Polish Catholics mark Feast of Assumption

Thousands of worshippers flocked to churches around Poland yesterday as the country celebrated the Catholic Feast of the Assumption. As part of the observances, pilgrims from throughout the country have descended on the Jasna Góra shrine in the southern city of Częstochowa, home to the nation’s venerated Black Madonna icon. The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been celebrated by Catholics for centuries. In Poland, it has a distinctive flavour, with the culmination of a time-honoured pilgrimage season. The Black Madonna is considered Poland’s most important icon. A small painting of the Virgin Mary on a wooden panel, it has hung in the Pauline monastery in Częstochowa since 1384. It is venerated by Roman Catholics and Christians from across the world. About 92 percent of Poles declare themselves to be Catholics.

Source – Polskie Radio

Polish inflation at 10.8% in July

Inflation in Poland stands at 10.8 percent year-on-year in July according to the country’s statistics agency. The new figures mark a drop from June’s inflation which stood at 11.5 percent and shows a falling trend from May’s inflation rate which stood at 13 percent. Poland’s central bank chief last month renewed his prediction that the Polish economy would avoid a recession in 2023 and that inflation would drop to the single digits by the end of the year. The Polish central bank said in its latest Inflation Report, released on July 10, that inflation would average at 11.9 percent this year, followed by 5.2 percent in 2024 and 3.6 percent in 2025. The bank’s rate-setting Monetary Policy Council in July left key interest rates unchanged, keeping the reference rate at 6.75 percent.

Source – Polskie Radio

Poland braces for heatwave

Poland is set for yet more high temperatures today after a recent hot spell arrived in the country. Temperatures on are set to exceed 35 degrees Celsius today, and the government has urged citizens to take precautions against hot weather. The state-run Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) said in a statement that the highest temperatures are expected in the central and eastern parts of Poland. Experts also warned against heavy storms and strong wind in some areas of the country. Officials advised the public to “avoid physical exertion, stay home, if possible, wear a hat and apply UV filter cream.”

Source – Polskie Radio

Man dies after being hit by train in Gdańsk Orunia

And finally, a man has died after being hit by a train in the Orunia district of Gdańsk yesterday evening. The man was hit by the train after entering the tracks near the station at around 10pm. He was hit by an intercity train from Kostrzyn to Gdynia Główna. He died instantly. The cause of the accident will be clarified by the prosecutor’s investigation. Due to the accident, trains ran on one track for 3 hours. 14 trains were delayed.

Source – Radio Gdańsk

Weather

Today will be a sunny day in a gentle breeze, with temperatures of 26 degrees centigrade (79 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day and 13 degrees overnight. Tomorrow will remain sunny with scattered clouds in light winds, with temperatures of 22 degrees during the day and 15 degrees overnight.

Martin Caren