MARCH - APRIL 2013 No. 03/04 (03/04) / 2013 ISSUED

MARCH - APRIL 2013
No. 03/04 (03/04) / 2013
ISSUED BY GDYNIA CITY HALL
Photo by Marek Pęgowski
GDYNIA AWARDED BY PRESIDENT OF RP
Press releases/ Chancery of the President of Poland
Gdynia rewarded by President of Republic of Poland.
Wojciech Szczurek, Mayor of Gdynia and Michał Guć, Deputy Mayor of Gdynia received the Civic Prize of the
President of Poland in category “Civic Community” for a project “Gdynia in a dialogue with inhabitants”. Prizes
were awarded for the first time and constitute a distinction for outstanding, innovative and effective civic
activities for common good.
Presentation of awards took place on May 28th, 2013 in
Presidential Palace during the ceremony of the Day of the
Local Government.
Jury appreciated innovative social projects initiated and
realized by the municipality in order to creating public
space for dialogue with inhabitants, choosing them from
other 125 submitted projects.
Basic assumptions of the projects rely on working out an
effective system of social consultation and participation
in creating a development strategy and conducting local
and regional policy. Innovation of these actions consists
in realizing innovative form of local democracy, original
ways of civic activation, cooperation with non-governmental organizations and decentralization of the public
tasks by handing it over to the civic organizations or to
the units closer to the citizens.
This projects can be divided into three groups of initiatives realized in cooperation with inhabitants:
I. Revitalization of the Gdynia Chylonia district (in
association with Kreatywni – Foundation for Social
Change, Social Welfare Centre (MOPS) and Gdynia
Innovation Centre);
The aim of this undertaking is revival of local community and revitalization of Chylonia district. The main
assumption is to build positive civic bonds among
the inhabitants of these quarter, development of this
community, and also permanent changes that would be congruent with inhabitants’ needs. Analysis
of statistical data (statistics of the Police, Job Center,
MOPS, schools ranking, GUS data) shows, that from
22 districts in Gdynia this is the most demanding an
intervention part of the city. Realization of a program
European Neighbours Day on residential streets and Zamenhof charge Hackiego
- Press releases Resident Active Center
is divided into two phases: work on the mentality of
inhabitants and reshape of the space. First step to design new public space was getting an interest of kids and youth in
order to create a playground.
II. A dialogue with various groups of inhabitants in Gdynia, aimed at indicating the areas and solutions, which need
to be enhanced or reconstructed and determining the rules of friendly formation of the public space;
This point included: research walks people with disabilities organized within the scope of the project „Gdynia for All”,
research walks with seniors dedicated to analysis of accessibility of the City Center according to the seniors’ needs as
well as realization of design workshops to improve the quality of life in Gdynia (within the scope of the project „Design
for All”). The aim of project „Gdynia for All” was a diagnose of the municipal space in view of its accessibility for the disabled, seniors and parents with push-chairs. Workshops “Design for All” organized in 2011 and 2012 by “Gdynia Design
Center” aimed at improving life quality of Gdynia’s inhabitants and allowed to develop the solutions which can improve
public space of one of the Gdynia’s districts – Dąbrowa. They assumed a lot of consultations with inhabitants and allowed for suggesting specific architectural solutions to be implemented in
public space.
III. Augmentation of inhabitants role in decisions- making process
concerning investment and repair activities.
As a result of a discussion between councilors of the city and councilors
of the auxiliary units, a new conception of making decisions a propos
budget destined for investments and repairs of communal roads was
developed.
The effect of the realization of the awarded undertakings is decentralization of decision-making process, particularly concerning public space
formation, civic involvement in realization of public activities, realization
of innovative forms of civic democracy and original ways of cooperation
between inhabitants and authorities.
GDYNIA’S INFOBOX ALREADY OPEN
Gdynia InfoBox already open.
Gdynia Infobox – the Observatory of Changes is officially open! On June
08th 2013 Gdynia’s Infobox opened his doors and the first visitors could see
the building from inside. The biggest town planning model in Poland, multimedia presentations on the big touch-screens or education point for kids – all
were very popular among the inhabitants and tourists. Observation tower was
simply besieged. To get on the top, you had to wait in very long lane, but view
from the terrace at the height of 22 meters certainly made up for lost time.
