Freedom Games 2024: “City. Europe. Future” as Watchword of the Next Edition

We are pleased to announce that the next edition of the event will be held on October 18-20, 2024, in Lodz, Poland, and the accompanying slogan will be “City. Europe. Future”!

Most Poles – like most Europeans and most of the world’s population – live in cities.

The city is the center of events. A space for social interactions and a forum for exchanging ideas; a platform for democratic processes, dialogue, and cultural diversity. It was in cities that the ideas of liberalism, capitalism, civil rights, and tolerance were born, to later become enshrined in state systems.

The city is an incubator of social change. It is the leader of cohesion, the provider of social services, and the actual implementer of immigration policy.

The city is the driving force of the economy: a stimulator of development, creativity, and innovation; it is also a wealth generator – 85 percent of global GDP is generated in cities.

The city means independence and freedom of choice; the opportunity to be who you want to be. It provides a perspective of personal development, access to education, culture, and entertainment.

The city is a place where the greatest challenges of today are revealed. It is responsible for 75 percent of global consumption of natural resources, 60-80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. It is unemployment, poverty, social segregation, and exclusion.

The city is an obligation. A social, an economic, an environmental, and a climate-related one – it is the key to solving global problems and improving the well-being of the next generations of citizens.

The city is the future.

In 2024, Poles will vote in local government elections and elections to the European Parliament. The way in which cities, Poland, and Europe will respond to the most important problems of the modern world will depend on the conscious votes of citizens and the policies pursued by their elected representatives. After a long eight years, we can be part of the solution again. For ourselves. For Poland. For Europe.

Europe is something more than a continent. It is a community of values ​​and the most successful economic development projects based on the idea of ​​a common market within the European Union.

Europe is a space of freedom and security, and in this context – urgent challenges related to the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine: the need to intensify actions to maintain partnership relations with the United States and the United Kingdom and develop our own defense doctrine and energy independence.

Europe means gender equality, protection of human rights, and respect for diversity. It is also a growing need to strengthen these values, which are fundamental to democracy in the face of growing populism and global migration.

Europe is in urgent need of institutional reform that will allow it to maintain the community without deepening the phenomenon of the two-speed European Union while strengthening the agency and dynamics of action, which are a condition for future enlargement.

Europe means a development based on constant economic growth, price stability, and a highly competitive market economy. Today, it is also necessary to reconcile these goals with ethical challenges regarding emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, as well as the needs of environmental protection. While pursuing these goals, Europe cannot lose its global perspective.

Europe means a commitment to a green transformation: creating infrastructure and an environment that will allow for a smooth transition to low- and zero-emission without harming national economies and the needs of citizens.

Europe – strong and united – is a condition for peace, economic development, and the well-being of its citizens.

Europe is the future.

City. Europe. Future. Let us meet on October 18-20, 2024, in Lodz, Poland, at the Freedom Games!

Check out the video report from the 2023 Freedom Games!

Let’s relive it and return to the highlights of the 2023 Freedom Games!

2830 participants, 486 speakers and 120 sessions on 7 stages! Check out the video report from the three most intense and inspiring days of the year! Thank you all for participating. And in the meantime – we start counting down the days until the next edition! See you there!

Realization: Motion Pikczer

Strategic partners of Freedom Games 2023 are the City of Lodz and the Łódzkie Centrum Wydarzeń.

The anniversary edition of the Freedom Games is behind us! How was it?

The tenth edition of Freedom Games, a unique interdisciplinary forum held annually in Lodz, was the largest and most prestigious of all those held so far. For two and a half days, Lodz became a true capital of democratic values. 

This year’s edition was attended by 2,830 participants. The seven stages located in the center of EC1 have hosted 486 speakers and presenters, including a whole bunch of notable personalities such as Jonathan Littell, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Anne Applebaum, Michael Ignatieff, Rebecca Makkai, Oksana Zabużko, Anda Rottenberg, Agnieszka Holland, Mikołaj Grynberg, Maciej Stuhr, Deirdre McCloskey, Paulina Siegień, Stefan Chwin, Renata Lis, Ewa Ewart, Grzegorz Piątek, Mark Galeotti and the others.

The event consisted of one hundred and twenty sessions: literary meetings, lectures, panel discussions, roundtables, which allowed speakers and the audience to exchange views and debate on topics such as democracy, climate crisis, future of media, equality, responsible business, economy, the future of Europe and the European Union, security challenges, changes in the energy sector, new technologies, culture or women’s rights. During the tenth anniversary edition of the Freedom Games, a new generation of experts, NGOs, business, politicians, and citizens presented a proposal for change, a way to tame uncertainty, and a prospect for the future both locally and globally, while proving that the “turning point” is closer than we think.

