events in 2007

Gdynia has been a member of the Communes’ Association of the Republic of Poland of the Euroregion Baltic since 1998. The association is a party of Euroregion Baltic which encompasses two voivodships of Northern Poland – Pomorskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodship; Blekinge, Kalmar and Kronoberg regions in South-Eastern Sweden; Bornholm County in Denmark; Kaliningrad District in Russia, Kurland Planning Region in Latvia as well as Klaipeda and Klajpeda Region in Lithuania. The main tasks of the Euroregion consist among others in finding solutions to problems concerning development of the region and cross-border cooperation in the fields of road infrastructure development, modernisation and building of border crossings, elimination of threats and natural disasters, technology transfer, professional trainings, counteracting unemployment and creating a comprehensive system of economic, tourist and cultural information. Being a member of the Euroregion, the City of Gdynia has its representative in the authorities of the Polish side of the Euroregion Baltic, namely Ms Joanna Zielińska. She is a Vice-Chairperson of Gdynia City Council and from December 2002 to March 2007 performed the function of the Board Vice-Chairperson of Communes’ Association of the Republic of Poland of Euroregion Baltic. In March 2007 she was elected Chairperson of the Board of this Association for the term of office 2007-2013.

Between 19th and 21st April 2007 the annual meeting of the UBC Commission on Sport entitled “Sport – a Healthy Alternative” took place in Karlskrona (Sweden). Delegates from 7 UBC member countries participated in it, that is Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, Poland and Sweden. The meeting was devoted to the promotion of active recreation as a way of counteracting different addictions. The representatives of Karlskrona (including Government Drug Coordinator) presented methods for prevention of unhealthy lifestyle and addition for example to drugs or doping. In the second part of the meeting speakers from Turku (Finland) as well as Karlskrona presented effective methods for healthy lifestyle promotion. Apart from that, the participants in the meeting had an opportunity to experience healthy lifestyle promotion in practice by visiting two sports arenas: Karlskrona Indoor Athletic Arena and Telenor Arena Karlskrona. In addition, during the meeting Ms Beata Łęgowska, Gdynia City Councillor, was reelected as Chairperson of the UBC Commission on Sport. The representative of Karlskrona, Ms Camilla Brunsberg, was elected Vice-Chairperson. In the course of the meeting the procedure of “Always Active” grant allocation was also presented. It was the aim of the 2007 grant session to support projects encouraging elderly people to maintain good physical condition and promote sport as a means of illness prevention. Grants awarded by the UBC Commission on Sport are addressed exclusively to UBC member cities.

Between 7th and 10th May 2007 a group of Danish drivers of public buses from our twin city of Aalborg came to Gdynia on a study visit. The guests wanted to get acquainted with the functioning rules of public transport in Gdynia and the specific character of bus driver’s work. In order to achieve this aim, the guests met the representatives of Gdynia Public Transport Authority. During the meeting there were presented organizational and financial rules of collective transport in our city. Aalborg representatives paid also study visits to two carrier companies – Public Transport Company as well as Trolleybus Transport Company. In the course of the visits the guests got familiar with the functioning principles of the companies. They were also showed around the “Kacze Buki” bus depot, a bus service station as well as a new trolleybus depot in Grabówek District.

Between 9th and 12th May 2007 the 15th Twin Cities Sporting Competition took place in Gdynia. Around 250 participants from Gdynia and its 6 twin cities of Baranovichi, Kaliningrad, Karlskrona, Kiel, Klaipeda and Liepaja took part in this event. The competition comprised 4 disciplines: handball, basketball, table tennis and shooting. On 10th May 2007 Ms Ewa Łowkiel, Deputy Mayor of Gdynia declared the Competition open during a solemn opening ceremony in the hall of Gdynia Sports Centre. On the same day a meeting of sister cities’ representatives and Gdynia city authorities was held in Gdynia City Hall, during which there were discussed possibilities of realisation of sports projects and initiatives. The official Closing Ceremony of the 15th Twin Cities Sporting Competition took place on 12th May 2007 during the European Running Race. It was the city of Kaliningrad which won the first position in the general classification before Gdynia and Klaipeda.

