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.
What did Barack Obama say in Poznań during IMPACT?
The culmination of the two-day IMPACT conference was a lecture by former US President Barack Obama. The huge conference hall for several thousand people was filled to the brim, and even so some had to watch the speech on large screens. Obama speaks calmly, slowly, weighing every word, an outstanding diplomat - he even talks about Trump in such a way that one might get the impression that there is something different about them, but probably something in common as well. He speaks interestingly. He began with a nice gesture: he said that Poland and Solidarity were a great inspiration for him when he was young. They gave him faith that changing the vision of the world is possible. The moderator of the debate, Professor Timothy Snyder from Yale University, echoed him. For Obama, the rule of law is an instinct - even a one-year-old child has it, who wants to be treated fairly, i.e. the same as other children. Obama is aware that the post-war world order needs refreshing today. According to Obama, if the US cannot cope with the weakening of democracy, climate change, the crisis of the rule of law and the free market, the world will not cope with them. And then the future of the world does not look good.
His statement radiates calmness. He says that we need to realize where we are and where we want to be. We should not only think about finding ourselves in the desired place right away - such an achievement is always unlikely at the beginning. The goal is to move even a little towards the desired position. In Obama's opinion, this is how we should look at politics. He says that he personally understands Putin - Putin had to watch the fall of the Soviet Union, his empire was falling apart. Obama understands him, but that does not mean that he draws the same conclusions. However, his understanding of Putin was a condition for talking to him, which allowed his administration to reduce nuclear warheads and block Russia's support for Iran. In life and politics, you have to talk, seek compromise and not be afraid to give up your own postulates. After all, 25% of the goal is better than 0%, or maybe we will reach 50%?
Impact gathered several thousand people in Poznań, who bought relatively expensive tickets to listen to representatives of world business, politics and prominent intellectuals. Janusz Głowacki wrote that he knows when the Chopin Competition is held in Warsaw, because then there is always a crowd of Asians heading to the escort agency, which Głowacki saw from the window of his apartment on Bednarska Street in Warsaw. I think that you can't say that about Impact. And how do you know that Impact is in Poznań? By the fact that it smells nice in the morning trams.
Party in Wilda!
This Saturday at Wilda.
" Refresh your wardrobe, talk about ecology and spend time in a neighborly atmosphere - without money, but with an idea for a better world! We invite you to a SWAP PARTY at Wilda " - announce the organizers. "On behalf of the Po-Dzielnia Association, I invite you to the Wilda Swap Day! This is a meeting for everyone (not only from Wilda), during which you can exchange used clothes, accessories and other items that are still in good condition, but are no longer needed " - they add.
The campaign aims to give objects a second life, reduce waste generation and show in practice how to reduce the purchase of new things.
You can bring and exchange: takings, books, shoes, household appliances, records, toys, gadgets and other items - it is important that they are clean, functional and in good condition.
There will also be a Po-Dzielni stand on site, where you can take a small "treasure" with you and talk about ecology and the idea of living without waste. The organizers provide several tables, but participants must organize hangers themselves. Please note - during the event, Po-Dzielni will not accept any items.
The exchange will take place on Saturday, May 24 from 12:00 at the Youth Culture Center No. 1 in Poznań. Admission is free. As noted, at the same time, MDK is also organizing a family festival.
Kejtrowka and "Flying Dogs" return to the Citadel
This coming weekend - 24 and 25 May - in the Cytadela park, dog lovers will find many attractions. Numerous shows, lectures and advice from behaviorists - these are just some of the events prepared as part of the Kejtrówka educational picnic. The event, as every year, will be accompanied by the "Flying Dogs" competition. Admission is free.
- We invite all Poznań residents to the Citadel, but especially dog lovers. During these two days, you will be able to learn many things that will be useful to dog owners. There will also be no shortage of expert advice, lectures and shows. As every year, the "Flying Dogs" competition will certainly attract the audience, especially since the weather is finally supposed to be better than in the first half of May - says Patryk Pawełczak, director of the UMP President's Office.