It was an exceptional edition, therefore we would like to thank everyone without whom the forum could not happen. A standing ovation belongs to the entire technical team of Last Minute Events, which is  responsible for the production of the event under the leadership of the irreplaceable Agnieszka Durmaj. During each day of the forum there are dozens of people working on the backstage – sound engineers, cameramen, online streaming people and many, many others – without whom all this would not have been possible.

We would like to thank to our fantastic photography team: Agnieszka Cytacka photography, Zuza Balcerzak ᴾᴴᴼᵀᴼ and HOLLYBABA.

We are also grateful to the translators and interpreters, to Marek Lewoc, who took care of the graphic design of the event, and to our good spirits, i.e. volunteers – you really are wonderful!

Finally, we also would like to thank our partners:

Strategic Partners:
Miasto Łódź, Łódzkie Centrum Wydarzeń

Co-organizers:
European Liberal Forum, European Climate Foundation

Partners:
Atlas Network, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Ikea, Open Society Foundations, Orange, Rising Tide Foundation, Google

Supporting Partners:
Allegro, Amazon, Fundacja Wolności Gospodarczej, InCredibles

Ad Partners: 
Octant, Wedel

Publishing Partner:
Wydawnictwo AGORA, Wydawnictwo Poznańskie, Wydawnictwo Czarne, Wydawnictwo Literackie, Wydawnictwo RM

Content Partners:
4 liberty.eu, Centrum Dialogu im. Marka Edelmana w Łodzi, European Council on Foreign Relations, Festiwal Łódź Czterech Kultur, Forum Obywatelskiego Rozwoju, Forum Odpowiedzialnego Biznesu, Fundacja Batorego, Fundacja Miasto Literatury, HEAL Polska, InLodz21, INESS, Inspiring Girls, Institute for Politics and Society, Instytut Finansów Publicznych, Instytut Praw Dziecka im. Janusza Korczaka, KOD Region Łódzki, Kongres Obywatelskich Ruchów Demokratycznych – Tour de Konstytucja, Krytyka Polityczna, Lithuanian Free Market Institute, Łódzki Szlak Kobiet, Movimento Liberal Social, Music Declares Emergency, Ogólnopolska Federacja Organizacji Pozarządowych, Open for Business, Panoptykon, Polityka Insight, Polski Alarm Smogowy, Projekt: Polska, Protest z wykrzyknikiem, Republikon Institute, Roślinniejemy, Stowarzyszenie Adwokackie “Defensor Iuris”, Strajk Kobiet, SOS dla edukacji, Szkoła Liderów, The Paddy Ashdown Forum, THINKTANK, Fundacja UNAWEZA, Visio Institut, Warszawskie Obserwatorium Kultury, Wolna Szkoła, Wolne Sądy, Wybory bez picu

Media Partners:
Angora, Książki. Magazyn do czytania, Newsweek, OKO.press, Onet, TOK FM, Gazeta Wyborcza, Wysokie Obcasy, TOYA TV, TVN24

Round Table Partners:
Jabłoński Koźmiński i Wspólnicy, Instytut Cycerona, Polska Cyfrowa, Zalando

Networking Partners:
Green Caffe Nero

Idea Partners:
Akcja Demokracja, Ad Personam, Biblioteka Miejska w Łodzi, CASE – Centrum Analiz Społeczno-Ekonomicznych, Chcemy całego życia, Ciekaweliczby.pl, Climate Strategies Poland, Europejska Akademia Dyplomacji, Coopernicus, Do dzieła, Dziewczyny do polityki, European Law Students’ Association Łódź, Fabryka Równości, Frank Bold, Fundacja Edukacji i Aktywizacji Społecznej, Fundacja EFC, Fundacja Ocalenie, Fundacja Pole Dialogu, Fundacja Rodzić po Ludzku, Fundacja Szkoła z Klasą, Fundacja Wolności i Przedsiębiorczości, Gazeta Kongresy, Green REV Institute, InVitro to ludzie #TakDlaInVitro, INPRIS, Instytut Cyfrowego Obywatelstwa, Kampania Prawdy, Lasy i Obywatele, Łódzkie Centrum Wielokulturowe, Instytut Cyfrowego Obywatelstwa, Młodzi o Polityce, myPolitics, OFF School, Otwarte Klatki, Outriders, Teatr Nowy in. Kazimierza Dejmka w Łodzi, Pacjent Europa, Polskie Towarzystwo Mediów Medycznych, Rady Kobiet, Ranking Szkół Przyjaznych LGBTQ+, Replika, Res Publica, Sekcja Polityki Polskiej, Stowarzyszenie Kongres Kobiet, Stowarzyszenie Umarłych Statutów, Stowarzyszenie Żydowskie Czulent, Tkalnia, Viva! Akcja dla zwierząt – Łódź

How and where to watch the Freedom Games online?

