A Deutsche Grammophon recording featuring two Polish singers has received a nomination for next year’s Grammy award in the Best Opera Recording category.
The live recording of a 2018 production of Richard Wagner’s Lohengrin features Polish tenor Piotr Beczała in the title role and baritone Tomasz Konieczny as Friedrich of Telramund.
For Beczała and Konieczny, the production of Lohengrin at the Bayreuth Festival marked a debut appearance at one of the world’s most prestigious opera venues.
The Grammy for Best Opera Recording goes to the conductor, the leading soloists and the producer.
The 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled for January 26th
Poles Predicted to Spend More on Christmas This Year
Poles plan to spend 5 percent more on Christmas this year than last, according to a survey out this week.
The study by consulting firm Deloitte found that the average Polish consumer plans to splash out PLN 1,521 (EUR 354, USD 392) on gifts, food and family gatherings this Christmas.
The survey also found that Poles will spend slightly more on gifts than on food, 36 percent vs. 34 percent of the total.
Only a quarter of respondents said they would buy Christmas presents in November, while 38 percent said they would do so in the first half of December.
City Council to tackle blight of abandoned e-scooters for hire
Gdańsk city councillors are taking to task the irresponsible parking of the ever-growing number of electric scooters in the city and appealed to the mayor for help. Scooters left on pavements and in traffic lanes are dangerous for pedestrians and traffic alike and have been reported to authorities by exasperated residents of the city.
The councillors have urged the City of Gdańsk to act to enforce the correct parking from companies that rent out their scooters.
Some of the solutions suggested include encouraging rental companies to allow registered users to take the scooters and charge them at home or giving reduced rental charges when users park the scooters in designated areas.
Scooter users are reminded that scooters should always be parked properly to avoid situations that can lead to injury or accidents.
State of the Art Cardiovascular Centre Opened at Gdańsk Medical University
In an exciting medical developments in the city, a new Cardiovascular Simulation Centre has opened at the Medical University of Gdańsk.
Just as airline pilots practice in a flight simulator, so too future cardiologists will train in the new cardiovascular simulator.
Until now, no university in Poland has trained cardiologists on simulators as training has been based on patients.
The simulator will allow students to safely accelerate their learning of different kinds of procedures.
A spokesperson said, „This is a revolution in the training of cardiologists. These simulators will serve not only those who want to become cardiologists, but also cardiologists who perform procedures daily to maintain and improve their skills”.
The cost of the entire project, which also includes training, was PLN 10 million.
The Weather
Today it is going to be sunny but cold with a moderate breeze. Temperatures will only reach 2 degrees centigrade (36 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day, and 0 degrees centigrade (32 degrees Fahrenheit) overnight.
It will cloud over on Sunday and remain cold with a gentle breeze.
What’s On
RGEN newscaster Martin Caren’s secret to overcoming the November blues.
First up this weekend is the Nordic Focus festival which is being held throughout the weekend at various locations in the Tricity. For three days without leaving the country, we will be able to feel the refreshing breeze of Scandinavian culture and delve into the philosophy of life of people living in the Nordic countries. Events include workshops on how to life a zero-waste life, discussions and film previews, concerts and much more.
Tomorrow in Zaspa park from 9am to 3pm, park games orienteering will be held. Park Games in the form of a walking or orienteering run are recreational and sporting events in individual districts of the Tri-City, which aim to promote active leisure, explore interesting places (mainly parks and forest areas), play together outdoors and promote competition with a map. Colorful maps were prepared for the participants, four interesting routes to choose from at various levels of difficulty and warm tea. At the finish line everyone will receive a commemorative medal.
And finally, every weekend from now until Christmas, the delightful Christmas market is taking place at the Targ Węglowy (or Coal Market) near the old town in Gdańsk. Every year there are new attractions at the fair and this time round it’s a beautiful, two-level Gdańsk Carousel and the Food Court. Stalls offer a huge variety of decorations and treats galore, woolen scarves and socks, handmade jewelry, children’s toys, mulled wine, hot cider and steaming portions of Polish food. Not to be missed on these dreary winter weekends!
- R.G.E.N. /MC