In 2007 the Ambassadors and representatives of the Embassies of Romania, Ireland, USA, Great Britain, Australia, Slovakia as well as Consuls General of China and Belorussia paid courtesy visits to Gdynia City Hall. During the meetings with city authorities the representatives of diplomatic corps discussed the cooperation they have had with Gdynia so far as well as possibilities of realisation of future initiatives.

Between 14th and 17th June 2007 an Irish Naval Vessel “L.E. Aisling”, which paid a courtesy visit to Gdynia, berthed at the President’s Quay. It was the first ever visit of an Irish Naval vessel to our country and it was organized by the Embassy of Ireland in Poland.  The programme of the visit included both meetings of the vessel’s captain and the Ambassador of Ireland with city authorities, Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Navy and the President of Port of Gdynia Authority and a meeting of the Polish and Irish businessmen, as well as promotion of Ireland and its culture in Poland. On 15th June 2007 the representatives of the Pomeranian Development Agency as well as city and regional authorities introduced the Irish business representatives to the possibilities of foreign investments in our region. On 14th, 15th and 16th June 2007 the vessel was open to public. On Saturday of 16th June 2007 the performances of music group “Duan” and dance group “Elphin” took place on Kościuszki Square. The groups presented Irish music and dances. The concert was combined with a presentation of Irish culture and tourist offer. On the same day, on the stadium of Gdynia Sports Centre a football match was held between teams of the Polish and Irish Navy.

Between 15th and 17th June 2007 the Gdynia Song and Dance Group paid a visit to Liepaja, a sister city of Gdynia, and took part in the International Folk Festival Saula pina vainadzinu. The Festival was aimed at presenting different regional cultures of Liepaja’s twin cities. Apart from the group from Gdynia there were also song and dance companies and choirs from Belorussia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia and Sweden. During the first day of the Festival each group presented on stage one piece of music. The Gdynia group chose one of the best known Kashubian songs – Kaszëbsczé jezora. On the second day of the Festival Gdynia presented among others the works of Jan Trepczyk as well as a song called Gdynia and me by Adolf Adam Wiktorski. An evening performance in the Liepaja summer theatre was another item on that day’s agenda. In literal translation the name of the Festival meant the Sun plaits a garland as a Slavonic solar deity named Kupała was the patron of the main concert. It was in a way an introduction to the Midsummer Night falling the following week. Each group’s performance was preceded by a short preliminary during which the customs connected with the year’s shortest night were introduced. The Gdynia group presented a medley of national fishermen’s songs. At the end of the performance, the representatives of all groups were honoured by the organisers with commemorative diplomas and garlands plaited by children of Liepaja.

Between 16th and 24th June 2007 in Kiel (Germany) there was organised an international event called “Kieler Woche” (Kiel Week). This most important summer event in Germany is each year frequented by around 3.5 million tourists. In 2007 the “Kieler Woche” was organised for the 125th time. The “Kieler Woche” is, first and foremost, a famous regatta accompanied by numerous cultural events in the form of exhibitions, concerts and theatrical performances. Performances of music groups take place in the open air. The programme of the “Kieler Woche 2007” included in all 1,500 events. Each year an “International Market” is organised within the “Kieler Woche”, where there are presented national stands. Individual countries present among others craftworks, music characteristic of their region, provide visitors with tourist information and present promotional materials. Thirty countries participated in the 30th International Market in 2007. The stand of Gdynia was one of the elements of the Polish representation. On the stand there were presented promotional and informational materials of Gdynia and the Pomeranian Region as well as amber and handicraft goods from the Kashubian Region. In the Polish offer there were also musical performances. Waldemar Malicki (“A tongue in cheek look at the classics”), one of the most versatile Polish pianists – a soloist, chamber musician and improviser performed on the main stage in front of the Kiel City Hall. It was also dance group “Fix” (show-dance, hip-hop, disco) that represented Poland. An International Cities’ Forum was held during the “Kieler Woche”. The subject of the Forum was: “Cross Border Economic Cooperation in the Baltic and North Seas – future potential and possible EU funding”. During the “Kieler Woche” the Kiel branch of the German-Polish Association celebrated the 35th anniversary of its existence. On this occasion a solemn meeting was held, during which the history of Association’s activity was presented in the official part, and the representatives of Kiel authorities as well as diplomatic corps of the Polish General Consulate in Hamburg made occasional speeches. The representative of Gdynia handed over a congratulatory letter from the Mayor of Gdynia and an album about Gdynia to the German-Polish Association Chairman.

