A teachers’ awards ceremony is underway in Gdansk to mark National Education Day. More than 700 teachers from Pomerania will receive national and regional decorations and prizes during the three-day event.
The Pomeranian superintendent of education, Małgorzata Bielang, said she believes every teacher enters the profession believing they have something important to fulfil, and that the occasion is a time to remember about how they do this in the best possible way.
On National Education Day it’s also customary for children to take small gifts and sometimes organise special performances for teachers in their schools.
Source: radiogdansk.pl
Man accused of spying for Belarusian intelligence
A Polish man has been charged with spying for Belarusian intelligence after being arrested by the Internal Security Agency.
The charges come as part of an investigation by the Agency into the activities of the Belarusian KDB intelligence service against the Polish state.
A court in Warsaw detained the suspected spy for three months.
The security agency said in a statement that since the 1980s the man worked as a member of Poland’s uniformed services — including the ZOMO motorised militia, the Citizen’s militia, and the police.
He retired as a Border Guards lieutenant 20 years ago.
Source: PAP
Kaczyński to step down as deputy PM to focus on party job
The deputy prime minister Jarosław Kaczyński will step down from his role in government to focus on his work as President of the Law and Justice party, PiS.
The Polish Press Agency reports that he told the parliamentary club of PiS that the roles of deputy PM and party president were incompatible, giving him only one day a week at party headquarters.
Kaczyński is reported to have told the meeting that his decision had been dictated by the need for greater control over the party.
He will step down from his governmental work at the beginning of next year.
Source: PAP
Prizes for public buildings and spaces with accessibility focus
Four public facilities in Pomerania have received accolades for being designed to be accessible for everyone.
The annual „Accessibility Leader” competition celebrates buildings and public spaces that focus on removing obstacles to people with disabilities.
At a gala at the Presidential Palace, the awards were handed to Dream House and the Emigration Museum in Gdynia, the City Park in Starogard Gdanski, and a therapy and education centre in Mikoszów.
President Andrzej Duda said he hoped that the competition will continue until our entire public space becomes fully accessible.
Source: radiogdansk.pl
Poland one of world’s big four chocolate exporters
Poland is the fourth-largest exporter of chocolate in the world, says a report by Polish chocolate maker Wedel.
Only Germany, Belgium and Italy export more of the sweet stuff than Poland, which shipped 2.1 billion dollars’ worth abroad last year.
The report coincides with the 170th anniversary of the founding of Wedel, and says that Poles on average eat 5.2 kilograms of chocolate per year.
Source: thefirstnews.com
Weather
Expect a chilly day today with rain this afternoon and evening in Gdansk. Temperatures will remain in single figures, peaking at 9 degrees Celsius or 48 Fahrenheit. Overnight will be similar, with tomorrow turning drier and a touch warmer at 12 degrees C or 54 Fahrenheit.
Andrew Carter/MarWer