events in 2002

Susanne Karlsson, a Swedish student from Chapmanskolan (Karlskrona), stayed in our city between 7th January and 8th February 2002 within Gdynia-Karlskrona co-operation. Miss Karlsson served her apprenticeship in the City Hall of Gdynia and in Gdynia editorial offices of Dziennik Bałtycki, radio station Eska-Nord Radio and TV studio Tele-Top. In the City Hall of Gdynia in the Press Office she got to know the secrets of journalism as well as participated in press conferences. She learned about workshop of press, TV and radio journalism.

Gdynia, Sopot and Gdańsk were invited by Syndicate Mixte of Côte d'Opale to visit Dunkirk, Calais and Boulogne. Tricity representatives visited France between 2nd - 6th March 2002 and participated in a study visit, whose aim was to establish a multilateral cooperation among Tricity agglomeration and cities from Côte d'Opale. Polish and French partners have a great economical, scientific and cultural potential. Mutual experience exchange will enrich the development of both conurbations. Polish delegation met authorities of the 3 cities: Dunkirk, Calais and Boulogne, Commerce-Economic Chamber Representatives and representatives of Université du Litteral Côte d'Opale. The most important objectives of the potential cooperation are: experience exchange referring to the revitalisation of port area, ports management and new technology transfer. This visit was possible thanks to financial support of France-Pologne Foundation.

8th Meeting of the UBC Commission on Sport "Integration of the disabled through sport" took place between 15th - 16th March 2002 in Karlskrona. Representatives of 13 cities from Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland (represented by Gdynia) and Sweden participated in the meeting. Among formal matters the following issues were carried out: 2001 Activity Report for the passing year was presented, new vice-chairman was elected and host-city of the meeting in 2003 was chosen.

Mr Magnus Johansson, a politician from the Commission on Sport from Karlskrona became new vice-chairman. Mr Johansson replaced Mr Bjorn Fries - Karlskrona Deputy Mayor and co-establisher of Commission on Sport. Aalborg in Denmark will be the host of the annual meeting of Commission on Sport next year.

Like every year, Commission on Sport took the patronage and awarded small grants for the sporting events organised in the UBC member cities. Awarding the grants this year Commission on Sport particularly stressed the participation of the disabled in competitions. Out of numerous applicants nine sporting events were offered financial and honorary patronage of Commission on Sport. Gdynia was awarded a grant for European Race.

Sport activity is one of the ways of coming out of disability and integrating with the society. This kind of activity allows the disabled to improve their physical condition, and creates self-assurance as well as self-confidence and gives the feeling of greater independence and freedom. Mrs Beata Wachowiak-Zwara - Mayor of Gdynia's Plenipotentiary on the Disabled presented these important issues in her presentation. Mrs Wachowiak-Zwara briefed the meeting participants on Polish system of municipal welfare and Gdynia's actions within the disabled activation. Mr Thomas Hall from Karlskrona - Leisure Recreation Officer for the Disabled and Mr Lars Hjeltman - the representative of the Swedish Sports Confederation from Stockholm presented the Swedish model of the disabled activation. Swedish welfare system of the disabled has long-term experience and is well developed at the state and local (municipal) level. Activity of Sporting Association for the disabled in Aalborg presented by its chairman Mr Jan Sorensen deserves recognition. Danish Club from Aalborg associates 660 members (children and adults with all kinds of disability) offering over 20 kinds of sporting activities.

Danish, Polish and as well as Swedish experience within the disabled activation, confirmed that through sport disabled people learn how to set goals in their everyday lives, pursue new hobbies, learn how to express their feelings and find new solutions. Sport helps them to become responsible and assertive people.

Manoeuvres of NATO forces - Strong Resolve 2002 were carried out in Poland, Norway and on the Baltic Sea waters in 2002. 25 000 soldiers and seamen from 27 NATO and Partnership for Peace countries participated in the event. More than 1000 vessels from 14 countries, including Poland participated in the maritime part of the manoeuvres. At the end of the manoeuvres Commander of Striking Fleet Atlantic, American Vice-Admiral J. Cutler Dawson paid a courtesy visit in the City Hall of Gdynia, where city authority representatives hosted him.