Gdynia InfoBox is the new public space with very interesting functions. This
is the observatory of all changes which are being made in Gdynia. All the
information about transformations, taking place in the city of Gdynia are now
gathered in one place. This is the unprecedented undertaking in our country.
Gdynia InfoBox will be also a public space accumulating good energy of people
interested in the development of Gdynia and the region – schools, associations,
non-governmental organizations, companies working in the city, property
developers, culture institutions, mass media and of course inhabitants.
In the main hall of Gdynia InfoBox you can see huge model of 8 x 4 m. It’s very
impressing not only because of the size but also a detailed mapping. On the
model there are not only the already existing buildings, but also the planned
ones. In addition to the model there are huge touch–screens, which will take
the visitors on the interactive trip to the future.
An implicit attraction of Gdynia InfoBox is Panoramium – 22 meters observation Tower. We can get there by the stairs or by the panoramic lift. From there
we can admire the progress of some investments, but also see the unique in
Poland axis of street stretching out to the see.
Square neighbouring Gdynia InfoBox was revitalized. Because of the complicated proprietary matters, this square, called Zeromski Square, was not used for
years, wasting its potential. Now, there is a lot of greenery, small architecture,
and intriguing night illumination. Thanks to this reconstruction, the place became a friendly, green and modern space, worth being located in the centre of
big city. The place at the intersection of trails, Gdynia’s agora, where you can sit
on the grass in the shadow of the branchy maple-tree, relax, drink coffee, meet
friends or have fun with kids.
The investment comprises also of a coffee house Juniorbox – where the youngest can create urban space, new bus shelter, and also Culturebox – culture
activity centre.
Photo by Sylwia Szumielewicz- Tobiasz
GDYNIA’S PUBLIC TRANSPORT IS THE BEST IN EUROPE
Gdynia’s public transport is the best in Europe.
During the 60th UITP World Congress and Mobility & City Transport Exhibition in Geneva, the International Association of Public Transport awarded Gdynia for the highest standard of customer service in public transport
in the East -Central Europe!
Photo by Marcin Morozowski
This prize is a sign of high evaluation of actions, which
were implemented in the city during 20 years after the beginning of political transformation. Gdynia, as one of the
first cities, changed the system of organization, management and public transport development. In the limelight
there’s a customer – passenger and his needs. The point is
to allow inhabitants to take the floor and enable them to
co-create a transport offer.
In the first place, the transport needs, behaviors and
preferences of inhabitants were investigated. The method
of complex, marketing research allowing to identify basics
directions of urban journeys, the aptness of schedules,
aims of journeys and the public transport evaluation, was
worked out.
Against the prevailing opinion it was proved, that it’s not a
ticket price what is the most important for the passengers.
In Gdynia, more important is punctuality, directness of
connections and their frequency and accessibility. The
research results made it possible to rebuild the ZKM offer,
so that it provided services suited not only for the needs,
but also inspirations of Gdynia inhabitants as well as
inhabitants of neighboring communities, who are using
Gdynia’s buses and trolley buses.
The service quality has to go hand in hand with modernity. It’s not only the customers comfort what supports
this thesis but also ecological reasons. From the very
beginning, Gdynia put an emphasis on exploitation of a
modern and ecological fleet, what is embodied by one of
the most modern trolley-bus tractions and CNG-fueled
buses in Europe and all over the world. Also, all the vehicles, both buses and trolley-buses are low-deck. With a lot
of solutions we are already ahead of the partners from the
West Europe, which follow our steps. As for organization of
trolley-bus transport, we are perceived as a European leader.
Everyone else want to learn from us. When I was in Geneva
to receive the International Association of Public Transport
award, I had a chance to observe local public transport. In
this very rich city 43 out of 92 trolley-buses are high deck,
and about 10 are more than 30 years old, said with pride
professor Olgierd Wyszomirski, ZKM Gdynia director.
Not only vehicles are modern in Gdynia. Other 21st century solutions which were introduced are: electronic ticket,
electronic information in vehicles, Internet news bulletin
with a lot of information about services or a customers
service. Gdynia has consciously resigned from the leader’s
position in respect of technological novelties, assuming
that more important than gadgets is service, and the activation of new bus router is more important than a new
puncher. It’s worth adding, that since1992 Gdynia has activated 20 new bus and 5 trolley-bus routes, whereas the
number of kilometers driven by Gdynia public transport
increased about 1/3.
