Every autumn since 1994, the Polish city of Kraków has hosted “Marsz Jamników” – the Dachshund Parade – in which hundreds of Dachshunds (some in costume) come from all over the world to participate. The parade first began in 1973, but leave it to Communists to spoil a good thing. The parade was banned by Communist authorities who thought it was reeked of anti-establishment sentiment.When Communism fell in Poland, the event was reintroduced.
As we write, it is the night before Easter Sunday, but since we spotted bunny ears early in the video below, we reasoned that it’s a good enough reason to post now about a parade that typically happens in the fall:
Jamnik is the Polish word for Dachshund, and in addition to being a popular pet in Poland, there are certain Polish things that are associated with Jamniki. Under Soviet rule, for instance, mass-development of standardized tower blocks (read: ugly) in park-like settings were built using structural insulated panels in short order. One building constructed in 1973 is a 1,667 foot long building nicknamed Jamnik for its “Dachshund-like” length. Fans of the British Brit alternative rock band, Travis, might recognize the building as it was included in their “Love Will Come Through” music video.
Another reference can be found on Kraków’s Solaris Urbino 18 articulated buses used for public transport. A Varsovian jamnik – 
or green Warsaw Dachshund – logo is pasted onto the left-hand corner and is supposed to symbolize the low-floor feature of the bus, a boon to the elderly and handicapped.The Dachshund’s “greenness” is a reference to the company’s environmental commitment.
When Pope John Paul II visited Poland in 1975, he was driven to the Częstochowa cathedral in another famous jamnik, an extended version of the Polski Fiat 125p, a Polish car manufactured from the late 60s to the 90s under license from the Italian company Fiat. It was a state-of-the-art car in the late sixties, and was to substitute the Warszawa, which by that time, was an obsolete design.
But what’s up with Dachshunds and Poles?
Some say that the breed showed up in Kraków over 500 years ago, and as of a few years ago, the Dachshund was the most commonly seen breed in the city of Kraków. The parade may have started out as a local “tip-of-the hat,” but it has grown into an international parade: In 2014, the “King” of the Parade came from Galicia, but his “Queen” came in from Tennessee.
Need more video? This one includes a brief English language commentary:
Dachshund lovers, it’s not too soon to make your travel plans to Poland in time for the parade!
Hi. Please could you tell me when the 2020 parade is? Thank you.
Find this out is tricky, Susan, since we don’t speak Polish, but we’ve contacted Radio Kraków since they show up in the Google searches on the event. If we hear back, we’ll post it here.
Hello all, I am living in Krakow, I am managing a new page mentioned bellow
where this parade and much other pet events related will be announced every year.
Facebook
Best Friends Krakow
@bestfriendskrakow
Alan, we’re keenly interested in your parade, can you please keep us apprised?
What date is this for 2023 please Alan?
Kraków’s Dachshund Parade