you to lace up your most comfortable shoes and set off on a magical journey through the streets and secret corners of Lublin.
This year, we are turning our gaze toward the sky to explore a new theme: The Birds of the Night.
Nocturnal birds are omnipresent—found in the Polish ecosystem and deeply rooted in the mythology and folklore of countless cultures. Their presence can signal many things, and their symbolism is as vast and inclusive as the Night of Culture itself. Sometimes they are simply breathtaking; sometimes they are harbingers of change; often, they are shrouded in mystery. A bird’s ability to fly is a universal symbol of boundless potential, and for those that thrive in the dark, the stillness of the night allows their calls to echo across vast distances.
Warm summer nights are when the most beautiful avian concerts happen. This surge of nocturnal activity is an essential part of the magic of forests and meadows, but also our cities. We hope the world of night birds will inspire our artists and creators, and for our audience, serve as the perfect companion for an urban wander in search of the unexpected.
For the twentieth time, we invite you to our endemic spacerum profanum through the Lublin Old Town.
It’s going to be a good night.
Details
Night of Culture
6.7 June 20926 – Old Town and the city centre
nockultury.pl
Admission free
Who’s behind the magic?
Brought to you by Workshops of Culture in Lublin, Cultural Institution of Lublin, and the City of Lublin.
Mission: Fish (Shoal) | Night of Culture 2026
“Don’t panic, organise!” or “Birds of a feather—or fish of a fin—flock together!” Those catchy lines are the heart and soul of Mission: Fish (Shoal).
In the wild, hanging out in a shoal is a genius survival hack—it’s how fish dodge predators and hunt down snacks. Humans are exactly the same. Whether we’re huddling around a campfire or bonding over shared ideas, we’re just better together. So, dive in and join the fun!
Why fish?
Even though this year’s festival theme is “Birds of the Night,” our school of fish will be that unexpected splash of color that completes the city’s magic. Fish have been a huge muse for Night of Culture artists for years. Plus, Lublin is practically built on them: we’ve got Rybny (Fish) Square, Rybna Street, and Rybna Gate right in the heart of the Old Town. Heck, the word for “tench” (lin) is even swimming right inside the name Lublin!
How to join the shoal
Craft a fish… …any way your heart desires! ;) Sew it, knit it, carve it, or sculpt it—just make sure you build it from scratch. You can check out tutorial you’ll find on our social media.
Drop off or mail your masterpiece We’re collecting fish until the end of May. Swing by the Workshops of Culture at Grodzka 7 between 9:00 and 17:00, or post it to us with the note: “Fish for Night of Culture”.
Snap a “fishie” first! Take a photo of your creation and send it to us via Messenger or email. We’d love to show it off on our social media. We will tag you and your group or institution (if applicable)
See you on June 6th! Head to The Hartwig Alley to hunt for your fish among the shoal, see other fish and lok for out photos and videos!
We’ve done this before!
Our community has built some legendary installations over the years:
2018: We turned your old neckties into a “river” on Podwalna Street.
2020: We collected furs to create a massive “Fight Between Lent and Carnival” during the first year of the pandemic.
2024: Thousands of spoons became an interactive game on Ku Farze Street where the crowd tried to add pieces without making the whole thing crash down!
This year, the Night of Culture Team is taking the lead in the Hartwig Alley, and we know our audience won’t let us down.
Q&A
Who can join? Everyone! From kindergartners to pro artists and crafty seniors.
Big or small? Both! We accept everything from hand-sized guppies to meter-long whales.
Can I send more than one? Absolutely. The more, the fishier!
What materials? We love upcycling! Just remember it’ll be outdoors. We’ve “ordered” a clear sky, but try to make them somewhat sturdy.
Can I get my fish back? Yes, you can pick it up the week after the fest—just keep in mind we can’t guarantee it’ll be in perfect condition after its big night out.
Do I need to add a “hanging loop,” or will you handle the installation?
No need to get tied up in loops! We’ll handle the mounting and make sure your fish finds the perfect spot in the shoal.
About Night of Culture
Night of Culture is a whirlwind of hundreds of free art events taking over Lublin’s public spaces. Picture thousands of smiling faces wandering the streets, all hunting for that next unforgettable moment. It’s the one night of the year when the impossible suddenly feels possible! We’re talking concerts, light installations, performances, shows, workshops, and a whole lot more that simply defies definition.
Participants get to dive into a concentrated blast of adventures packed into a seven-hour window. It’s entirely up to you: will it be a wild night of concerts and theater, or a cozy evening of intimate literary meetups? Through massive street installations, Noc Kultury transforms entire blocks beyond recognition. It’s a time when you can literally smell the gates, pet “shaggy” walls, and peek through keyholes into fantastic worlds. Just one tip: make sure your camera batteries are fully charged before you head out!
About this year’s theme A Good Night’s Flight
We often say “good night” as a signal for rest—the end of the daily trek, a time to kick off our shoes and close our eyes. On June 6th, we want to wish you A Good Night in a completely different way. Defying the usual routine, we’re encouraging you to lace up your most comfortable shoes and set off on a magical journey through the streets and secret corners of Lublin.
This year, we are turning our gaze toward the sky to explore a new theme: The Birds of the Night.
Nocturnal birds are omnipresent—found in the Polish ecosystem and deeply rooted in the mythology and folklore of countless cultures. Their presence can signal many things, and their symbolism is as vast and inclusive as the Night of Culture itself. Sometimes they are simply breathtaking; sometimes they are harbingers of change; often, they are shrouded in mystery. A bird’s ability to fly is a universal symbol of boundless potential, and for those that thrive in the dark, the stillness of the night allows their calls to echo across vast distances.
Warm summer nights are when the most beautiful avian concerts happen. This surge of nocturnal activity is an essential part of the magic of forests and meadows, but also our cities. We hope the world of night birds will inspire our artists and creators, and for our audience, serve as the perfect companion for an urban wander in search of the unexpected.
For the twentieth time, we invite you to our endemic spacerum profanum through the Lublin Old Town.
It’s going to be a good night.
Details
Night of Culture
6.7 June 20926 – Old Town and the city centre
nockultury.pl
Admission free
Who’s behind the magic?
Brought to you by Workshops of Culture in Lublin, Cultural Institution of Lublin, and the City of Lublin.