The meaning of being technological pioneer is otherwise
high-risked. In this respect, Gdynia prefers to choose good
and checked solutions, providing the customers with the
highest quality service.
As you see, not only inhabitants appreciate this attitude
(the evaluation of Gdynia public transport improved from
3,34 in 1994 to 4,18 points in 2010) but also the experts
from International Association of Public Transport.
European bus of the year 2013 runs in Gdynia.
Gdynia’s bus fleet was enlarged with subsequent
modern, comfortable and safe vehicles. On Gdynia’s
streets run 2 new Mercedes-Benz Citaro G buses. This
model won a title of a bus of the year 2013 in Europe.
Photo by Krzysztof Romański
Citaro G is a successor of unusually popular city bus,
which turned up on the market in 1997. Since then, Mercedes has sold almost 31 000 specimens of first Citaro. But
here comes the time for the bus of new generation. The
model, which will be in use in Gdynia is the first one of this
type of vehicles in Poland. The vehicles made in the factory in Mannheim were bought by Car Communication
Enterprise (Pomorska Komunikacja Samochodowa,
PKS). It’s one of the freight carrier, performing the services
for Gdynia’s ZKM. What is interesting, the freight carrier
known as a PKS Wejherowo, from this year has a head office in Gdynia. Coach transport is not our main target any
more. We are focused on market of a public transport, so the
decision of moving the head office was a strategic decision
for our company, said Witold Skiba, the chairman of the
PKS board. The Mercedes makes up almost 100% of our
fleet. Most probably, in few months we will buy the next two
buses of this kind, he announced.
By what is so special about Mercedes-Benz Citaro G?
Ecology Citaro G meets the most severe ecological standards and fulfills the requirements which will be in force
from 2015 and 2016.
Safety By means of modifications compared to the original model version, Citaro G is the one of the most safe
buses in the world. There was increased inflexibility of
the bodywork frame, what was possible in simultaneous
reduction of his mass. Additional characteristic of this bus
construction is a special cage on the front wall, absorbing
the energy of the possible crash. By means of that, driver
and the passengers are additionally secured in case of
head – crash. Also, Citaro G as a first city bus in the world
has so-called ESP, what is electronic stability program that
improves the safety of the vehicle’s stability by detecting
and reducing loss of traction.
Effectiveness Thanks to the new power transmission
system, Citaro 2 uses 5% less fuel than its predecessor.
Furthermore, an innovative system of super-accumulators, which load when the bus brakes are being activated.
Buses can then supply energy to the on-board devices
during the starting. It’s the first system of this kind implemented in Diesel engines! What is also important taking
into consideration long standing exploitation is the fact,
that the buses have to services after 180.000 km not after
120.000 km as it was the case before.
In the road traffic it’s easy to have a small collision or to
get scratched, what can generate costs. That’s why Citaro
2 is equipped with easily replicable covers made from
plastic and fiberglass. It can protect the bodyworks corners during the approach to the bus stop and knowingly
reduce the cost of eventual repair.
Design Citaro 2 looks great with dynamic covers on the
roof, higher windscreen, massive wheel arches and “smiling” front.
18 meters-long, articulated Mercedes-Benz Citaro G can
seat 156 passengers, 119 standing and 37 seating. It is a
truly disabled-friendly vehicle. It has a monitoring, air condition and automatic system of the fire suppression in the
engine chamber. Gdynia’s Citaro G will operate on Kacze
Buki – Rumia route as the fast line „R”.
BYPAD - more cyclist in gdynia
Gdynia has a plan to have more cyclist. A group of a dozen or so councilors, office workers and inhabitants checked cycling conditions in Gdynia. They covered a distance of 75 km in different quarters. They worked together
with professional auditors who prepared a report afterwards. On June 04th 2013, the report together with a
BYPAD certificate was handed over to Mayor of Gdynia, Mr. Wojciech Szczurek.