Experiencing the atmosphere of the Freedom Games live is, of course, an irreplaceable form of participation in the forum. However, if you cannot be with us in Lodz on September 15-17 – we encourage you to follow our online broadcasts, for free and without any restrictions! How and where to watch the event online?

You can watch the selected event live by going to the “PROGRAM” section, located at www.igrzyskawolnosci.pl/en/program. Press the “CLICK AND WATCH LIVE” button – you will find it in the description that will appear when you click on the tile with the panel discussion or meeting you are interested in.

Please note that the sessions taking place on the GLASS ROOM stage and the meeting with Jonathan Littell will not be broadcast.

Check out the spot promoting the Freedom Games 2023 “Turning point”!

The “Turning Point” is coming! Watch the spot of the 2023 Games!

Let’s meet at the Freedom Games. We look forward to seeing you on September 15-17, at EC1 in Lodz!

This year’s speakers will include Jonathan Littell, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Anne Applebaum, Michael Ignatieff, Rebecca Makkai, Oksana Zabuzhko, Anda Rottenberg, Agnieszka Holland, Mikołaj Grynberg, Maciej Stuhr, Deirdre McCloskey, Paulina Siegień, Stefan Chwin, Renata Lis, Ewa Ewart, Grzegorz Piątek, Mark Galeotii and others.

Check out the program: https://igrzyskawolnosci.pl/en/program/

Freedom Games 2023: “Turning Point” as Watchword of the Next Edition

We are pleased to announce that the next edition of the event will be held on September 15-17, 2023 in Lodz, and the accompanying slogan will be “Turning Point”!

History is not determined. It is created by us with our collective efforts and individual choices. Which path will we take: passivity and defeat or courage and victory?

Russian aggression against Ukraine, skyrocketing energy prices, high inflation, imminent economic and climate crisis, and the pace of technological change make it difficult to look to the future with optimism. 

Increasing polarization makes it more and more difficult to find a coherent response to these challenges. Left and right populists are trying to destroy the liberal institutions which enable democracies to avoid internal conflicts.

At the same time, voters gradually reject seemingly simple solutions based on xenophobia and exclusion of those who think differently. Similar processes are also taking place in Poland. A turning point is coming for the future of the entire region, democracy, the rule of law and the model of capitalism.

During the tenth anniversary edition of the Freedom Games, a new generation of experts, NGOs, business, politicians, and citizens will present a proposal for change, a way to tame uncertainty, and a prospect for the future both locally and globally.

Determination and the will to fight, when backed by proper planning and preparation, make it possible to get out of even a seemingly dire situation. This is a lesson learned from the heroic resistance of the Ukrainians.

It is time to confront key geopolitical, economic, environmental, and social challenges together for the sake of ourselves, here and now, but also for the next generations, who have the right to a secure future.

The turning point is here and now. Let’s meet at the Freedom Games.

Freedom Games 2022: Thank you for being with us!

The ninth edition of Freedom Games, a unique interdisciplinary forum held annually in Lodz, was the largest and most prestigious of all those held so far. For two and a half days, Lodz became a true capital of democratic values. 

Over the course of nine years, Freedom Games has grown year by year into an event that is both national and international. The six stages located in the center of EC1 – a restored power plant – have hosted nearly 400 speakers and presenters, including a whole bunch of notable personalities such as Dr. Jane Goodall, Etgar Keret, Martyna Wojciechowska, Rafał Trzaskowski, Timothy Garton Ash, Jolanta Kwasniewska, Mariusz Szczygieł, Johan Norberg, Adam Bodnar, Krystyna Kurczab-Redlich, Joanna Ostrowska, Adam Michnik, Robert Makłowicz and the others.

The event consisted of nearly one hundred sessions: panel discussions, roundtables, literary meetings and lectures, which allowed speakers and the audience to exchange views and debate on topics such as climate crisis, equality, business, the economy, the future of Europe and the European Union, security challenges, changes in the energy sector, feminism, culture, or animal rights.

However, the leading theme of this year’s edition was “Green Independence.” In today’s world, green transformation is a synonym for green independence. Our climate and environmental goals are identical to geopolitical ones. Thus, we talked, among other things, about the impact of the war in Ukraine on the green transition and green development as an opportunity for Central and Eastern Europe. We also asked how to counter populist opposition to the green transition, and we reflected on what the war in Ukraine changes in our moral compass.

But first and foremost, Freedom Games is a unique community experience, providing an egalitarian platform for the exchange of ideas and opinions. This year’s event was attended by more than 2,500 male and female participants, who contributed to the forum by enriching the debates with their questions and comments (including from in front of their computer screens).

In addition, a standing ovation belongs to the entire technical team of Last Minute Events, which is  responsible for the production of the event under the leadership of the irreplaceable Agnieszka Durmaj. During each day of the forum there are dozens of people working on the backstage – sound engineers, cameramen, online streaming people and many, many others – without whom all this would not have been possible.

