Poland’s defense minister was in Warsaw on Tuesday to pay tribute to soldiers killed in the line of duty while serving Poland abroad.
December 21 marks the official National Day of Remembrance for Soldiers Fallen in Foreign Missions, a commemoration Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak honored during a commemorative ceremony yesterday in the Polish capital.
During his speech, Błaszczak emphasized that Polish troops „have been taking part in various foreign missions” under the auspices of the United Nations, NATO, and the European Union, and „have always been brave and dedicated,” earning “the admiration of our allies.”
He went on to remind Poles that „if we stand together with our allies, then we can count on their support as well.”
Source: Radio Poland, PAP
Poland’s Radosław Kawęcki took the gold in the men’s 200 meters backstroke at the Swimming Short-Course World Championships in Abu Dhabi yesterday.
The 30-year-old Pole touched in at 1:48.68 to win the event, while Shaine Casas of the United States finished second in 1:48.81, and Christian Diener of Germany came in third, clocking a time of 1:48.97.
Kawęcki’s gold marked the first medal for Poland at the 2021 Swimming Short-Course World Championships, which began in Abu Dhabi on December 16 and finished Tuesday, December 21.
Later on Tuesday, Poland’s Katarzyna Wąsick took the bronze in the women’s 50m freestyle on the last day of competition, finishing narrowly behind Sarah Sjöström of Sweden and Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands.
Last month, Poland won eight medals, including two gold, two silver and four bronze, at the European Short-Course Swimming Championships in Kazan, Russia.
Source: Radio Poland, PAP
The Polish government recently purchased 14 drawings by the celebrated Russian-French artist Marc Chagall for the collection of the Muzeum Narodowe in Warsaw.
The purchase includes 14 of Chagall’s late-period color drawings, including Biblically-themed works, according to reports by state-run PAP news agency.
Łukasz Gaweł, the director of the Warsaw museum, hailed the „fantastic” condition of the drawings, some of which date from the 1960s.
The museum’s Anna Manicka told PAP that Polish officials „had to put up a fierce fight” for Chagall’s works at an auction in Switzerland.
„It’s one of the most marvelous purchases for our museum in recent years,” she said. Officials announced that the drawings are set to be put on public display in the spring.
Source: Radio Poland, PAP
A Cape penguin couple at the Gdańsk zoo has successfully hatched four penguin chicks, just in time for the Christmas holidays.
In the wild, the breeding season of the Cape Penguin, also known as the Trun, reaches its peak between September and February. Couples mate for life and announce their union via a trumpeting sound, followed by the need to make a nest.
The Gdańsk zoo is home to over 70 endangered African penguins, who hail originally from the south of Africa and are more commonly known as the Black-footed penguin.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, The First News
On Christmas eve, most major shops, including Biedronka, Lidl, Carrefour, Auchan, Kaufland, and Netto, will close at 13:00 in the afternoon.
Lewiatan and Żabka stores open until 14:00, while Ikea will be closed entirely.
Shoppers are encouraged to finish their Christmas shopping early and keep in mind that protective masks covering the mouth and nose are required in all retail outlets as of December 1, and occupancy is limited to one person per every 15 square meters.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will be cloudy and cold, with a chance for snow throughout the day and a strong breeze coming in from the southwest. Temperatures will remain below freezing with a high of -1°C, or 31°F, dropping overnight to a low of -3°C or 27°F. Tomorrow will remain cold, with a chance for additional snow into the Christmas holiday.
Elizabeth Peck/MarWer
