On this date 40 years ago, the so-called “August Agreements” were signed in the BHP hall of the Gdańsk Shipyard, laying the groundwork for the creation of the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union “Solidarity.”
The signing of the landmark August Agreements between striking shipyard workers and the then-communist government paved the way for the establishment of the first independent trade union in the communst Eastern bloc. The “Solidarność” or “Solidarity” movement in Poland went on to become a leading force in the collapse of communist regimes throughout Europe.
In a video published on Saturday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who grew up in formerly communist East Germany, praised the members of Solidarity as “European heroes of freedom,” going on to describe the signing of the August Agreements as a stone that set off an avalanche, ultimately leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Iron Curtain.
In celebration of the historic 40th anniversary of the August Agreements, forty locations around the world will be lit up with Solidarity’s iconic logo and the national colors of Poland. The sites include the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Niagara Falls in the US, Bratislava Castle in Slovakia, and the Széchenyi Chain Bridge in Budapest, Hungary.
For a list of commemorative events here in Gdańsk, look HERE.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, Radio Poland, PAP
Thousands gather to protest Lukashenko on his birthday
For the 22nd day in a row, record numbers of protestors turned out in Minsk demanding that current President Alexander Lukashenko step down amidst accusations of election fraud.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched toward the Presidential Palace in Minsk yesterday, many carrying balloons and traditional red-and-white Belarusian flags and chanting “Happy birthday, you rat.” Some 125 individuals were detained during the protests, according to information provided by the Ministry of Interior.
Lukashenko reportedly spent his 66th birthday secured in the Presidential Palace, which was protected by members of the OMON militia and Belarusian military forces, including armored vehicles and armed soldiers.
In a show of apparent support, Russian President Vladimir Putin called to congratulate Lukashenko and extend an offer for the Belarusian president to visit Moscow, a meeting which is reportedly set to take place “in the coming weeks.”
Source: PAP
Warsaw sewage plant fails again
A failure at the Czajka wastewater treatment plan in Warsaw over the weekend has resulted in untreated waste once again being dumped in the Wisła river.
A similar system failure occurred at the same plant a year ago, resulting in thousands of tons of raw sewage being sent down the Wisła, eventually arriving in Gdańsk. The transmission pipe failure was supposedly fixed last November via the construction of an alternative transmission system at a cost of some EUR 10 million.
According to city officials in Warsaw, work is currently underway to make the facility operational again, and the current discharge poses no threat to the local drinking water supply. SANEPID will be monitoring the situation carefully and issuing updated health advisories to affected communities as the situation progresses.
Source: Radio Poland
“Black Panther” actor passes away
Celebrated film and television actor Chadwick Boseman passed away over the weekend after a long struggle with colon cancer.
Boseman, who rose to superstardom as the lead in the popular Marvel Studios film “Black Panther,’ was well-known for his sensitive and nuanced portrayals of various characters, including Jackie Robinson, the first black baseball player to play in the major leagues.
According to a post on his Instagram account, Boseman passed away at his home in Los Angeles on Friday, surrounded by his wife and family. He was 43.
Source: PAP
Weather
Today will be mostly cloudy with a chance for some light rain and a slight breeze coming in from the north. Temperatures will be on the cooler side with a high of 18°C, or 65°F, and an overnight low of to 13°C or 55°F. There will be a break in the clouds and some sun tomorrow, with rainy weather set to resume midweek.
Thomas Holdstock/ako
