Leaders of both countries are in agreement regarding Ukrainain territorial integrity and the importance of regional collaboration in the EU. At a joint press conference yesterday in Warsaw, the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, along with the newly elected President of Slovakia, Zuzana Čaputová, confirmed their countries’ support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and efforts to further integrate Ukraine within the European and trans-Atlantic spheres.

– We both believe that it is necessary to support Ukraine in its efforts to reach stability, full sovereignty, and full independence, namely to end the ongoing conflict in Donbas, Lugansk, and Crimea – Duda stated, going on to emphasize the importance of Ukraine’s continued efforts toward reform and steps toward European integration. [It] is important for Ukraine to get closer to the EU countries and the trans-Atlantic community in this respect.

In addition to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, the two leaders discussed bilateral and regional cooperation and collaboration on topics including security, climate, environmental protection efforts, and judicial administration. President Duda was particularly keen on encouraging Slovakia’s active involvement in the Three Seas Initiative, a joint project initiated by Poland and Croatia to strengthen trade, energy, infrastructure and political cooperation between the twelve countries bordering the Baltic, Adriatic, and Black seas.

– I believe it is a good project…for Central Europe, and that it will bring our countries closer – Duda stated.

Poland becoming a popular destination for expats

According to the HSBC’s 2019 Expat Explorer Survey, Poland is increasingly becoming a popular business destination due to its growing economy and workforce. From 2018 to 2019, Poland’s ranking among expats leapt from 25th to 13th in the survey placing it on par with Ireland, and above France, Sweden, the UK, and even the United States. According to the report, „amongst millennials, Poland…fares well with over half (56%) of expats moving there to accelerate their career and two-thirds (67%) saying they have a much-improved work-life balance.” Described as a „cultural gem in the heart of Europe,” the survey highlights Poland’s „strategic location for trade, its relatively low cost of living, breathtaking scenery and rich history” which all „come together to make this central European nation an attractive prospect for expats.” The 2019 Expat Explorer Survey, available online at here is a global survey completed by over 18,000 expats around the world, with research conducted online by YouGov in March and April 2019.

Hundreds of youth to compete in World Sailing Championships

Over 400 sailors from 66 nations will meet in Gdynia this week for the 49th edition of the Hempel Youth Sailing World Championships. The festival started with a beach party on Sunday and a symbolic „mixing of the waters” ceremony in which each nation brought a flask of water from their home country to signify sportsmanship, team spirit, and unity. 
Speaking at the opening ceremony, World Sailing President Kim Andersen celebrated Gdynia’s „long regatta history. It is perfect for sailing…and I know as a venue will showcase youth sailing at its very best.” The event is open to sailors aged 19 and under and features nine events including the Boy’s and Girl’s divisions of the 29er, 420, RS:X and Laser Radial as well as the Mixed Multihull and the Nacra 15 events.

A young and relatively inexperienced Polish team will race in every class in the competition; of the 14 members of the team, only Oskar Niemira of Gdańsk has previous experience competing in the Youth Worlds. Oskar, aged 17, and his 15-year-old sister Maja, are hoping to use their home-field advantage to secure a podium finish in their respective events this year. All bets are off on who will take home the Nations Trophy, an award given annually to the top performing nation at the Youth Worlds. Last year’s event, held in Corpus Christi, Texas, was won by Italy, though France has taken the trophy home a record 11 times and hopes to do so again.

Despite their lack of experience, Poland started off well Monday evening with a third place finish in the Boys Laser Radial event, just behind the USA and Finland. Additional races will be announced throughout the week, culminating in a final race on Friday the 19th. For more information, visit HERE or follow posts on social media under #YouthWorlds19.

A Little (Tuesday) Night Music and More: Events around Trójmiasto

If sailing doesn’t float your boat, check out some of the award-winning films and classical concerts around town. If you enjoy cinema under the stars and have passable Russian or Polish, Kino Letnie w Orłowie will be playing the award-winning Russian film Lato (Summer) which recreates the underground rock music scene in Leningrad (modern day Saint Petersburg) in 1981. The film, by Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov, is inspired by the real-life stories of Russian rock legends Mike Naumenko of Zoopark and Viktor Tsoi of the rock band Kino. The film begins at 9:30 PM on the beach near Orłowo Pier and tickets are 12 złotych.

If you want to brush up on your Italian, check out 100cznia’s outdoor screening of Dogman, an Italian crime drama whose lead actor nabbed the Best Actor award at last year’s Cannes film festival. The film, which features a dog groomer turned cocaine dealer, is inspired by actual events, and was selected as Italy’s entry for Best Foreign Language Film for the 2018 Academy Awards. The fun begins at 9:30pm at 100cznia and entrance is free. For more information, visit HERE.

For those of you looking for more musical fare, tonight and Friday night will feature classical organ performances with works by Bach and Handel as part of the 62nd Annual International Festival of Organ Music (MFMO) in Oliwa. Virtuoso organists of various nationalities and ages will be performing a diverse repertoire of musical periods and styles, as well as premieres of several new compositions. Concerts begin promptly at 8pm in Oliwa Cathedral. Tickets range from 15 to 25 zloty and can be purchased at the concert. For more information visit the Filharmonia Bałtycka website.

And last but not least, the works of Poland’s very own virtuoso, Fryderyk Chopin, can be heard throughout the week at the Filharmonia Bałtycka as part of the “Chopin on the Motława” series. Beginning every night at 8:30pm, concertgoers can enjoy a different selection of Chopin in the foyer of the Philharmonic building while gazing across the idyllic Motława river. Tonight’s concert will feature Gdańsk native, Daniel Ziomki; tickets range from 14-20 zlotych and can be purchased online or at the venue. Please visit HERE for more details.

RGEN/EP