Photo by Sylwia Szumielewicz - Tobiasz
Analysis of the present condition of a cycling policy as well as creation of an action map lasted two months. Audit was
made by Inspro company, who pointed out, among other things, that there is a big number of cycle paths and tracks
in the city but a lot of them is not connected with one another. Narrow bends and big distance from the entry to the
intersections, what contributes to weak visibility for the cyclists and drivers and can lead to collision are also perceived
as problems. As for good practices worth further diffusion, the report
highlights the strategy of promotion of a bicycle, directed especially at
people riding on two wheels to work, as well as putting attention to cycling issues while drawing up local land use plans and an appointment of
a cycling officer who has clear range of his duties.
- Report will help to establish what issues are most important, most urgent,
what may be done in the close perspective and what within a few years.
An action plan includes 37 ideas which will be realized in 30 months,
from January 2014 to June 2016. During this time the city will complete
the most urgent gaps in the existing cycle paths. New lanes will arise at
Wielkopolska Street and Zwycięstwa Avenue, while the quality of the
already existing lane at Morska Street will be improved. Road traffic
around the schools and on the chosen streets of downtown district will
be calmed and cyclists will feel more safe using the roadway. Changes in
the infrastructure will be completed with the information and promotion
campaigns, signposts for cyclist and training courses concerning road
traffic. The plan assumes that each year 1% of Gdynia’s inhabitants will
change their car to a bike. This way in 2023 cyclists will make up 10% of
the road traffic participants.This document is a very important obligation.
We want to realize cycling policy, develop it in a conscious way, set a high
target, said Mayor Wojciech Szczurek.
Photo by Małgorzata Omachel - Kwidzińska
Gdynia is the third city, after Tczew and Gdansk, which went through BYPAD audit. It’s a comprehensive, participatory
cycling politics quality analysis . Methodology is based on the evaluation of the quality management system according
to ISO standard. Until now it has been implemented in 170 cities and regions in 24 countries.
GDYNIA BUSINESS PLAN
Photo by Krzysztof Romański
Gdynia Business plan contest finally settled – awards
for the brave and the creative.
duk has already announced, that he didn’t want to limit
himself to the Polish market only.
Kamil Hajduk won the 11th edition of the Gdynia Business Plan contest. Jury has awarded his project Bahati Rail
related to the modern solutions reducing railway noise.
The prizewinner received among other things 20.000 PLN.
The final gala took place on June 3rd, 2013 in the Pomeranian Science and Technology Park in Gdynia.
Winner of the 2nd place was Natalia Strzęciwilk. She
was awarded for the project „TEDDY BEAR – love and consciousness”. A student of mechanical-medical engineering
at the Gdansk University of Technology wants to help the
handicapped children, especially those with cerebral palsy, and their families. She conceived an idea which makes
it possible to order unavailable specialist medical equipment, tailored to the patients with rare deficiencies – and
all of that in a reasonable price. Laureate received among
other things financial prize – 15.000 PLN.
Kamil Hajduk, an engineer and designer of track systems,
wishes to replace high acoustic screens with other methods of reducing noise caused by rail transport. Thanks
to that, traveling by train, one would be able to look at
trees, meadows, fields and forests. One of the ideas is to
replace high acoustic screens (from 3 to 6 meters) disturbing the aesthetics and landscape of the environment
– with the smaller ones, about 1-2 meters high, which will
be located closer to the source of noise. In plans there is
also an application of other systems, already available on
the market or designed by victorious engineer. Kamil Haj-
Third ranked: Aleksander Bielawski, Robert Kowalczyk and Dominik Sędzicki, the authors of the project
„Aeon Form”. They are educated engineers and architects,
wishing to revolutionize funeral industry. They offer individually designed tombstones, coffins – e.g. in the shape
of crystal, urn or even candle. Laureates received among
other things – 10.000 PLN.
Other ideas honoured by the jury: Aleksandra Pilecka
for the idea „Faro Sails - Voyage, training courses, charters”,
Marcin Kołacz - „Ecological-computer kindergarten „, Natalia Kujawska - „LabShare”, Monika Palka - „Renovation
of the old one”, Adam Nowiński and Robert Kwidziński
- „Energyarea.pl – announcement portal”, Jakub Jerz
- „Drobs – sale for the employees teams in the companies
computer devices correcting their efficiency and working
organization”, Maciej Lindner - „Talents Factory”, Magda
Skwierawska - „PROCAREER”, Marek Kocejko - „Development of a professional activity of handicapped youth by
deployment of the program of the consideration of water
and energy to heat the preschool establishments and human welfare establishments in Gdynia”, Lucyna Kiszczak
- „Cross Fit Project Gdynia Poland”.
but also at those who already exist on the market of small
entities. The most important condition is location – it has
to be run or transferred to Gdynia.
