Poland’s prime minister was in Brussels yesterday to discuss EU climate policy and post-pandemic recovery with the head of the European Commission.
The talks between Mateusz Morawiecki and Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday also focused on Poland’s national post-pandemic recovery plan.

The European Commission has yet to approve Poland’s plan to spend billions in extra funds from the bloc to reinvigorate economies after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to reports by Polish Radio’s IAR news agency.

On the topic of climate change, the European Union’s executive is due to unveil a new package of climate regulations today. The new regulations will be aimed at ensuring a 55 percent cut in the bloc’s greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2030.

Source: Radio Poland

The preliminary round of the 18th Fryderyk Chopin International Piano Competition began in Warsaw on Monday, with fans coming in droves to hear the composer’s music performed by young hopefuls.

More than 150 pianists from around the world will be playing at the National Philharmonic Hall in Warsaw, vying for a place in the competition finals set for October.

The competition, which was rescheduled from last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, has taken place every five years since 1955. The last Polish pianist to win the coveted laureate title was Rafał Blechacz in 2005.

The preliminary rounds will last until the 23 of July and can be watched online on the competition website or via their app or the YouTube channel of the Chopin Institute.

Source: Radio Poland/https://chopin2020.pl/

The Polish Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) has issued a second-degree heat warning as temperatures spike across Poland.

According to IMGW, temperatures during the day could be as high as 33°C (92°F), with nighttime temperatures ranging between 18 to 21 degrees Celsius or 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Officials are reminding residents that high temperatures can be especially dangerous for infants, young children, and the elderly. The Pomeranian Voivodeship Office in Gdańsk recently published a list of safety tips on its website, such as staying out of the full sun, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding strenuous exercise or physical exertion.

The same advice holds true for pets, which should have unlimited access to water and shade and should not, under any circumstances, be left in parked cars.

The heat warning is in effect since yesterday at noon and will last until tomorrow evening. More details (in Polish) can be found here: https://www.gdansk.uw.gov.pl/5416-uwaga-znowu-bedzie-goraco.

Source: Radio Gdańsk

The Walt Disney Company was on location in Kashubia yesterday to begin shooting an animated feature set to take place in 15th century Hel.

The sensational news was shared with participants of the 2021 Kashubian Film Festival (FFK) in the Żukowo commune by Mirosław Piepka, the screenwriter of acclaimed Polish films like “Czarny Czwartek” and “Kamerdyner”.

As told by Piepka, he was approached in February 2020 by Disney with a proposal to write a script for an animated feature film. In his speech to audience members at the film festival, he described the film as “intended for viewers aged 7 to 107” and “produced using the same technology as ‘Shrek’”. He went on to explain that “most of the scenes will be filmed in Kashubia, as the production costs are cheaper here than in Chicago, Miami or Paris”.

This will be the first production in Disney history to be based on a script by Polish authors, and three Polish Oscar winners will be involved in the production, which includes Trefl Film as co-producers.

Source: Radio Gdańsk, www.gdynia.pl

Weather

Today will be a mix of rain and sun with a light breeze coming in from the northeast and a good chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon and overnight. Temperatures will peak around a high of 29°C, or 85°F, staying warm overnight with a low of only 21°C or 69°F. Tomorrow looks to be hot and humid again, with a chance for cooler weather returning over the weekend.