We would like to thank to our fantastic photography team: Agnieszka Cytacka photography, Zuza Balcerzak ᴾᴴᴼᵀᴼ and Raspberry Workshop.

We are also grateful to the translators and interpreters, to Marek Lewoc, who took care of the graphic design of the event, and to our good spirits, i.e. volunteers – you really are wonderful!

Finally, we also would like to thank our partners:

Strategic Partner: City of Lodz, Lodz Event Center

Co-organizer: European Liberal Forum

Partners: Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit, Open Society Foundations, Atlas Network, Wildland, RadicalxChange, Google

Supporting partners: Velux, Orange, Incredible Inspirations, Economic Freedom Foundation, Amazon, IKEA, European Climate Foundation, Meta

Publishing partner: Wydawnictwo Literackie

Substantive partners: 4liberty.eu, FOR Foundation (Civil Development Forum), Republikon Institute, Inštitut Visio, Lithuanian Free Market Institute, Institute of Economics and Social Studies, Institute for Politics and Society, MLS – Movimento Liberal Social, Projekt: Polska Foundation, Strategie 2050, European Committee of the Regions, Tygodnik Powszechny Foundation, Bronisław Geremek Center Foundation, Forum for the European Climate Change. Bronisław Geremek, Dialogue Forum, The Paddy Ashdown Forum, Greenpeace Poland, Civic Institute, HEAL Poland, Committee for Defense of Democracy, Protest with an exclamation mark, KIG Social Dialogue Committee, Campaign Against Homophobia, Viva Foundation! Stefan Batory Foundation, Inspiring Girls Poland, Young People’s Parliament of the Republic of Poland, UNICEF Poland, ECFR Roma – European Council on Foreign Relations, “Defensor Iuris” Bar Association #DI, Kontakt Magazine, Lodz Women’s Trail, Free Courts, Political Criticism

Idea Partners: City Library of Lodz, Center for International Relations, Ciekaweliczby.pl, EduKABE Foundation for Creative Solutions, Gazeta Kongresy, Koper Pomaga, KORD, Foundation “Space for Education”, Local Government Movement YES! for Polsk, Tour de Konstytucja PL, Free School

Networking partner: Green Cafe Nero

Media partners: Onet, Gazeta Wyborcza, Radio TOK FM, Ksiazki. Magazine to read, Newsweek Polska, Angora, TOYA TV

Accompanying event: Alt:work

Side event organizers: Inwedo, Hycom, Bluerank, binarapps

See you next year!

Check out the aftermovie from the 2022 Freedom Games!


We are presenting a video summarizing this year’s edition of the forum. We hope that it will allow us
bring back the amazing atmosphere and “sweeten” the wait for the next edition!
See you next year!
Freedom Games team
Photo by Agnieszka Cytacka Fotografia

European Liberal Forum at Freedom Games

This year, among the hundreds of guests one may find: Johan Norberg (a Swedish author, lecturer, and documentary filmmaker), Dr Jane Goodall (World renowned ethologist & conservationist), Tom G. Palmer (Executive vice president for international programs at Atlas Network, senior fellow at the Cato Institute), Daisy Sindelar (Vice President and Editor in Chief of RFE/RL), John Keane (Professor of Politics at the University of Sydney and the WZB, Berlin), and currently teaching at Beijing Foreign Studies University), Emily O’Riley (European Ombudsman), Mark Lilla (Professor of the Humanities at Columbia University), Gerald Knaus (Author, the European Stability Initiative’s founding chairman), Nataliya Melnyk (Executive Director of Bendukidze Free Market Center), Marek Józefiak (Media and policy officer of Greenpeace Poland), Aneta Vaine (Vice President of the Lithuanian Free Market Institute, LFMI), Janina Ochojska (Polish humanitarian worker, President of the Polish Humanitarian Organization, member of the European Parliament) among many others.

This year, once again, the European dimension will be clearly visible across various sessions. As part of the ELF HUB at Freedom Games 2022, renowned speakers from Poland and abroad will discuss such topics as, for instance, energy as a geopolitical weapon, new EU responses to war refugees, ensuring information offensive in Russia, the rule of law and EU funds, or LGBTQI rights as human rights.  We are also pleased to announce that among the speakers and moderators one will also find members of the ELF – Daniel Kaddik (Executive Director), Antonios Nestoras (Head of Policy and Research), and Laurenz van Ginneken (Project Officer) are already among the confirmed guests. Join the forum in person!

In 2022, Freedom Games received Atlas Network Europe Liberty Forum in recognition of the enormous effort of the organizers to bring the freedom-minded people from across the globe together in Poland and promote the values of freedom, democracy, and free market.

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