Polish President Andrzej Duda stated in an interview in New York yesterday that Poland is committed to helping Ukraine fight Russia’s invasion but needs to protect the interests of Polish farmers by banning the import of Ukrainian grain.
The Polish president, who is currently in the United States attending a series of United Nations meetings, told Polish state broadcaster TVP Info that “Polish authorities must above all protect Polish interests.”
Over the weekend, the Polish government enacted an embargo on the import of several agricultural products from Ukraine, including wheat, corn, rapeseed, and sunflower, a move which was quickly followed by Slovakia and Hungary.
Asked about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent remarks to the UN General Assembly, in which the Ukrainian leader suggested that “some in Europe” were “making a thriller from the grain” issue, Duda stated that Zelensky’s comments at the UN had „gone too far,” emphasizing that “Ukraine has received a lot of assistance and support from allies and neighbors.”
In the interview, Duda told TVP Info that “Poland wants Ukraine to survive” and had already provided Kyiv with 300 tanks and 100 armored personnel carriers, as well as Polish-made Krab gun howitzers. Duda explained that while such assistance has been “enormous, when it comes to the issue of grain, the interests of our farmers are at stake” and “Polish authorities have a duty to guard the interests of Polish farmers and guard the interests of Poland.”
Duda went on to stress that the transit of Ukrainian grain through Poland was still allowed, and “as a result, this grain is being shipped to the world.”
Today is day 575 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Source: Polskie Radio
The Polish government has donated 300 apple trees to the city of New York in a goodwill gesture meant to celebrate centuries of ties between Poland and the United States.
The ceremony gifting the flowering trees was held on Monday at New York’s historic Carlyle Hotel as part of a collaborative initiative by the state-run State of Poland Foundation, the Polish Consulate in New York, and NYC’s “Tree Time” program.
Polish President Andrzej Duda lent his support to the event, where Polish officials like Consul General Adrian Kubicki celebrated at the “Jabłonki” gala alongside Hollywood actors Scott Foley and Patrick Wilson.
During Monday’s ceremony, 17 of the apple trees were named after Poles and Americans who had made a particular contribution to Polish-American heritage and friendship, including Polish independence heroes Tadeusz Kosciuszko and Casimir Pulaski, as well as former US President Ronald Reagan.
The trees will reportedly be planted throughout New York City, colloquially known as “The Big Apple,” as part of the project.
Source: Polskie Radio, stateofpoland.pl
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced yesterday that the Polish government would prolong the existing mortgage moratorium but include additional criteria for income.
In an interview with Polsat News on Wednesday, Morawiecki said the moratorium is designed to help borrowers cope with rising interest rates, but the government “will apply income criteria, as we do not want those who are more affluent… and can afford the repayments to benefit.”
He went on to say he had recommended developing income criteria that “will be fair and help Polish families.”
In July 2022, Poland passed a law allowing PLN mortgage borrowers to apply for a “mortgage moratorium” for four months in 2022 and another four months in 2023, irrespective of income. During such mortgage “vacation” months, clients are exempt from both capital repayments and the cost of interest.
Source: PAP
In addition to film screenings, the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia also offers visitors the chance to view the work of renowned Polish graphic artist Andrzej Pągowski.
The exhibition features newly designed posters for films by renowned Polish director Janusz Morgenstern, including posters for the film “Goodbye, See You Tomorrow (Do widzenia, do jutra)” a film set and filmed in Trójmiasto, and the spy thriller series “More Than Life at Stake (Stawka większa niż życie).”
Pągowski is a renowned Polish graphic artist known for his iconic film poster designs, album covers, book illustrations, and set designs for music videos, theater, and television.
In addition to receiving the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, one of the highest civilian honors in Poland, Pągowski’s work is also included in the collections of renowned art museums in Poland and abroad, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.
The exhibition of Pągowski’s work can be viewed until the end of the festival on Saturday, September 23, at the New Stage in the Musical Theater in Gdynia. A full interview with Andrzej Pągowski (in Polish) is also available here
Source: Radio Gdańsk, Polskie Radio
Weather
Today will be mostly sunny, with very little chance of rain and a light breeze from the southeast. Temperatures will stay on the warm side, with an afternoon high of 27°C or 80°F, dropping to a low of 15°C or 59°F overnight. Slightly cooler weather is expected tomorrow, with a chance for some rain starting in the late afternoon.
Elizabeth Peck
