Polska 2014: Transformation Complete

Polska 2014: Transformation Complete 71

BASIC FACTS ABOUT POLAND

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Poland is at the very heart of Europe. In the last 25 years it has undergone a transformation, becoming a stable democratic country with a dynamic economy. The country has truly become a bridge between east and west. It has been said that the 21st century will be the a ‘New Golden Age’ for Poland.

BASIC FACTS ABOUT POLAND

Key information Area

Population

312,679 km

38.5 million

Capital city

Climate

Warsaw

moderate

2

Poland lies on the European Plain, by some measurements in the very centre of Europe.

The Baltic Sea in the north and the Sudetes and Carpathian mountain ranges in the south form natural borders.

Seven countries share land borders with Poland: Belarus, the Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania, Russia, Slovakia and Ukraine. Poland’s location at the heart of Europe between major powers has had a profound effect on its culture and history, and the country is now benefiting as a crossroads of Europe.

R

Political system

Total GDP (2012)

parliamentary democracy

$489 billion

BY PL

D

UA

CZ SK

Member of

UN, EU, NATO, WTO Border countries:

Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Russia

LT

BASIC FACTS ABOUT POLAND

National symbols Official name

The Republic of Poland

The country, officially called ‘The Republic of Poland’, is in Central Europe. In Polish its name is ‘Polska’. With an area of 312,679 km2, Poland is the 69th largest country in the world and the 9th largest in Europe.

With a population of more than 38.5 million, it is the 34th most populous country in the world and the 6th most populous member of the European Union.

National flag

National emblem

National currency

white and red

the white eagle

Polish złoty (PLN)

National phone code

National Internet suffix

National road traffic code

+48

.pl

PL

BASIC FACTS ABOUT POLAND

The Polish language

The Polish alphabet, which has 32 characters,

The most difficult tongue twister

W Szczebrzeszynie chrząszcz brzmi w trzcinie i Szczebrzeszyn z tego słynie.

does not include the Latin letters Q, V and X.

Eng: In Szczebrzeszyn a beetle buzzes in the reed, for which Szczebrzeszyn is famous.

Polish is part of the West Slavic language group, which includes Czech and Slovak and which in turn is part of the IndoEuropean language group. It is estimated that Polish is a native language for some 44 million people worldwide. Polish is generally acknowledged as being one of the most challenging languages in the world to learn.

But that challenge is rewarding.

Aa

Ąą Bb

Cc

Ćć Dd Ee

Ęę

Ff

Gg Hh

Ii

Jj

Kk

Ll

Łł

Mm Nn Ńń Oo Óo Pp

Rr

Ss

Tt Uu Ww Yy

Źź

Żż

Śś

Zz

BASIC FACTS ABOUT POLAND

Poland in other languages The word for Poland in most languages (including Polish) derives from the name of the ‘Polanie’ tribe which asserted control over a number of neighbouring tribes near Gniezno (Poland’s first capital) in the 10th century. The name of the tribe was derived from the word ‘pole’ meaning ‘field.’

The name for Poland in some other languages, including Lithuanian and Hungarian, derives from the word ‘lęda’ meaning ‘a tract of uncultivated land.’ In Hebrew, the name of the country is ‘Pol-in’, which also means ‘a place to rest.’ This was originally seen as an auspicious sign by many Jews, who decided to take up residence in Poland.

The name for Poland is derived from

the Polish word ‘pole’ meaning ‘field’.

Chinese:

German:

French:

Finnish:

Portuguese:

Spanish:

Turkish:

Vietnamese:

Bolan

Polen

Pologne

Puola

Polónia

Polonia

Polonya

Ba Lan

BASIC FACTS ABOUT POLAND

Famous Poles Nicolas Copernicus

Jan III Sobieski

Fryderyk Chopin

Mathematician and astronomer, born in Toruń, Poland. His formulation of a heliocentric model of the universe, set forth in his book, ‘On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres’, began the Copernican Revolution in science.

King of Poland from 1674-1696, he is most famous for his role in the Christian forces’ victory over the Ottoman Empire at the 1883 Battle of Vienna, where he held overall command. Polish forces played a key role in defeating the Turks.

One of the world’s greatest composers and a piano virtuoso, widely regarded as a musical genius. Chopin grew up in Warsaw, where he completed his musical education and composed many of his works.

Joseph Conrad

Maria Skłodowska-Curie

Pope John Paul II

Born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski, he is considered one of the greatest novelists in English, though it was not his native language.

Among his greatest works are: ‘Heart of Darkness’, ‘Lord Jim’, and ‘The Secret Agent’.