Since 2003, almost 3900 people participated in the eleven
editions of the contest submitting almost 3700 business
ideas. The winners or authors of the recognized business
plans gained a pass to the world of business – excellent
recommendations and support of the numerous institutions. As many as 27 from 30 laureates established their
own companies up till now. All of them work vigorously
and develop dynamically.
In this year’s Gdynia Business Plan took part 723 people.
Participants submitted in total 761 original ideas for a
business – the biggest number in the contest’s history.
During the 2nd stage, they submitted 159 business plans,
and 13 projects qualified to the final stage. According to
the jury, they were the best in respect of preparation and
chances for realization.
The Gdynia Business Plan contest is directed especially
at the people who are currently not running a business,
GDYNIA ATTRACTIVE FOR BUSINESS
Gdynia is attractive for business. Ranked second in the most business-attractive big cities ranking organized by
„Forbes”.
the growth index for 1000 inhabitants was 1,46 (1,53
in Rzeszów).
In this ranking, cities with 150.000 to 300.000 inhabitants
were taken into consideration. First place was awarded to
Rzeszów, third - to Bielsko-Biała.
„Forbes” stressed, that in Gdynia a lot of good things
happen in the center of a city and in the shipyard area.
Navy Shipyard in Gdynia is currently in the field of interest of Damen Shipyards Group and DCNS arms concern.
Another object of this type, Gdynia’s Shipyard (old Paris
Commune Shipyard), has been revitalized for some time
now. This is the place where the seat of the Pomeranian
Special Economic Zone realizes the project of the Baltic
Port of New Technologies. They are meant to attract the
entities, which want to introduce innovative ideas and
technologies.
The necessary data were gathered by the Cerntre for
Economic Information (Centralny Ośrodek Informacji Gospodarczej, COIG) in its annual analysis. From the number
of the business entities created in a given city in 2012 the
bankrupt ones were subtracted, basing on the National
Court Register. Next, the result was compared to 1000 inhabitants and that determined the final order in ranking.
According to the information gathered by COIG, in
2012 in Gdynia 402 new companies were created, so
9
THE CHINESE SISTER OF GDYNIA
Photo by Michał Kowalski
Gdynia has a sister in... China. Gdynia and Chinese Haikou have a lot in common. The history of both cities
starts in 1926. Their fast development may be attributed their sea harbors, and - on June 10th 2013 - their
representatives signed the sister cities agreement .
The agreement concluded between Haikou and Gdynia
for an indefinite period of time is the next stage of the development of their mutual relations. In 2006 Gdynia and
Haikou signed the first agreement on cooperation, valid
for 5 years. The renewed agreement will help to expand
collaboration in the fields of: economy, science, culture,
education, urban planning, environmental protection or
sport.
Haikou is a political, economical and cultural centre of a
Hainan Island and also the capital of the Hainan province.
The city is situated on the south shore of the Qiongzhou
Strait and has over 2 millions inhabitants. The most important sectors of economy are: marine, electronic, food and
textile industries. Haioku is also a popular tourist destination. .
Both Gdynia and Haikou put a great emphasis on sustainable development. They support science and the new
technologies. It’s also worth mentioning, that entire Island
of Hainan has a status of a special economic zone.
MARSHAL’S PRIZE FOR GDYNIA
Marshal’s prize for Gdynia for effective absorption of
EU-funds. Marshal of the Pomorskie Voivodeship, Mr.
Mieczysław Struk during the regional Day of the Local
Government on May 29th 2013 rewarded the Gdynia
government for its activity in acquisition and realization of
projects financed by EU in 2007-2013.
Gdynia was honored for the effective ideas of complementarity by the consolidation of the financial sources
from different operational EU programs, particularly for
the realization of the project Pomeranian Science and
Technology Park – extension, stages 3 and 4. Marshal
rewarded altogether 23 Pomeranian governments.