Meeting of city representatives and delegation representing Office on Europe Affairs and Baltic Sea Land of Schleswig-Holstein took place in the City Hall of Gdynia on 19th March 2002. Participants discussed existing cooperation between Gdynia and Kiel covering realisation of projects in the field of culture, sport and education. Delegation was presented with the course and results of the "Kiel Park" project realisation. Moreover, Schleswig-Holstein Land representatives received information on large net projects co-financed from European Union funds and carried out by Gdynia. City representatives presented proposals of co-operation between five schools from Gdynia and German schools.

3rd Polish-British Conference of Sister Cities was held between 14th - 17th April 2002. This time, City of Sopot co-organised the Conference. 140 participants including 57 guests from Great Britain took part in the meeting.

The objective of the Conference was to strengthen the existing twin links between both countries and for the Polish cities, which did not have a British partner so far, it was a great chance to establish such cooperation. Among others issues connected with Polish and British regional policy, economic cooperation and local management were discussed over during the conference. Another matter discussed the Polish and British experiences connected with European Union issues.

Gdynia's representative presented the results of 26-year-old cooperation between Gdynia and Plymouth. Plymouth representatives also participated in the Conference and had a chance to meet with Gdynia's authorities.

Gdynia and 40 other cities submitted the "Application for Europe Prize" to the Council of Europe in December 2001. Every year this award is granted to one city (exceptionally to two cities) whose actions of propagating the idea of European Unity deserve most recognition. The award consists of Itinerant Trophy given to the winner for a year, bronze medal, parchment letter of congratulation and a scholarship (7600 Euro) for financing a study visit for one or a few young people coming from the awarded city. Europe Prize was established in 1955 and since then it has been presented to 57 European cities, among which there were capitals or big cities such as Vienna, Hague in 1958, Istanbul in 1959, Berlin-Neukölln in 1987, Linz in 1994 or Bologna in 1995. SANKT PÖLTEN (Austria) was the last city, which received the award in September 2001.

The Meeting of the Committee on Environment and Agriculture that functions in the structures of Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly took place in March 2002. The Committee consists of 44 members. A unanimous decision to grant the EUROPE PRIZE to Gdynia in recognition of its active promotion of European integration idea was made at the meeting. The Prize to our city was awarded in recognition of involvement of international relations, mostly for establishment of Baltic Ring of Gdynia Sister Cities. Gdynia's activity in the international organisations, which contributed to the consequent promotion of modern and democratic Europe among the citizens, was also appreciated.

Participants of the 10th Twin Cities Competitions originated the symbolic Twin Cities Avenue on 11th May 2002. The Avenue is located on the junction of Borchardta and Armii Krajowej Street in the Council of Europe Park. It symbolises close contacts between Gdynia and her twin cities. Representatives of Baranovichi, Karlskrona, Kiel, Klaipeda, Kaliningrad and Liepaja participated in the ceremony of Avenue opening. Bp planting symbolic trees, they gave voice to their friendship with Gdynia. The Avenue will be systematically supplemented with trees to symbolise the other cities during their visits to Gdynia.

Mr Leo Ray Eriksen - a world-famous Danish artist visited Gdynia between 26th - 29th May 2002 within the long-term cooperation of Gdynia and its Danish twin city - Aalborg. Mr Eriksen arrived in Gdynia to present his exhibition Human Circus, which was displayed place in Debiut Gallery on 27th-28th May 2002.

The leading theme of the exhibition was a present-day man, his problems and fears. The exhibition consisted of 7 video films, which resembled contemporary video clips or TV advertisements in style. Computer graphic and educational compacts were also exposed at the exhibition. Works form the exhibition can be seen on the following website www.the-human-circus.dk.

In the passing two years Gdynia City Hall, Seattle Gdynia Sister City Association and American Cultural Exchange founded 10 scholarships for a stay in Seattle in US (year 2000: 6 persons, year 2001: 4 persons). Two three-week stays were financed for students from Gdynia's schools in the year 2002, despite the recession in the American economy. Pupils stayed in Seattle from 3rd to 24th August. Scholarship was addressed to students from secondary schools (age: students 17 years old).

The main organiser A.C.E estimated that Gdynia students participating in the former editions of the competition presented high level of English language, much higher than the average level of other course participants. In connection with this A.C.E. proposed that Gdynia students would become programme assistants during their stay (1 week of camp and 2 weeks of language course) this year. It not only gave the students a chance to improve their English but was also the expression of Americans' recognition for the skills of Gdynia's students and was a form of distinction for our city.

