In a rare show of unity, Polish politicians from across the political spectrum have come together to call for the release of political prisoners in Belarus.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki met with opposition leaders yesterday in Warsaw. Speaking after the meeting, Mr Morawiecki voiced a joint appeal, calling on the Belarusian government to free critics being held for political reasons.
He added: „It is unacceptable for people who are in favour of freedom, democracy and the sovereignty of Belarus to be locked up in jails.”
This week two important figures in the Belarusian opposition have been jailed for 10 days. Olga Kovalkova and Sergei Dylevski have been at the forefront of the ongoing wave of strikes and protests against incumbent president, Aleksandyr Lukashenka.
Kovalkova is an ally and representative of exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. Dylevski meanwhile, has been leading a strike by factory workers. Both were arrested on Monday and are being held at the infamous Okrestino detention centre in Minsk.
Schools across Poland are preparing to return to in-person classes after nearly six months. Most Polish schools are set to begin the new academic year back in the classroom despite the continuing pandemic.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Education Minister Dariusz Piontkowski said there was no reason to postpone the school year, rejecting calls to do so from teachers’ unions. Mr Piontkowski said there had not been a large spike in cases over the summer and there was no reason to delay school opening.
More details are expected later this week on how schools will manage the risk of contagion and whether schools will close in the event of an outbreak.
It’s also not yet clear what the rules on the wearing of facemasks in schools will be, though a decision is expected today or tomorrow.
Schools in other countries have been facing similar dilemmas. Schools in England are set to reopen after medical officials concluded the harm of missing more school was greater than the risk posed by coronavirus, which affects most children only mildly.
Meanwhile, the University of Gdansk has announced it will be staying with online learning for the bulk of its lectures and classes. However, some practical sessions will take place in-person where distance-learning isn’t feasible.
The Irish fashion giant Primark has opened its first store in Poland.
The discount retailer, which is hugely popular in the UK and Ireland, is adding to its growing number of stores worldwide. In recent years the chain has expanded into Italy, France, and the US with further plans to expand into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Primark has long had a reputation for low-price fashion but has also drawn criticism for unethical work practices in its factories and the environmental damage caused by the production and waste of cheap clothing.
The chain’s first Polish store is located in Warsaw’s Galeria Mlociny and features sections for men, women, and children as well as home and beauty departments.
In Gdansk, Central Europe’s largest jewellery event is taking place this week.
The 27th annual Amberif fair of amber and jewellery sees experts, traders, and creatives from all over the world meet in Gdansk’s Amber Expo.
This year’s fair will host exhibitors from 13 countries including the US, UK, Germany, and Switzerland as well as the world’s amber capitals in Poland, the Baltic States, and Russia.
The event, which is by invitation only, will also see thousands of jewellery industry visitors from around the world.
It was a nice start to the day this morning but clouding over going into the afternoon with showers and some thunderstorms expected throughout the rest of the day.
Temperatures today struggling to reach 20C, 67F. Remaining cloudy into tomorrow with cool, damp weather set to continue through the week.
Thomas Holdstock/ako