10
A HOSPICE
Photo by Dorota Nelke
The construction of the full-time hospice for kids in Gdynia is coming to an end.
The construction of the first in region and one of the first in Poland full-time hospice for children is coming to
an end at Dickman’s Street in Gdynia. This is the common project of St. Lawrence Hospice in Gdynia Association
and Gdynia’s authorities.
Full- time hospice is the place, where incurably ill kids
will get professional, medical help, but also a lot of smile
and kindness. There will be colored rooms for kids, ward
for teenagers, rooms for parents, room to play and have
fun, computer room, hydrotherapy room, small TV room,
as well as occupational therapy and rehabilitation rooms.
Nearby there will be a clinic supporting families of ill kids.
The building of full-time hospice for kids started on June
19th, 2012. On December 6th, 2012 a topping out ceremony took place.
Money necessary for the realization of the investment was
collected by means of the generous support of inhabi-
tants of Gdynia, and the activity of St. Lawrence Hospice
in Gdynia Association.
The land of 3.000 m² was donated by the City. The project
was worked out free of charge by a team of a few people
– architects, town planners and engineers.
Opening of hospice is dependent on accumulation of
financial assets needed for the equipment. That’s why
we are providing you with a bank account number of St.
Lawrence Hospice in Gdynia Association (Stowarzyszenie
Hospicjum im. św. Wawrzyńca): PEKAO S.A. II O/GDYNIA
75 1240 3510 1111 0000 4318 2794.
11
THE BEST MAYOR IN POLAND
Wojciech Szczurek – the best Mayor in Poland.
Mayor of Gdynia Wojciech Szczurek won „The ranking of Polish Mayors” prepared by „Newsweek” weekly. The
Jury took into consideration, among other things: personal activity of Mayors and accomplishments of their
cities during last year, cities’ economy (investments from the own financial assets, foreign investments, business-friendliness, acquisition of EU financial assets, creditability of the cities, etc.), culture, education, health,
social issues, cooperation with NGOs, leadership skills of Mayors, ability of functioning during the public finances crisis, care for the public funds, as well as the condition of the culture, education, health, public transport
and the other things crucial for the inhabitants.
The editorial staff sent out a questionnaire to 29 Mayors
of Polish cities (previous laureates of „Newsweek” ranking), who had to indicate five best mayors and awarded
them points (from 1 to 5). Of course, they couldn’t vote for
themselves. Jury of the ranking (the representative of the
editorial staff and the invited experts on local government
issues) summed it and awarded their own score.
The „Newsweek” Exclamation Mark Statuette was awarded to the Mayor of Gdynia during the IV Nationwide
Congress of Regions, which started on June 11th 2013 in
Świdnica. Almost one and a half thousand guests – representatives of government, business, public administration
and European Union, as well as experts, scientists and
journalists took part in this congress.
Wojciech Szczurek is the Mayor of Gdynia since 1998.
In local government elections of 2010 he received over
87 % of votes in the first round, what – just as in his prior
terms – was the best result in the country among all Mayors.
He started local activity in 1990, when he became a Gdynia Councilor. In years 1991-1998 he was the Chairman of
the City Council and, in the same time, the city’s representatives in Regional Assembly of Gdańsk Voivodeship.
Photo by Grzegorz Szymański
12
NEW STAR AT THE PASSENGER SHIPS’ AVENUE
The new star at Gdynia’s „Passenger Ships’ Avenue”. On July 1st 2013 at Pomeranian Wharf in Gdynia the ceremony of unveiling the 21st plaque at „Passenger Ships’ Avenue” took place. This time it commemorated the
visit of „AIDAbella” cruiser. The sides of the ship are decorated with the eyes and sea wave motif and on the
front one can see… smiling lips.
Photo by Tadeusz Urbaniak/Gdynia Port
About „Passenger Ships’ Avenue”
The only one in Poland “Passenger Ships’Avenue” was
opened on July 1st, to commemorate the biggest and the
most beautiful vessels from all over the world that moor
at the Gdynia port.
Memorial plaques, made of green, Italian granite, are
built in the south jetty of the Pomeranian Wharf (the
beginning of Jan Paweł II Avenue, opposite the Gdynia
Aquarium).