Foreign Relations Department in order to appoint 2 pupils organised a competition on 14th May 2002. Fifty-two pupils form Gdynia schools participated in this competition. They had to write a composition (150-200 words) in English on the subject proposed by A.C.E. The Jury of the Competition made an initial selection. As a consequence, ten works were selected and sent to Seattle-Gdynia Sister City Association, whose members chose two winning works.

The 34th Meeting of the Executive Board of the Union of the Baltic Cities took place in Viljandi (Estonia) on 6th - 9th June 2002. At the same time the report meetings of Chairmen and Coordinators of particular Commissions were held. Representatives of 36 cities from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Norway, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Poland and Sweden participated in the meeting.

Delegates from Gdynia initiated and presented the project of Social Campaign "Without Limits" within the activity of Union of the Baltic Cities connected with the Council of Europe announcing the year 2003 - The Year of People With Disabilities. There was a proposition of starting the campaign with a conference in Gdynia on 27th -28th September 2002. UBC Board supported the idea of Social Campaign "Without Limits" and accepted the proposed programme of the Conference in Gdynia. Particular Commissions declared their engagement and offered to dedicate one of the Commission meetings to the disabled problems. A questionnaire prepared by Foreign Relations Department referring to the society and problems of the disabled was sent out to all the UBC member cities. The questionnaire allowed stating in what fields these cities would be able to cooperate with each other.

Programme of the UBC social campaign "Without Limits" included the following issues:
- Distributing the questionnaire in 102 UBC member cities
- Conference in Gdynia on 27th - 28th September 2002
- Working in particular commissions on the branch possibilities of the disabled integration
- Round-up Conference at the end of 2003
- Realisation of programmes of cooperation among particular UBC cities with the financial support of the European Union

The Jubilee, 120th Kieler Woche was organised in Kiel between 22nd - 30th June 2002. This most important summer event was attended by 3 millions of tourists. Kieler Woche most of all is the greatest tall ships' races in the world, called "Wimbledon" of sailing. More than 6000 sailors from 71 countries all over the world participated in this year's Kieler Woche. Polish sailors achieved very good results. Mateusz Kusznierewicz won the first place in the Fin class and Przemysław Miarczyński won the first place in the Mistral class. Tomasz Stańczyk and Tomasz Jakubik were the second in the 470 class. Anna Graczyk won the third place in the women's Mistral class. Races were accompanied by numerous cultural events such as exhibitions, concerts and theatre performances. Many concerts of rock, pop and jazz groups were held on open-air stages.

International Fair at which national stands are presented is organised annually within Kieler Woche. This event has the character of a folk feast. Particular countries presented their craftsmanship, tourist information, music and gastronomy. In 2002 International Fair had a jubilee character since it was organised for the 25th time. Poland for the first time had such a tempting offer. There was even a Polish street during the Fair:
- Gdynia's stand - twin city of Kiel (amber, embroidery, Gdynia's promotion materials)
- Stand of Pomeranian Region (products of craftsmanship, promotion materials of Pomeranian Region)
- Stand of the Polish Tourist Office from Berlin
- Gastronomy
- Stand of Mieczysław Chojnowski - the world champion of confectionery
- Art Gallery of Krystyna Napiórkowska from Warsaw
Moreover, Poland presented music performances of a folk group "Anilana" from Łódź, a group "Caro-Dance" from Siedlce and a group "Dixie Company" from Poznań.

Traditionally an official delegation from Gdynia participated in Kieler Woche. Gdynia was represented by Mrs Ewa Łowkiel - City Board Member and Mrs Ewa Strzyżewska - Member of the Commission on Public Utilities of Gdynia City Council. The delegation among others participated in a welcome ceremony with participation of Mr Norbert Gansel - Mayor of Kiel and city authorities, in a ceremonious opening of Kieler Woche in the presence of invited guests, consular and diplomatic corpse as well as in the solemn meeting on board a Polish vessel ORP "General Kazimierz Pułaski".

Gdynia's representatives also participated in International City Forum, which is organised annually within Kieler Woche. The main topic of this year's forum was: International Comparison of City Statutes - experience, virtues and defects. Representatives of 14 cities from 10 countries participated in the forum. During their stay Gdynia official delegation was accompanied by TV Gdańsk reporters who arrived in Kiel by invitation of Kiel City Hall. Journalists made a reportage from Kieler Woche, which was presented on TVP 3rd channel and Polonia channel.

German-Polish Association in Kiel organised a traditional evening for guests from Poland participating in Kieler Woche. On the occasion of 30th anniversary of the Association's existence, its chairman Mr Manfred Schmidt was presented with a commemorative gift from the City of Gdynia.

