Poland Celebrates Feast of Epiphany

Yesterday was the celebration of the Catholic Holiday of the Feast of Epiphany, commonly referred to as “Three Kings Day.” To commemorate the arrival of the Magi to witness Jesus Christ twelve days after his birth, processions took place all over Poland in about 800 cities and towns.

The celebrations included actors portraying the Magi on camel or horse back while handing out treats to children during the processions, symbolizing their gifts to Jesus, accompanied with carollers entertaining the spectators.

Source: PAP, PolskieRadio

Polish Fiat Factory to Close After 75 Years

This week it was announced that the historic FCA Powertrain plant in Bielsko-Biała will be closing down after operating since 1948. The liquidation will result in the termination of around 450 jobs due to EU restrictions on vehicle emissions.

A representative of the Polish Fiat Workers Union remarked that the move was expected, as 300 workers had already been dismissed last year. However, FCA management along with multiple unions stated that they will do their best to provide employees with the “best possible conditions needed to go through the process of professional change.” Stellantis, the plant’s owner, also said they will offer the employees jobs at other production plants in Poland.

Source: NotesFromPoland

PM Tusk Says “Poland Will Not Accept a Single Migrant under EU Relocation Scheme”

PM Donald Tusk stated that his government will refuse any relocated asylum seekers under the EU’s migration pact, and that he generally disagrees with the proposed new system.

The pact had become a subject of political contention in Poland, especially in relation to Poland’s recent election. The move to reject the proposal may lay the opposition’s concern that Tusk’s government would accept the EU’s term to rest.

Source: NotesFromPoland

Poland Dominates First Round of Dakar Rally

Nineteen year-old Polish driver Eryk Goczał and his co-driver, Spain’s Oriol Mena, won the first round of 2024 Dakar Rally in the challenger class. Finishing second and sixth were Goczał’s uncle, Michał, and his father, Marek, respectively.

Former European champion Krzysztof Hołowczyc also came in sixth in Friday’s main car competition. The rally takes place over two weeks, beginning in Al-Ula and concluding in Yanbu on the Red Sea.

Weather

Today’s weather is again to be predicted to be overcast for its duration, there is no forecast for snowfall, but temperatures are beginning to sink lower at -9 to -5 degrees celsius, or 15 to 23 degrees fahrenheit.

Bryce Buren/jk