Famous physicist, twice winner of the Nobel Prize (for physics in 1903 and for chemistry in 1911). Together with her husband Pierre Curie she discovered the radioactive elements polonium and radium in 1898.

Born Karol Józef Wojtyła, the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and the second longest serving pope in history. He is recognised as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century, contributing to the fall of communism in Europe.

Roman Polański

Lech Wałęsa

Robert Lewandowski

Renowned filmmaker and director of such classics as ‘Rosemary’s Baby’, ‘Chinatown’, and ‘The Pianist’. He has been nominated for 6 Oscars (winning Best Director for ‘The Pianist’) and won numerous other awards.

Co-founded ‘Solidarność’ (Eng: Solidarity), the first independent trade union in the Soviet bloc. In 1983 he won the Nobel Peace Prize and in 1990 became the first democratically elected President of Poland.

One of the best football players in the world.

German Bundesliga Player of the 2012 Season and twice Polish player of the year. He has appeared over 120 times for Borussia Dortmund and over 60 times for the Polish national team.

(1473-1543)

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(1857-1924)

Poles have had a huge impact on the world, from science to culture to sport to religion to politics. Without the contribution of Poles our world would certainly look much different than it does today. Here are some of the most famous Poles in history – some of whom you may not have even known were Polish.

(born 1933)

(1629-1696)

(1867-1934)

(Born 1943)

(1810-1849)

(1920-2005)

(born 1988)

BASIC FACTS ABOUT POLAND

Main cities in Poland

Poland has several large cities, forming the economic backbone of the country. They are a diverse set with varying histories, but all offer a wide array of business opportunities and cultural activities.

Warsaw

Cracow

Łódź

Wrocław

Poznań

Gdańsk

Katowice

pop. 1.7 million

pop. 760,000

pop. 740,000

pop. 630,000

pop. 550,000

pop. 460,000

pop. 307,000

Poland's capital city, and its most important business and economic centre. Almost entirely destroyed in WWII and rebuilt during the second half of the 20th century.

Capital of Poland from 1038 to 1569.

Considered the cultural capital of Poland, it is famous for its historic sites, including Wawel Castle.

Located in central Poland. Mostly known for textile production in the 19th century.

Now famous for its film school.

Located in southwestern Poland, at various times the city has been part of Poland, Bohemia, the Austrian Empire, Prussia, and Germany.

Located in westcentral Poland, it lies close to Poland's first capital. Poland's first rulers are buried there.

Home of Poland's shipbuilding industry and the birthplace of the Solidarność movement. Lies on the coast of the Baltic Sea.

Poland's southern industrial hub.

Lies at the centre of the largest conurbation in the country, numbering about 2.7 million.

BASIC FACTS ABOUT POLAND

Important dates The May Holiday The first three days of May in Poland are referred to as ‘Majówka’ (a pun on the name of the month which can also mean ‘May Day Picnic’). The ‘State Holiday’ falls on on 1 May, Flag Day on 2 May and Constitution Day, commemorating the signing of the first constitution in Europe in 1791, on 3 May. Poles generally don’t receive 71 a day off work on 2 May, though many take a day of vacation, in order to make for a three-day break from work.

Many of Poland’s public holidays have religious roots, a function of the strong role the Roman Catholic Church has played over the years. These include All Saints Day, on 1 November, when Polish people return to their home towns to remember family members who have passed away.

The most important patriotic national holiday is Independence Day, on 11 November, marking the day in 1918 when Poland regained its territory after 123 years of having been wiped off the map of Europe. Some other dates marking important events in the country’s history are observed, though these are not always official public holidays.

1 May 6 January Epiphany, or the Holiday of the Three Kings. Reinstated in 2010 after having been discontinued by the communist authorities in 1960.

Officially the ‘State Holiday’, this date was set by communist authorities as Labour Day and is still informally known in Poland as such. 1 May is also the date of Poland’s entrance into the European Union (in 2004).

1 August

15 August

The anniversary of the start of the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, not officially a public or national holiday.

However, for one minute at 5pm, sirens sound and the entire city of Warsaw stands still to honour the memory of those who fought.

The Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

It is also Polish Army Day, which commemorates the Miracle on the Vistula in 1920, when the Polish army defeated the Soviet Army, stopping the spread of communism and Soviet totalitarianism in Europe.

3 May Constitution Day, commemorating Poland’s adoption of the first constitution in Europe in 1791.

4 June The anniversary of Poland’s 1989 first partially free elections after communist time. Not officially a public holiday, but known in Poland as ‘Freedom Day’.

11 November 1 November All Saints Day, when families typically get together to leave candles on the graves of their loved ones.

