Editor's Note: These are courtesy translations of local news provided by the U.S. Army Garrison Poland Public Affairs team for the benefit the military community stationed here. Views or opinions are not endorsed by USAG Poland or the U.S. Army.
"Silent Night" will once again be performed in Poznań in various languages.
This year, Christmas caroling will take place on Thursday, December 12th at 6:00 PM at Wolności Square.
During the event, invited guests will perform on the steps of Arkadia: youth and students of Poznań universities, as well as artists, musicians and soloists. Residents can also join in the singing. Well-known and popular Christmas songs will be interspersed with multilingual performances of "Silent Night".
"The idea of the meeting is the same every year: to carry a message of love, joy and brotherhood, and also to make foreigners studying in the capital of Wielkopolska feel that Poznań is an open, tolerant and hospitable city," says Iwona Matuszczak-Szulc, director of the Department of City Development and International Cooperation.
The choice of the song is not accidental. "Silent Night" is a song known almost all over the world, translated into over 300 languages and dialects.
The goats are already dressed for the holidays
The sculptures of the Goats on Kolegiacki Square once again gained festive attire. Children from Kindergarten No. 115 "'Polanie'" were invited to put on the costumes. This is already 21 years of holiday tradition!
On Monday at 11 a.m., children from Kindergarten No. 115 "Polanie" dressed the goats in Santa's jackets and horn warmers. The youngest were helped by: Mariusz Wiśniewski, Deputy Mayor of Poznań, Waldemar Matuszewski, Commander of the City Guard, and city guards.
Dressing up Pyrek and Tyrek is a long-standing tradition. Students from a nearby school first decorated the goats 21 years ago. The idea was picked up by the city guards, who invite children to dress up in holiday costumes every year.
The sculpture refers to the characteristic symbol of Poznań - the billy goats from the town hall tower. The monument was created in 2002 and since then has enjoyed the interest of residents and tourists, who like to photograph it.
Liquid revolution at Ławica airport
Even before the high season begins next year, changes will take place at the Poznań airport that will affect the comfort and speed of passenger service. When passing through security, no one will ask you to remove liquids and electronics from your luggage. You will also not have to take off your shoes - such a convenience will appear at the Poznań airport as the first in Poland.
Passenger traffic has been steadily increasing since the pandemic. Poznań has been breaking new records in passenger traffic - in October, the number of 3 million was exceeded, and in the whole of 2024, another limit should be broken - 3.5 million.
In connection with the increasing number of passengers, the reconstruction of the infrastructure and the introduction of modern devices for screening luggage have been planned for some time, which will increase safety standards and passenger service comfort. This investment has already begun.
The first effects of the multi-stage reconstruction are already
visible. We are currently implementing a multi-dimensional project that aims to improve the comfort and quality of services for our passengers and adapt the airport infrastructure to the growing air traffic and expectations of those traveling from our airport - says Grzegorz Bykowski, president of Poznań-Ławica Airport. - We will soon invite our passengers to completely new catering areas. Thanks to this change, they will have the opportunity to choose much more and spend time in more comfortable conditions before their trip. The modernization of our airport is an investment in the future. We are opening up to new possibilities and doing everything to ensure that every trip starts with us in the best conditions. We are waiting for the next stages of the reconstruction and we hope that the new spaces will pass the test.
The part of the airport that will undergo the biggest transformation will be the Central Security Control Zone.This is the place where, after possibly dropping off larger suitcases, you go with your hand luggage. You then have to remove all liquid cosmetics, electronics and metal items into containers. For passengers, this is often stressful and inconvenient.
After the changes are made, all the above-mentioned items will not have to be removed from the luggage. It will also not be necessary to remove shoes. New scanners - both luggage and people - will appear thanks to the signed contract for the supply of Smiths Detection screening devices and Dimark's baggage transport line.
The Central Security Control Zone will be enlarged in the place where the departure hall is now and turned 90 degrees. In connection with this, the eastern entrance to the airport has already been closed and the shops under the mezzanine are being liquidated. The main entrance to the departures section will be at the height of the Check-in zone. The lines for handling hand luggage will be extended from 12 to 20 meters. 5 passengers will be able to put their luggage out for checking at the same time. Previously, one passenger put things into up to three containers. After the changes were introduced, one will be enough. The speed of scanning the things on them will increase by up to 2.5 times. Today, it is 150 trays per hour.
New scanners will appear, which will enable the potential detection of non-metallic objects, dangerous tools, or weapons. New ETD (Explosives trace detector) devices for detecting explosives in luggage are supposed to "sense" even trace amounts of explosives or chemicals.
The first 4 devices are to appear in February and after installation and testing, they will start working at the beginning of April. In May, all six tapes are to be operational.
Not only will the security control zone change, but also the space both in front of and behind it. Check-in desks will be expanded, including devices for self-checking in baggage. In turn, a so-called multistore with an area of almost 900 square meters will appear behind the control zone. As is the case at most airports, each passenger will have to pass through it, and not enter every store, as is currently the case at Ławica.
The airport's surroundings are also set to change. The parking system, which will house chargers for electric cars, is set to be modernized. It is to be easier and more intuitive. The traffic system is to be rebuilt - a larger entrance and exit are planned. The Kiss&Fly zone is also to be relocated.
All planned investments will cost over PLN 70 million, of which almost PLN 30 million will be EU funding.
Work is also underway to expand the building itself. The decision on whether it will be built on or expanded is to be made next year.
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