A visit of Gdynia citizens (46 persons) to Kiel was organised during Kieler Woche between 28th June and 1st July 2002. It was held within citizens' exchange programme realised since 1995. Gdynia citizens stayed at their German hosts' and participated with them in the programme prepared by Kiel City Hall.

During their stay Gdynia's citizens had a chance to watch a tall ships' parade from the board of a Germany Navy ship. 120 tall ships' from several countries participated in the parade opened by a German training tall ship Gorch Fock.

A solemn welcome of citizens by Kiel's authorities was held on 30th June 2002 in the City Hall. Mr Eckehard Raupach - Kiel Counsellor, welcomed the citizens of Gdynia. Mr Raupach presented our city with a commemorative plaque from Kieler Woche. Mrs Irena Piotrowska - Gdynia Counsellor of Commission on Education spoke on behalf of Gdynia and its inhabitants. Mrs Teresa Kruła from Ambart Firm gave a gift (a composition of glass and amber) for Kiel from Gdynia, who exhibited her products on Gdynia's stand during Kieler Woche In the evening Gdynia and Kiel citizens participated in the farewell meeting organised by Kiel City Hall on the board Hanse-Kogge. They had a chance to watch the fireworks show ending Kieler Woche - one of the most spectacular in Europe.

The UBC Conference "Without Limits" took place in Gdynia between 27th - 28th September 2002. The conference inaugurated UBC Social Campaign "Without Limits" for the benefit of the disabled. In the light of the prior survey on the situation of the disabled, conducted in member cities, as well as municipalities' demand for these issues, the conference presented Swedish experience of disability policy planning at local level known as Agenda 22, an official view of the EU on the disabled as well as examples of specific projects realized by a nongovernmental sector, e.g. Polish Association of the Friends of "Integration" and Polish Association of Persons with Mental Handicap, Branch in Gdynia. Among projects which met with great interest there were psychological ones Cover and Harmony drawn up by J. Szulkowska, Ph. D. (Gdynia, Poland) which presented ways of coming out of the disability as well as the project showing the place of people with disabilities in e-society, characterised by K. Kikkas, Ph. D. (Tallinn, Estonia).

During the conference, Gdynia, as the first Polish municipality, accepted the document Agenda 22 - Disability Policy Planning Instructions for Local Authorities that was prepared by The Swedish Co-operative Body of Organisations of Disabled People. Agenda 22, written on the basis of 22 Standard Rules of UN General Assembly, is a guide for self-governments, which facilitates local disability policy planning.

Approximately 100 persons participated in the conference. Twin cities, UBC member representatives as well as representatives of Polish institutions and organisations dealing with the problems of the disabled were present at the conference.

The opening of the exhibition Bounded by Earth, Unfettered in Spirit by Ireneusz Beltewicz - an artist paining with mouth took place on 28th September 2002 in Nadmorski Hotel. It was the artistic inauguration of UBC Social Campaign "Without Limits". Drawing with pen and painting in pastel and oil paint are the main techniques applied by an artist. He pours ink on the paper and drains it off or applies ink in the shape of tiny dots. The topic of his works, which are metaphors of man and his fate, are most often people, birds and trees. When the artist talks about a human being, he uses an image of a man with wings. Birds are another frequent topic of his works. They are as if enlivened creatures struggling with helplessness. Trees are a symbol of fight with gravity, a conjunction between the sky and the earth, a conjunction between people and sky-residents. Exhibition gathered numerous audience and enjoyed big popularity. Paintings were exhibited between 28th September - 14th October 2002

Solemn celebration of presenting Gdynia with Europe Prize was held on 28th September in the Music Theatre in Gdynia. Europe Prize which consists of: an Itinerant Trophy, a bronze medal, a parchment letter of congratulations and a cheque were presented to Gdynia authorities by the representatives of the Council of Europe. The representatives of City of St Pölten - a city that received the award a year ago, were also present at the ceremony. Delegates from twin cities: Aalborg, Kiel, Klaipeda, Karlskrona, Kristiansand and Seattle were among the invited guests. The citizens of Gdynia arrived in crowds. The concert of Polish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Wojciech Rajski and a piano concert of Leszek Możdżer added splendour to the ceremony.