On 28th June 2007 a reception on the occasion of United States’ Independence Day was held onboard the vessel USS Mahan berthing at the French Pier in Gdynia.  The event was organised by the U.S. Embassy in Poland in cooperation with Gdynia City Hall. The Ambassador of the United States to Poland, Mr. Victor Ashe, representatives of the American Embassy, members of the diplomatic corps from the Tri-city area, representatives of regional, local and church authorities, members of parliament and senators as well as representatives of Gdynia companies and Tri-city artists participated in the celebrations of 231st anniversary of America’s Independence held in our city. During the reception occasional speeches were delivered by the U.S. Ambassador and USS Mahan’s commander, Mr. Rick Miller, and American as well as Polish national anthems were sung. The musical background for the event was provided by Przemek Dyakowski’s “Take it Easy” jazz band. During the reception the guests had an opportunity to be given a guided tour of the American vessel USS Mahan. On the next day representatives of the U.S. Embassy and Gdynia City Hall visited the children’s wards of Gdynia hospitals.

GDYNIA IN FRANCE

Between 13th and 16th July 2007 a representative of Gdynia stayed in Boulogne-sur-Mer in France. He was invited there by the organisation of the Polish community abroad - Maison de la Polonia (“Polish Home”). Boulogne-sur-Mer belongs to the Syndicat Mixte de la Côte d'Opale (Union of the Opal Coast Cities), which has been a partner of Gdynia since 2004. The main purpose of the visit to France was the promotion of Gdynia during the “Fête de la Mer” (Sea Feast). This Feast is a three-day event taking place on a stately city boulevard, along the quay next to the main harbour canal. Along the boulevard a festival city was created with a number of promotional stands (of cities, regions and non-governmental organisations) as well as commercial stands (handicraft, artists). Tourists were also attracted by outdoor cafés, restaurants and stages, where artistic performances took place. One of the attractions was also a tall ship festival. Numerous guests from France and neighbouring countries visited the Sea Feast. The stand of Gdynia was a part of the Polish stand run by the “Polish Home”. At the stand, besides tourist promotion, performances of folk groups, regional dance shows, Polish cuisine’s tastings and exhibitions of handicraft took place.

Between 31st July and 5th August 2007 Youth Games took place in Aalborg - a sister city of Gdynia. This event addressed to young sportsmen aged 13-15 from the twin cities of Aalborg is organised every four years. Around 1,600 participants from 25 cities including Gdynia took part in this year's edition of the games. The sportsmen of Gdynia represented Poland in the following disciplines: athletics, judo, shooting, swimming, table tennis and volleyball. Gdynia won 3 medals in athletics (a golden, a silver and a bronze medal), 2 silver and 2 bronze medals in shooting, 4 golden medals, 4 silver ones and 2 bronze ones in swimming, and 3 golden, 2 silver as well as 1 bronze medal in judo. Our girls playing volleyball won bronze medals and table tennis representation came 12th in the final classification. The Youth Games were accompanied by several additional events including joint concerts of bands from twin cities. Gdynia was represented by a rock group called „Bobbies on the beat" from the Secondary School no. 5. Apart from music performances for sportsmen, the bands were also involved in recording a joint CD and shooting music videos. Besides young sportsmen and the band, an official delegation of the city of Gdynia was present in Aalborg as well.

On 1st August 2007 in the Franciscan Church in Gdynia a concert of the “Kunda Muusikakooli Vilistlaskoor” female choir took place. The choir comes from Kunda (Estonia) – a twin city of Gdynia. This choir of the musical school in Kunda had previously performed during musical festivals in Norway and Finland. The repertoire of the choir during the concert in Gdynia included works of Estonian composers as well as classical and modern pieces. Ms Kaie Aja was the conductor of the choir.

