The newly elected head of the European Commission, Ursula von de Leyen, will be in Warsaw today meeting with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, the state Polish Press Agency reports. The visit marks von de Leyen’s second official foreign visit since being confirmed by the EU Parliament earlier this month.
The two leaders are expected to discuss Polish candidates for key European Commission positions, particularly in areas such as economy, free market, energy, budget, and agriculture. “It is important that an office relating to one of these areas be given to Poland,” stressed government spokesman Piotr Müller, “so that our Commissioner can play an important role in the EU.”
The issue of EC portfolios is a particularly contentious one after MEP Beata Szydło was twice rejected for head of the European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee, despite previous agreements to the contrary.
While Morawiecki’s statements acknowledged the need to address divisions between Poland and the EU, he also emphasized the need to “build a bridge to the future” by pursuing common goals, including fair energy transition, climate policy, and the need to foster development of industry and innovation at home.
Blade Runner actor Rutger Hauer passes away at the age of 75
The Dutch actor was most well-known for his role as the replicant Roy Batty in the 1982 cult classic Blade Runner but starred in scores of other films playing everything from romantic leads to action heroes to sinister villains.
In addition to his numerous acting roles, Hauer was an avid environmentalist, educator, activist, and philanthropist. He established the Rutger Hauer Starfish Foundation, an AIDS research foundation focused on helping children and pregnant women with HIV/AIDS, and taught master classes in moviemaking to film students and actors in the Netherlands.
In a tweet, Director Guillermo del Toro memorialized Hauer as “an intense, deep, genuine and magnetic actor that brought truth, power and beauty to his films.” The actor is survived by his partner of 50 years, Ineke ten Cate (TEN KATE) and his daughter, Aysha Hauer.
Oko na Świat or „Window on the World” Cultural Festival opens today
In an effort to help residents “get to know each other” and learn about the diverse cultures present in Trójmiasto, The Baltic Sea Cultural Center is hosting the twelfth annual “Window on the World” Cultural festival.
While primarily focused on music, this year’s festival includes film screenings, artistic, educational, and culinary workshops and tours of the Tatar mosque and New Synagogue in Wrzeszcz with members of the Islamic and Jewish communities.
Beginning tonight and running through Sunday, Oko na Świat will feature concerts by a variety of artists each night at 6pm (on Friday at 5pm) at the Centrum św. Jana in the Gdańsk city center.
Tonight’s musical acts include Ukrainian folk singer Lesja as well as Trójmiasto’s own Africa-inspired Ikenga Drummers band.
Lechia Gdańsk rejoins the Europa League
After a hiatus of nearly 40 years, fans of Polish football can celebrate Lechia’s return to European football at the qualifying match this evening at Energa Stadion Gdańsk. The 2019/2020 UEFA Europa League season kicked off last month with preliminary qualifiers and the first round of playoffs are set to begin in August. Lechia, who hasn’t participated in European competitions since 1983, will face off against Bröndby IF of Copenhagen at 7pm. The tournament final will return to Gdańsk at the end of the season in May 2020.
Two Americans slated to join Arka Gdynia basketball team
Guard forward Leyton Hammonds and defender Benjamin Emelogu have signed contracts to play for Arka Gdynia in the 2019/2020 season. Hammonds, formerly of Oklahoma State University, spent last season playing for the Hungarian team Egis Kormend. Emelogu was previously in contract negotiations with Arka Gdynia, but was not able to play due to issues with his medical documentation last year.
The two 24 year olds will join one of the most successful professional basketball teams in Poland, as evidenced by 9 back-to-back championship wins from 2004-2012. Formerly known as STK Trefl Sopot, the club changed its name in 2018 and returned to European-wide competitions just last year at the 2018-2019 EuropeCup, where the team finished second overall.
