As part of a resolution commemorating WWII and the importance of historical memory, the European Parliament voted last week to officially recognize the contributions of Captain Witold Pilecki to Allied war efforts. The resolution, which passed by an overwhelming majority, calls for a „common culture of remembrance” in Europe as a means to strengthen Europeans’ resilience to current threats to democracy.
In order to give future generations a „a clear example of the correct attitude to take in the face of the threat of totalitarianism,” MPs proposed establishing May 25th as the “International Day of Heroes of the Fight against Totalitarianism” in honor of Pilecki.
During World War II, Pilecki risked his life to sneak into Auschwitz in order to produce the first comprehensive Allied intelligence report on the Holocaust. He was later accused of espionage against the Soviet Union and executed in Poland by the Communists on May 25th, 1948.
In addition to paying tribute to victims of Stalinism, Nazism and other totalitarian and authoritarian regimes, the European Parliament also called on Member States to effectively ban organizations that glorify Nazism, fascism and other forms of totalitarianism, and to counteract hate speech and violence in public spaces and on the internet.
They also condemned extremist and xenophobic organizations and political forces in Europe for falsifying historical facts and using the symbolism and rhetoric of totalitarian propaganda, including racism, anti-Semitism and hatred of sexual and other minorities.
The full text of the resolution (in English) can be found here: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-9-2019-0098_EN.html
Pomeranian youth travel to Brussels as part of the “Seize the Vote” competition
In an effort to encourage youth participation and voter turnout, winners of the regional “Weź zagłosuj” or „Seize the Vote” youth competition visited the European Parliament in Brussels last week.
The competition was organized by the Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area Association (OMGGSA) with the idea of encouraging young people to create and document initiatives to increase voter turnout in European elections.
Some students baked pastries and chatted with residents, others customized and recorded a version of Paweł Domagała’s hit song “Weź nie pytaj” or „Do not ask,” and still others filmed interviews with EU grant applicants to highlight EU investments in local initiatives like the Mevo bike system, Centrum Hewelianum in Gdańsk, and the Forest Opera in Sopot.
Prizes included EU Interrail tickets for the winner and a friend along with a 5,000 zloty scholarship and a two-day trip to visit EU headquarters in Brussels. After the trip, participants commented that they “felt at home” in Brussels and “felt like part of what’s [there], as if we helped create it.”
Closure of shops as major renovations get underway at Gdańsk Główny
Visitors to Gdańsk Główny have met with closed shops and unsightly construction, a situation that isn’t likely to change until the beginning of next year.
Renovations to restore the historical grandeur of the central rail station in Gdańsk got underway earlier this month, with shops and restaurants being closed and ticket counters, – including SKM ticket sales – being consolidated in the main building.
Access to long-distance platforms 1 and 2 from inside the building will also be closed soon, although luggage storage is still available. Food and drink can only be purchased at vending machines and the McDonald’s will be closed, although the nearby KFC will remain open throughout the renovations.
Modernization of the tunnels leading to the platforms and the platforms themselves is scheduled to be completed at the beginning of 2020, with all renovations set to be completed in 2021. For the time being, travelers are advised to check updated signage postings around the station and budget for additional time to get to their platforms.
Rugby World Cup kicks off in Japan over the weekend
The Rugby World Cup officially kicked off last week in Japan; the first time an Asian country has ever hosted the international sporting event.
The competition started off well for the host country with a decisive victory over Russia in the opening match on Friday. Although Japan has competed in every World Cup since the inaugural competition in 1987, it has never advanced beyond the initial stages.
They will face an uphill battle to the quarter-finals, however, with their next match slated for Saturday the 28th of September against 2nd-ranked Ireland. 20th-ranked Russia will face similar difficulties against 16th-ranked Samoa in their match scheduled for 12:15pm Polish time on Tuesday.
An estimated 500,000 fans will visit Japan to watch the tournament, which has already proved an economic boon to many Japanese communities still recovering from 2011’s massive earthquake and tsunami.
RG News
