Last night the world welcomed a new decade, it’s officially the 20s. All over the planet cities and towns, families and friends celebrated the new year in their own way. Here in Gdansk, a host of concerts and parties all over the city brought locals and visitors together for „Sylwester”, the Polish name for New Year’s Eve.
But perhaps the city’s most unusual of the nights celebrations was not of New Year’s Eve at all, but rather a birthday. The birthday not of a person, but a building.
Last night the skyscraper in the district of Wrzeszcz, nicknamed „The Dollar Bill” by locals, turned 50.
The blue and white tower divides opinions on its looks, but is undeniably one of the most characteristic buildings in the city.
Last night as Europe was ringing in the New Year, a small group of enthusiasts sang the building the Polish version of 'Happy Birthday’.
Elsewhere in Poland, state broadcaster TVP celebrated with a massive open air event in mountain resort of Zakopane, featuring some of Poland’s most popular musicians.
Meanwhile, private broadcaster TVN celebrated in Warsaw, which saw the city’s annual fireworks display.
New Air Route to USA Announced
A new air route between Warsaw and Washington DC is to be opened this year.
LOT Polish Airlines will operate three flights per week from Warsaw’s Chopin airport using their new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
The route, which opens in June, is expected to be popular after the US dropped visa requirements for Poles traveling to the United States.
It comes after the airline announced record passenger numbers in 2019. Last year, LOT carried over 10 million passengers for the first time in its history.
Back in 2015, the airline carried less than half that.
Looking Ahead to 2020
And 2020 is set to be a big year, with the Uefa cup final coming to Gdansk in May, as well as the upcoming Polish presidential election, with campaigning likely to start in the coming weeks.
Internationally, the UK is set to finally leave the EU at the end of this month, nearly four years after the Brexit referendum.
We can also expect the trial of President Donald Trump following his impeachment in December.
Later in the year, the world will turn once again to the US as the 2020 presidential election reaches its climax, when Americans will decide whether or not to give President Trump a second term.
Weather
A mostly cloudy New Year’s Day with temperatures reaching 4°C, 39°F, but feeling colder with a strong breeze coming in from the east.
There’s also a good chance of some fog overnight, and into tomorrow morning.
From all at RGEN News, a Peaceful and Safe New Year’s Day.
RGEN
