In a press conference on Monday, examiners announced they would be informing police about a suspected leak of the content on the Matura school-leaving exam.
Monday’s Polish-language exam contained a question about the use of elements of the fantastic in “Wesele” (The Wedding), a play by poet, playwright, and painter Stanisław Wyspiański. The work is widely considered one of the most important works of Polish literature.
In a press conference on Monday, the head of Poland’s Central Examination Board, Marcin Smolik, announces „there may be a problem” after it was shown that internet users in north-east Poland started googling the phrase “Wedding fantastic elements” shortly before the test started.
Some 270,000 students will be taking a series of required and elective subject exams throughout the month of June as part of the obligatory matura exam.
Source: Radio Poland
Poland launches app to track COVID-19 exposure
Following a spike in confirmed coronavirus infections over the weekend the Polish government yesterday unveiled an improved version of its contact tracing app for smartphones, dubbed ProteGO Safe.
Although a previous generation of the Polish app was launched over a month ago, privacy concerns forced developers to retool the original app. The more secure Bluetooth proximity technology developed by Apple and Google allows one device to „see” other nearby devices and notifies users if they have been in the proximity of someone with a confirmed coronavirus diagnosis.
During yesterday’s press conference, Health Minister Lukasz Szumowski stressed the importance of such technology in helping residents “feel safe” and emphasized that there may be no need to return to lockdown restrictions if the ProteGo Safe application is used consistently.
The ProteGO Safe app is currently available for download on both Android and Apple devices.
Source: PAP, Reuters
New campaign promotes Poland abroad
Polish Institutes around the world are launching new websites in connection with the new “Discover Poland” initiative, in hopes of bolstering the hard-hit Polish tourism industry.
Polish diplomats in 25 countries have started a campaign to actively promote Polish language, culture, and history and to encourage tourists to come to Poland following the loosening of COVID-19 lockdowns.
The initiative comes just in time for American film actor Robert de Niro, who recently announced he would be opening a hotel in Warsaw this summer.
According to Business Insider, The new five-star hotel in the heart of the Polish capital will be part of the Nobu Hotels chain founded by De Niro, chef Nobu Matsuhisa, and film producer Meir Teper. The 117-room hotel is slated to open August 3.
Source: Radio Poland
UK theatre reaches out to Polish-speaking community
A well-renowned regional theatre company in the UK has found a novel way to engage with the local Polish-speaking community.
The Chichester Festival Theatre, located in the historic town of Chichester in southeastern England, first began offering translated performances in 2019, o “make theatre more accessible to all” and “break down the language barrier that may prevent some families and individuals from enjoying theatre.”
As the pandemic forced the productions to move online, the theatre continued with this tradition by adding Polish-language captions to their online broadcasts. Their current production of “Beauty and the Beast” or “Piękna i Bestia” features Polish-language subtitles and is available to stream for free on their website (Source: https://www.cft.org.uk/) from now until June 19.
For links to the online production or other online entertainment options, follow us on Twitter @RadioGdanskNews.
Weather
Today will be mostly cloudy and cool with a chance for rain showers in the evening and a light breeze coming in from the north. Temperatures will peak around a high of 17°C, or 62°F, dropping to a low of 13°C or 55°F overnight. Scattered showers are expected for tomorrow, with sunny skies returning over the weekend.
Elizabeth Peck