At the avenue, there are already the plaques of: Birca
Princess, Vistamar, Albatros, Lili Marleen, Grand Princess, Discovery, Star Princess, Constellation, project
Baltic Cruise, Navigator of the Seas, Hanseatic, Queen
Victoria, AIDAluna, Emerald Princess, Grand Mistral,
Vision of the Seas, AIDAblu, Costa Pacifica, Mein Schiff
2, Marina.
Photo by Sylwia Szumielewicz - Tobiasz
13
HEINEKEN OPEN’ER FESTIVAL
12. Heineken Open’er Festival is already over. Almost 100 concerts and dj sets, over a dozen hours of theatrical
performances, documentary marathons, fashion shows, lectures, design workshops and meetings in NGO (
non-governmental organizations ) zone. On July 7th Heineken Open’er Festival ended. This time – thanks to
the Rihanna’s show on Sunday – it lasted for five days.
Photo by Tomek Kamiński
For the beginning of Open’er Festival , the organizers offered the audience with a musical earthquake, because this
is how the Blur’s concert has to be called.
60 000 fans, among them also for Rihanna and her coworkers, who spent all concert dancing in the front of the
stage.
The second day of Festival was the day of newcomers
from Australia. On the Main Stage played the last year’s
phenomenon - Tame Impala band – and under the cover
of darkness -excellent performance was offered by Nick
Cave with The Bad Seeds.
One day after the Heineken Open’er Festival, on July 7th,
Rihanna played a special concert in Gdynia. This concert
was a part of the Diamonds World Tour 2013. This event
promoted Unapologetic album released last November,
her seventh production from the legendary record label
Def Jam, the same where Beastie Boys and Public Enemy
used to record. The current Rihanna’s hit, Diamonds, is at
the same time the fastest selling single.
A crowd of tens of thousands of people didn’t fail the
British from Arctic Monkeys. Their concert maintained
high level from the very beginning to the end – it was
rock show of the highest standard. The Tent Stage was
also worth going to, particularly during to the concert of
Junip group. Its vocalist is Jose Gonzalez, who few years
ago charmed the rest of the world with track Heartbeats,
well known thanks to having been placed in the advertisement of a popular TV brand.
The third day of Open’er belonged to Queens Of The Stone Age. The band, during almost an hour and a half, gave
one of the most intensive concerts of the last years, and
they didn’t slow even for a moment.
On the fourth day, the kings from Kings of Leon turned
up on the main stage of the Festival. It was probably the
most expected concert of this Open’er. They played for
This year’s big winner is Polish music. All Alterspace Tent
was singing Grażka and Zbyszek together with Domowe
Melodie, UL/KR were kidding, that they were supporting Rihanna’s concert, Maria Peszek and Hey with their
devoted audience, envied by the world stars or risky but
successful reactivation of legendary Kaliber 44. Joka and
Abradab together with Gutek and complete band presented cross-sectional material from three of Kaliber’s albums
and proved that their return to the industry under the
original name was a bull’s eye. Dawid Podsiadło also had
his successful debut. He filled entire Tent Stage during
the first hour of Open’er. No less fans attracted XXANAXX,
Sorry Boys, Rebeka or Skubas.
During Heineken Open’er Festiwal, every day was partying
over 50.000 fans of good music.
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PLAYING BENCH OF TRÓJKA POLISH RADIO
A playing bench of Trójka Polish Radio was unveiled in Gdynia.
On June 15th 2013, Piotr Baron - the editor, together with Wojciech Szczurek - Mayor of Gdynia, unveiled a
Trójka Polish Radio’s Bench. This unusual – playing – city furniture is placed at the Żeromski square, vis-à-vis
an entrance to Gdynia InfoBox.
On this bench you can not only can sit and
relax, but also listen to a good music. After
pushing a special button, a person sitting on
the bench can hear characteristic sound of ABC’s The look of love, which starts every Charts
of 3rd Program of Polish Radio. Then, Marek
Niedźwiedzki, Trójka’s Charts founding father,
tells about the most popular songs at a given
month.
Unveiling of Trójka Polish Radio’s Bench was
witnessed by numerous spectators at the square and – thanks to Trójka Radio – by audience
all over Poland.