Kejtrówka is a two-day picnic organized by the City as part of the "Kejter also Poznań" program. The event is intended to raise awareness among residents who are dog owners or plan to acquire one. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the responsibilities of a responsible owner, including the need for vaccinations, microchipping, and cleaning up after your pet.
This year’s edition will take place on May 24 and 25 in the clearing under the Peace Bell at the Citadel from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The program also promotes responsible animal adoption. A special information point of the Poznań shelter will be set up at Kejtrówka.
- At our stand, we will encourage you to update the registration data of Poznań catteries and their owners. You will be able to check whether the dog is properly chipped and whether all the data is up to date - this is important when the animal gets lost. You will be able to submit an application to deregister or change the data - says Katarzyna Frąckowiak, deputy manager of the Animal Shelter in Poznań. - At the stand, you will be able to meet dogs from the shelter. Those who have already been adopted will also visit us. We will also talk about responsible adoption, the whole process and how to prepare your home for a new tenant.
At the municipal guard stand, officers will provide information on, among other things, the rules for using park areas, runs, and cleaning up after your dog. Dog safety guides and waste bags will be handed out.
Animal-friendly foundations will promote their activities and responsible adoption at numerous locations.
The attractions of the event will be demonstrations of dog herding skills carried out by Pasterski Poznań and the work of the guide dog of the Foundation for the Blind "Labrador". Rescue dogs from the Specialist Rescue Group of the Volunteer Fire Department in Poznań will also present themselves. It will be possible to watch, among others, a demonstration of rubble and terrain action and demonstrations of dog sports disciplines.
Many lectures have been prepared for the participants. You will be able to learn about caring for a quadruped from puppy to senior, preparing a dog for the arrival of a child, walking problems or protection from heat. In addition, experts will say: why animals run away, about ABC grooming, quadruped diet, dental problems and oral hygiene.
During the event, there will be numerous quizzes and competitions. You will also be able to use permanent advice points.l In the photo booth, you will be able to have a free photo session with your pet.
For the youngest, the organizers have prepared a children's zone, where animations, games, competitions, face painting and henna tattoos with dog motifs are planned. There will also be a toddler zone (blocks, toys, etc.), a large-format game and a race track. During art workshops, you will be able to make a portrait of your dog, pins of your own design with a four-legged motif or a paper monument of your pet. There will also be jerks made from recycled materials.
The four-legged creatures will once again fly over the Citadel
"Flying Dogs" is a series of events where four-legged athletes present incredible, often acrobatic skills. Spectacular shows can be observed throughout the weekend at the Citadel.
Dogfrisbee is one of the most popular dog sports in the world, and it has a lot of fans in Poland as well. It's not just about retrieving a plastic disc. It's a spectacular sport based on trust, training and a unique relationship between the dog and the handler. In Poznań we'll see both dynamic technical competitions and expressive freestyle shows, in which the quadrupeds perform aerial acrobatics to the rhythm of music.
- Our competition is more than just a sport. It is an expression of friendship between a human and a dog in the form of fun, but with a visible touch of healthy competition - says Dariusz Radomski, the event organizer.
The competition will be attended by teams from all over Poland as well as foreign competitors, and guests of the event will be able to see, among others:
- Freestyle (UpDog, level 1 and 2) - very spectacular freestyle shows with music. One round on Saturday, the second on Sunday - this is the audience's favorite competition,
- ThrowNGo - a dynamic timed points game,
- Frizgility - a combination of frisbee and agility obstacle course,
- Time Warp - a speed strategy game,
- The Quadruped - a cult distance competition, which this year celebrates the 20th anniversary of its debut in Europe and Poland. The first such competition took place in May 2005, first in Belgium and then in Poland.
Polish dog frisbee is at a very high level - representatives regularly reach the highest places at the European and World Championships, and their performances are valued for both technique and creativity. Among the participants will be players who represented Poland three years ago at the USDDN World Dog frisbee Championships - an event that for the first time in history took place in Poznań.
A detailed schedule of the competition can be found on Facebook .
The organizer of the "Flying Dogs" competition is Dogfrisbee.pl. The partner is the City of Poznań.
You can read more about Kejtrówka on the event website.
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