Yesterday marked the 229th anniversary of the first Polish Constitution, an event commemorated by representatives of several other countries, including the United States, Germany, Italy, Russia, and Hungary. In a post on Twitter, US Ambassador to Poland Georgette Mosbacher wished Poles a happy Constitution Day, writing that “Poland and the U.S. have always shared common values and history. Today our relationship is stronger than ever.”
In his annual address yesterday, Polish President Andrzej Duda emphasized the need for common values such as “order and unity” in the fight against coronavirus, values “which the [Polish] constitution protects and safeguards.”
He went on to praise Poles for their efforts during this difficult time, adding, “I am deeply impressed by how wonderfully Poles are behaving in the face of the pandemic. Today I want to thank you with all my heart.”
The Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791, was the first modern constitution in Europe and the second one in the world after the American Constitution in 1787.
Shops and hotels allowed to reopen
Polish residents are feeling thankful as shopping malls, hotels, and outdoor sporting areas reopen today as part of Phase II of easing lockdown restrictions across the country.
Cultural venues such as museums, art galleries, and libraries are free to open their doors to the public today, and physical therapists may also restart their businesses in order to help people in need of rehabilitation. Rules requiring masks to be worn outside the house and social distancing of at least 2 meters in public remain in effect, however.
The timing for opening cultural institutions has been left to the discretion of local governments. According to the City of Gdańsk, cultural institutions in Gdańsk will remain closed until mid-May, with updated information being posted online on the city’s website at www.gdansk.pl as well as the websites of local cultural institutions.
In a press conference last month, Prime Minister Morawiecki announced that restrictions imposed to curb the COVID-19 epidemic would be relaxed in four stages, but the timing would depend on the progress of the disease.
Source: gdańsk.pl, Radio Poland
Coronavirus numbers still rising
In terms of coronavirus infections in Poland, officials have yet to say if the rate of infection has peaked.
As of 10:00 this morning, a total of 13,937 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Poland, with 683 deaths reported thus far. In the province of Pomerania, 444 people are infected, of which 17 have died, many of whom were residents of local nursing homes in the region.
In a bit of good news, the outbreak at the Provincial Psychiatric Hospital (responsible for 26 infections in Pomerania) is reportedly under control. Additionally, of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, hospitalizations nationwide have remained stable at around 2,600 (2653) while over 4000 patients (4095) have now recovered.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, Ministerstwo Zdrowotne
Chopin Institute launches “Stay at Home with Chopin” recitals
A series of traditional Sunday piano recitals kicked off yesterday in Żelazowa Wola, birthplace of the world-famous composer Fryderyk Chopin.
Located some 60 kilometers outside of Warsaw, the composer’s estate has hosted similar Sunday concerts for the past 65 years. Due to restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, there was no audience yesterday and the performance was streamed online as part of the “#zostanwdomu z Chopinem” program.
The annual concert series opened with a recital by 27-year-old Krzysztof Książek, a Kraków native and winner of numerous prestigious international awards. In the coming weeks, recitals by other prominent pianists will be streaming online every Sunday at 3 p.m on Youtube and other social media of the National Fryderyk Chopin Institute.
Książek’s performance can currently be viewed online at: https://youtu.be/wJdBt9Nid3c
Source: Radio Poland
To stay updated on the latest news and events follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/radiogdansknews
Weather
Today will be partly cloudy and mild with a good chance of rain in the afternoon. Temperatures will peak around a high of 13°C, or 57°F, dropping to a low of 4°C or 39°F overnight. Sunny skies will return tomorrow, however, with temperatures expected to stay on the cool side as the week progresses.
RGEN