Photos by Krzysztof Romański
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PRESIDENT OF THE MUSEUM OF GDYNIA CITY
Jacek Friedrich became new director of the Gdynia City Museum. Since September Gdynia City Museum has
new director - Jacek Friedrich, an art historian an enthusiast of region, monuments and architecture.
- Jacek Friedrich presented us with a fascinating conception
of new model of museum’s work, emphasized Mr. Wojciech
Szczurek, Mayor of Gdynia, who informed about the nomination. It will be a very creative continuation of its present
activity, but also a development of new ideas.
- The museum is on the right track, said Jacek Friedrich.
The new director is thinking about possible changes in
its previous functioning. He is planning to, e.g. reduce the
size of regular exhibitions, and focus on temporal ones,
dedicated to the specific topic and associated with the history of Gdynia. He is also thinking about the publications,
both scientific and for kids.
Nevertheless, we will have to wait at least two years for
the realization of these assumptions, since this is the period of time needed for preparation of a good exposition.
At the beginning of Jacek Friedrich’s term, the museum
will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its existence. He
says that initially he will concentrate on continuation of
the present undertakings and realization those already
planned.
Photo by Krzysztof Romański
Till the end of August, the position was still held by
Dagmara Płaza-Opacka, who was the museum’s director
since 1998. She manage to transform the institution into
place which is full of life and was always eager to conduct
incredible projects, both historical and cultural.
Press releases/Gdynia City Museum
Jacek Friedrich was born in 1965 in Gdańsk. He graduated from the art history at the Jagiellonian University.
In 2000 he defended his PhD thesis. He is working at the
Art History Institute at the University in Gdansk and at
the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk. He is the head of the
Voivodeship Conservation Council (Wojewódzka Rada
Ochrony Zabytków) in Gdansk.
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LUZ
Bonze Applause for Gdynia’s „Luz”. Band LUZ from
School No. 14 in Dąbrowa won a Bronze Applause,
third award at 34th International Festival of Song in
Konin in the category of vocal bands 13-16. In addition, Luz and the second band from Gdynia - Wiercipięty - were awarded with nomination to the participation in International Festival in Venice. All young
artists attend a vocal classes with Elżbieta Cupiał, within
the scope of “Gdynia after hours” project, which take place
every Saturday in School No. 14 in Gdynia.
event of the utmost importance in Poland, and also in the
world. Prestige is added also thanks to the Konin Band
Orchestra, accompanying the singers. In jury there are
experts from Poland and abroad, e.g. Russia, Italy, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Germany.
In the festival which ended on June 8th 2013, 2.200 participants form dozen or so countries took part. For the first
time in Konin sang little girl from Finland. There were also
kids from Bulgaria, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Belorussia,
Ukraine, Russia and Moldavia. In the last editions participated also young vocalists and dancers from USA, Japan,
Israel and Canada. Organized for 34 years now, International Children Festival of Song and Dance in Konin is the
Gdynia blooms in May and June
The photo of colored tulips with the building of District
Court in the background made by Patryk Grochowski
was unrivalled in the photographic contest „Gdynia blooms - May 2013”. Second ranked Ewa Morzuch, and third
- Ana Matusevic. Jury honored also 3 other people: Anna
Łopion, Marta Burczyk i Katarzyna Mazur.
Press releases
Night photos of urban greenery at the Kaszubski Square
made by Dariusz Marschall was the best in the June’s
edition of the contest „Gdynia blooms”. Second ranked
Patrycja Mejer, who photographed ornamental apple
trees at Podjazd street while third - Zygfryd Heiza and
his photo of luxuriant spirea van Houtte bushes with
Gdynia Arena in the background.
Laureates received books written by inhabitants of Gdynia Jola Słoma i Mirek Trymbulak „Taste Atelier”. Jury
honored also Ewa Kaniewska and her photo of weigelas
planted at Jan Paweł II avenue. The contest „Gdynia
blooms”, which subject is Gdynia’s squares and green
spaces, will be organized monthly till the end of September.
Photo by Patryk Grochowski
Issued by Gdynia City Hall
Contact details:
Prepared and designed by Press
tel. +48 58 668 81 27
Translated by Foreign Relations e-mail: [email protected]
Department
www.gdynia.pl
Photo by Dariusz Marschall
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