On September 10, 2007 the ceremony of the opening of Sue Ryder Square and the unveiling of a memorial stone took place in Gdynia. The square is situated between Marszałka Piłsudskiego Avenue, Legionów Street and Partyzantów Street. It commemorates Lady Sue Ryder - a British woman who devoted all her life to helping the poor and the suffering. Lady Ryder fell in love with Poland treating it as her second homeland. On her initiative several Sue Ryder Homes were built in our country (also in Gdynia), which offer help to the ill and the suffering. In recognition of her contribution to the development of cancer treatment in Gdynia, Lady Sue Ryder was awarded with the honorary citizenship of the city of Gdynia in 1994. The Square opened on September 10, 2007 is another token of gratitude towards Lady Ryder. The opening ceremony of the Square was attended by Mr. Jeromy Chesthire, Lady Ryder's son, as well as Ms. Maria Stolzman, the President of the Sue Ryder Foundation in Warsaw. The guests, together with the Mayor of Gdynia, Mr. Wojciech Szczurek, performed the unveiling of the memorial stone.

On 27th September 2007 the best secondary school graduate of Gdynia was awarded the Plymouth-Gdynia Twinning Panel Prize for the first time for his outstanding knowledge of English. The Prize was established on the initiative of the Plymouth-Gdynia Twinning Panel and thanks to its financial means. The Panel has promoted the twinning link between Plymouth and Gdynia for 25 years . The Plymouth-Gdynia Twinning Panel Prize is given to the best graduate of a secondary school in Gdynia for his or her English knowledge and at the same time it commemorates the 30 years' activity of the Plymouth-Gdynia Twinning Panel. The Prize funded from the means accumulated in the bank account of this organisation will be awarded for 10 following years (2007 - 2017). Every year it will amount to the equivalent of 250 £ in zlotys. The first new secondary-school graduate awarded was Mr Tomasz Przeździecki from the International Baccalaureate School within the Group of Schools of General Education No. 1 in Gdynia. The prize-giving ceremony was attended by the delegation from Plymouth headed by Mr Peter Smith who had been the chairman of the Plymouth-Gdynia Twinning Panel for many years. In 2006 he was awarded the Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski Medal in recognition of his contribution to the development of Gdynia-Plymouth cooperation.

In October and November 2007 there was held a series of study visits of Ukrainian delegations to Gdynia. The visits were organised within the cooperation with the East European Democratic Centre from Warsaw. The participants in the visits represented six Ukraininan regions: Crimea, Kherson, Zakarpatia, Ivano-Frankovsk, Chernivitsi and Zaporoze. The delegations were composed of representatives of district administrations, administrations of big regions and cities, Regional Development Agency employees, journalists as well as representatives of regional non-governmental organizations interested in local development. It was the aim of the visits to learn from Polish experiences connected with the self-governmental reform, to get acquainted with the preparatory procedures connected with the accession to EU as well as to improve the quality of public debate concerning the territorial administration reform in Ukraine. During their stay in Gdynia the representatives of Ukraine had several meetings in Gdynia City Hall. They had an opportunity to take part in the session of Gdynia City Council and visited NGO Centre in Gdynia. The Ukrainian guests participated also in many study visits to the institutions and companies of Gdynia such as the Economic Foundation, Gdynia Activity Centre for Senior Citizens, Pomeranian Science and Technology Park and Science Centre "Experyment", Public Transport Authority, Water and Sewage Authority, "Eko Dolina" as well as Trolleybus Transport Company.

ROAD SAFETY CONTEST

The city of Gdynia runs the UBC Commission on Transportation Secretariat. As part of its activities, the Commission organised in November 2007 a competition entitled "Road Safety Contest" in which three equal prizes of 1,000 euro were awarded. Primary schools from the Baltic Sea region participated in the contest. The competition task consisted in presenting the most interesting, complex and original project on road safety education for children aged 7-12. Project proposals were sent from 10 cities of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Russia. From among the applications submitted the international jury chose three best projects sent by primary schools from Chojnice (Poland), Gdynia (Poland) and Klaipeda (Lithuania).