Representatives of twin cities: Aalborg, Kristiansand and Seattle as well as the representatives of Council of Europe planted trees in Twin Cities Avenue on 29th September 2002 within the Celebration of presenting Gdynia with the Europe Prize. We would like to remind that Gdynia authorities initiated the Avenue in May 2002 during the 10th Twin Cities Sporting Competition. Representative of Baranovichi, Karlskrona, Kiel, Klaipeda, Kaliningrad and Liepaja participated in solemn opening of the Avenue.

A benefit concert of an American piano player Katherine Griffin took place in Hotel Nadmorski on 29th September 2002 within a co-operation with Seattle - our sister city. The concert was organised in favour of the Orphanage in Gdynia Demptowo. The artist in her repertoire included works of Chopin, own compositions and popular music standards. The concert was recorded live on CDs.

Teachers from Romanian schools from cities of Cluj, Dej and Turda as well as superintendent of schools visited our city between 8th - 12th September 2002. The host of their stay was the Complex of Schools no 14 in Gdynia. The main objective of their visit was to get acquainted with Polish system of education and establish cooperation within European Union programme Socrates Commenius. The delegation paid their visit to Gdynia City Hall. During their visit guests had a chance to listen to a presentation on Gdynia and discuss educational system in Poland and Romania.

Representatives of Gdynia participated in an international conference “Sail Training International" was held in Antwerp (Belgium) from 15th to 17th of November 2002. The main topics of the conference were sailing issues, in particular the organization of races CUTTY SARK TALL SHIPS’ RACES, that will take place next year, also in Gdynia (from 19th till 22nd of July 2003).

During the conference four ports organizing the races in 2003, that is: Gdynia, Turku, Riga and Lubeck-Travemunde made a computer presentation of the next year’s event. Apart from the route and the dates of the races, each of the cities presented their port offer for the fleet as well as their proposals of cultural and sports.

During the conference, the organizers gave at disposal of Gdynia, Turku, Riga and Lubeck-Travemunde a stand, so that the four cities could promote the next year’s event. Apart from joint invitations and applications for the vessel captains, promotional materials of each of the cities (and Gdynia among them) were available on the stand. The stand was extremely popular among the conference participants.

From 16th to 21st of November 2002 the delegation of the Opal Coast from France (Boulogne, Calais and Dunkirk) stayed in Tricity. The stay of the delegation was a revisit, the aim of which was to initiate cooperation with the Tricity institutions and to discuss the possibility of implementation of joint projects.

The hosts of the November visit of French delegation to Tri-city were City Halls of Gdynia, Gdansk and Sopot.

The delegation attended the meetings with the representatives of Gdynia institutions on 18th November. On that day, they met, among others: representatives of Gdynia City Hall (selected departments), the Board of Maritime Port Gdynia (joint-stock company), Dalmor and Polish-French Friendship Association. At the meeting in Gdynia City Hall the delegation met also the representatives from Gdynia Centre of Non-Governmental Organizations, 2nd Complex of Comprehensive Schools, Jesuit Grammar School and High School, High School No. 6 and Department of Biology, Geography and Oceanography of the University of Gdansk.

As a result of the meetings the representatives of both French and Polish side decided that a programme of intermunicipal cooperation needed to be prepared, especially in the fields of city management, development of ports, economic development, sustainable development and environmental protection, tourism, education, culture and sport. The cooperation would involve realization of common projects, cultural exchanges and exchanges of citizens, organization of seminars, conferences, study visits and exchange of experiences. The above mentioned venture is planned to be realized from the funds of European Union.

From 27 to 29 November 2002 a group of officers from the Budget Department of Gdynia City Hall participated in a study visit to Kiel City Hall. The officials from Gdynia met the head of Kiel Budget and Income Department and the other officers of the above mentioned unit. The objective of the visit was the exchange of experience in the field of city budget planning and budget reports. Moreover, the rules of city budget planning being in accordance with the European Union regulations were presented to Gdynia officers.

From 16th to 17th December 2002 a training entitled: “Safe Life" was held in Gdynia City Hall. The training was addressed to the teachers of elementary education. It was organised in co-operation with the Swedish Civil Defence League and the Headquarters of National Fire-Brigade in Warsaw. During the training teachers from Gdynia Primary Schools learned how to teach children rules of safe behaviour in difficult situations, for example what to do if they stay alone at home or get lost in the forest. Additionally, each of teachers received a set of materials for their pupils. This training initiated in Gdynia a big preventive programme “Safe life" which is to be realised during the school year 2003/2004 in educational institutions of Gdynia.