The 2018 Nobel prize in literature, which wasn’t given out last year, has been awarded to Olga Tokarczuk, a Polish author honoured, to quote the judges „for a narrative imagination that with encyclopaedic passion represents the crossing of boundaries as a form of life.”

Tokarczuk previously won the prestigious Man Booker International prize in 2018 for her novel Flights. She is only the 15th woman ever to win the Nobel prize in literature, ABC News notes, and BBC News writes she’s „considered the leading Polish novelist of her generation.”

Poland’s Economic expected to grow

Poland’s economic growth is expected to reach 4.3 percent in 2019 driven by private consumption and higher investments, the World Bank has said in a report, having revised upwards its April 2019 forecast of 4.0 percent.

„Household consumption, fuelled by expected increases in budgetary expenditures and a tight labour market and rising wages, will continue to grow in Poland,” according to the World Bank Country Manager for Poland and the Baltic States.

He also noted that the  „The two biggest challenges Poland’s economy is facing in the medium term are the shortage of workers resulting from current demographic trends and the rising fiscal burden of the implementation of a range of expansionary policies”.

World War II escape tunnel discovered

History enthusiasts have discovered the longest escape tunnel built by prisoners-of-war during World War II in Poland. Measuring almost 140 metres, it was built by French officers imprisoned at a German camp for prisoners-of-war near Kłomino, 180 kilometres south west of Gdańsk.

According to the First News website, although people knew of the tunnel’s existence, its exact length had not been measured before. The tunnel was thought to be around 117 metres long, but now a Polish team, made up of almost 80 history fans from all over the country, has determined its real length as well as discovering a host of items relating to the camp’s wartime history.

Building to Start on the Vistula Lagoon Shipping Channel.

The Maritime Office in Gdynia has  awarded the contract to build a shipping channel through the Vistula Spit, a peninsular stretch of land, separating the Vistula Lagoon from the Gdansk Bay. The project will see a shipping channel built through the Vistula Spit peninsula, to boost operations at the Port of Elblag. The project includes breakwaters, quays, a channel, lock infrastructure with rotating bridges and sluice gates, buildings and roads, as well as an artificial island.

Financed by the Polish government, the project contract is worth €187m. Works are expected to start late this year and be completed in 2022.

Weather

Today there will be light cloud and a moderate breeze and temperatures will reach 15 degrees centigrade (59 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day, dropping to 9 degrees centigrade (48 degrees Fahrenheit) overnight. There will be chances of showers throughout the day.

Sunday will be a much warmer and sunnier day with temperatures rising to 17 degrees centigrade (63 degrees Fahrenheit) in a gentle breeze.

What’s On

Good Morning, Here’s some highlights of what’s going on today and tomorrow in the Tricity

Well, we mentioned this one yesterday in our what’s on guide, but it’s worth mentioning again –  and that’s the „Dire Straits Symphonic” which brings the worlds of pop and classical music together at the Stary Menaż at 7pm. Two seemingly distant worlds – rock and symphonic music – meet in order to satisfy even the most demanding listeners with their richness and full sound. The Dire Straits Symphonic project was created thanks to work and the involvement of its originators: Krzysztof Herdzin – the author of brilliant orchestral arrangements, Kuba Badach – the vocalist with a unique voice and Marek Napiórkowski – the extraordinary guitarist. Tickets are available from 129 PLN.

If cars are your thing then you probably want to get along to the Amber Expo near the Lechia Gdańsk stadium where the 11th Edition of the 3TM Automotive Fair is running today and tomorrow.  It’s the largest automotive event in Pomerania and is attended by thousands of automotive fans every year. It’s a great opportunity to learn about the latest offers from the automotive industry and have a good time in the company of other enthusiasts and there will even be some players from Lechia Gdańsk attending the event – you might be able to catch a photo or autograph if you’re lucky!

And finally for this weekend the town of Zblewo which is about an hour out of Gdańsk is hosting the International Polish Cup in Gymnastic Fitness for Children and Youth on Sunday at 12 noon. In addition to the competitions, which are very spectacular, there will be shows of children karate and jiu-jitsu. Entry is free.

RGEN/AG