Poland’s central bank has updated its GDP growth forecasts for the country, saying it now expects the economy to contract by 5.4 percent this year, but grow by 4.9 percent in 2021.
In its latest Inflation Report, released at the end of last week, the National Bank of Poland (NBP) said that „the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and administrative restrictions imposed on economic and social life in the first half of 2020 led to a deep recession in the global economy, including Poland.”
According to the report, the fall in domestic GDP is primarily a result of „reduced household and corporate expenditures in response to uncertainty, limited activity in industries and sectors directly affected by the lockdown, and weaker external demand.”
The figures are a sharp departure from initial projections back in March, in which the bank predicted the Polish economy would grow 3.2 percent this year and 3.1 percent in 2021.
Despite the gloomy short-term forecast, the central bank did offer some optimism in the long term, emphasizing that „domestic economic activity will pick up, supported by the government’s anti-crisis measures and monetary easing.” It added, however, that „it will take some time for GDP to return to the pre-COVID-19 level.”
Source: Radio Poland
The Pilecki Institute is looking for participants for the pilot edition of its International Teachers and Educators Program, which will focus on resistance against totalitarian regimes in 20th-century Europe.
The Warsaw-based Instytut Pileckiego is hosting the special five-day video-conference in English to help educators from other countries better understand Poland’s recent turbulent history, marked by decades of resistance against two totalitarian regimes.
The program will consist of a five-day online conference from August 15–19, which will be followed by a study trip to Poland in the near future. Participants will have access to podcasts, workshops, discussions, and presentations, as well as the opportunity to present and discuss the historical experience of their own countries.
Participation in the conference is free of charge, but places are limited and preference will be given to applicants delivering a presentation. For more information on how to register, visit this site.
Source: Radio Poland
Legia Warszawa have won Poland’s top-flight Ekstraklasa football league, while Lech Poznań finished runners-up as the season drew to a close over the weekend.
The Warsaw club finished the 2019/2020 campaign three points ahead of Lech Poznań and eight points ahead of defending champions Piast Gliwice to regain their title.
Lechia Gdańsk finished a respectable fourth overall after beating Śląsk Wrocław yesterday 2-1. Fans of the White and Green are hoping for one more chance to celebrate later this week when Lechia faces off against Cracovia for the Polish Cup, „the most important game of the season.” Radio Gdańsk will be broadcasting the match, which is set for 21:00 on Friday, June 24.
Source: Radio Poland, Radio Gdańsk
An unusual type of exhibit opened over the weekend in Gdańsk, which allows participants to „see” how the world is experienced by the blind or visually impaired.
Called „Invisible Gdańsk,” the exhibit features an exploration of the history of Gdańsk and its most important symbols, which visitors will discover through the use of touch or sound. The tour takes place in complete darkness, with participants being led by an experienced guide who „live[s] with the darkness every day and can perfectly navigate it.”
Reservations for „Invisible Gdańsk” must be booked in advance, either in person or online. For more information on this unusual exhibit, visit invisiblegdansk.com.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will be mostly cloudy with thunderstorms moving in this afternoon as winds from the south push the stormfront towards the Gdańsk Bay. Temperatures will peak around a high of 24°C, or 76°F, dropping overnight to 13°C or 55°F. Rains should taper off overnight, with tomorrow set to be partly cloudy and cool.
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