To All FIMEM National Movements
Dear Friends,
There is not much time left until the beginning of RIDEF. We would like to share some important organizational information to help you prepare for your arrival.
RIDEF Opening Ceremony
The official opening of RIDEF will take place on 31 July 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
We kindly ask all participants and invited guests to gather at 3:45 p.m. in front of Hotel Mistral, where we will form a colourful parade. Colourful clothing and national flags are warmly encouraged. Accompanied by a brass band, we will joyfully walk together to the Sports and Entertainment Hall, where the 36th Rencontre Internationale des Éducateurs et Éducatrices Freinet will officially begin.
Pre-RIDEF and Post-RIDEF
All participants registered for Pre-RIDEF and Post-RIDEF are in regular contact with the coordinator, Martyna Tarnowska. They receive detailed organizational information regarding accommodation, transportation and the programme.
Gdańsk – the city of freedom and solidarity – is waiting for you!
Pre-RIDEF and Post-RIDEF coordinator:
E-mail: martyna.tarnowska@freinet.pl
WhatsApp: +48 503 447 533
Accommodation – Answers to Your Questions
Participants staying at the camping site must bring their own tent with all necessary equipment or arrive with a camper van. The campsite provides a pitch for the tent or camper, access to water, electricity and sanitary facilities.
Participants staying at the school should bring their own towel and toiletries. The school provides beds with bed linen and access to the dining hall.
Each hotel room has its own private bathroom.
Meals – Answers to Your Questions
Meals at the hotel are served as a buffet.
Meals at the school are provided as catering.
Base Groups
Throughout RIDEF, participants will meet twice a day in their base groups during the morning and evening “What’s New?” circles. These meetings will serve informational, organizational and community-building purposes.
Meeting times:
- 9:00–9:30 a.m. – after breakfast
- 6:00–6:30 p.m. – before dinner
We have created 11 base groups:
- 2 French-speaking
- 2 Spanish-speaking
- 3 English-speaking
- 1 German-speaking
- 3 Polish-speaking
Transport from Gdańsk to Gniewino – 31 July 2026
We are still urgently waiting for information about your arrival time in Gdańsk, whether by plane or by train. We also need your departure time after RIDEF. These details are essential for organizing transportation efficiently. https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/23Bq97Wyrb
We are planning several bus transfers between Gdańsk and Gniewino. The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours. For participants arriving later, we will do our best to arrange transportation by an organizer’s car.
The detailed bus timetable will be published on the website as soon as we receive arrival information from at least half of the participants.
Your travel information is truly very important to us.
Please don’t forget!
Please bring with you:
- your national flag,
- regional or national specialties for the Friendship Evening,
- the programme prepared for the Cultural Evening.
And above all, bring what matters most at RIDEF: openness, curiosity about others, good humour, and the willingness to learn together and share experiences.
Communication with the Organizing Committee
Please check your email regularly (including your spam folder) and carefully read all messages sent from ridef@freinet.pl, as well as all communications sent via WhatsApp and Signal.
See you in Gniewino!
RIDEF 2026 Organizing Committee