Independence Day, when Poland, became sovereign after 123 years under foreign rule. That day, Józef Piłsudski, as an informal head of the country took over authority over the re-emerging Polish state.

BASIC FACTS ABOUT POLAND

Visiting Poland for pleasure 92%

In 2012 the number of tourists visiting Poland grew by 11% to reach

In 2013 the number of tourists visiting Poland grew by 7% to reach

14.8 million 15.8 million

of foreign visitors to UEFA Euro 2012 said that they would recommend Poland to others as a place to visit..

Poland has something for every tourist. Nature lovers can enjoy miles of seaside, rugged mountains, clear lakes and flowing rivers. History buffs can tour churches that are hundreds of years old and castles that played a key role in shaping European history.

Those interested in culture can get their fill of museums, monuments and architecture. No wonder an increasing number of tourists visit Poland each year.

In 2013 tourists visiting Poland have left in the country

€10bn

Poland’s UNESCO World Heritage sites: - Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp - Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork - Centennial Hall in Wrocław - Churches of Peace in Jawor and Świdnica - Historic Centre of Kraków - Historic Centre of Warsaw - Kalwaria Zebrzydowska: the Mannerist Architectural and Park Landscape Complex and Pilgrimage Park - Medieval Town of Toruń - Muskauer Park / Park Mużakowski - Old City of Zamość - Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines - Wooden Tserkvas of the Carpathian Region - Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska - Białowieża Forest

The Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork

Białowieża Forest -

Wieliczka Salt Mine

The largest Medieval castle in Europe. The red-brick castle was the seat of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order and the largest structure of its kind in medieval Europe.

Last part of the primaeval forest, which long time ago covered the whole continent. Now home to the European bison, one of the symbols of Poland.

The oldest active salt mine in the world. In the mine there is an underground post office, a restaurant, a cinema, as well as a health resort in which allergies and asthma are treated.

BASIC FACTS ABOUT POLAND

Visiting Poland for business 38.5 million Poland’s population makes it

the largest market in the region.

71 Domestic demand has risen steadily for over a decade.

Poland is a highly attractive location for investment and business expansion. According to a report on European attractiveness by Ernst & Young, in the next three years Poland will be the second most attractive investment destination in Europe, overtaking the UK, France and Russia.

Highlighting Poland’s stable macroeconomic situation, the report mentions the availability of well-qualified and productive employees as a key strength, as well as its business-friendly climate and transparent tax and legal systems

Poland placed 50th in the 2014 Index of Economic Freedom ranking

by The Wall Street Journal and the Heritage Foundation. It is higher than such competitors for investment as Hungary, Slovakia, France, Romania and Turkey.

Foreign direct investment into Poland

€15.6bn

€17.2bn

€10.3bn €8.3bn

Poland ranked 45th out of 189 countries for ease of doing business by the World Bank.

Xavier Devictor, World Bank country manager for Poland and the Baltic states, called Poland “champion of the region.”

€10.1bn

€9.9bn

2008

2009

95%

of foreign investors in Poland would choose the country as a place to invest in again.

€14.8bn €10.5bn

€4.3bn

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2010

2011

BASIC FACTS ABOUT POLAND

The most iconic building

Height: 237m 42 floors 3,288 rooms

3,500 Hated by some, loved by others, the Palace of Culture and Science (Pałac Kultury i Nauki, PKiN) in Warsaw is arguably the most controversial building in Poland. A “gift” from the Soviet Union to the people of Poland, it was originally named after Joseph Stalin. For many Poles it still epitomises post-war Soviet domination, while others embrace it as an iconic landmark and symbol of the city. Today it is a tourist attraction and an office building, and also hosts pubs, museums, cinemas, a concert hall, a theatre and a university.

Area: 123,000 m2

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Palace of Culture and Science

construction workers from the Soviet Union built the edifice

Construction lasted from 1952-1955

By the end of 2013 the building was

the tallest in Poland, 6th tallest in the EU, 187th tallest in the world

POLAND’S ECONOMY

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Poland’s economy over 30 years ago started its trasnformation process, from communist planned economy to free market and is catching up, thanks to its substantial GDP growth, with largest western economies. Poland’s financial system employs the same open market practices as the rest of the EU, whilst managing to avoid some of the pitfalls which have led other member states into recession during the recent global financial crisis.

POLAND’S ECONOMY

Economic overview

biggest economy in Central Europe 6th largest in the EU

$12,708

$489bn

71

GDP per capita (nominal, current prices):

Following worldwide unique time of over 20 years of constant economic growth, Poland is recognised as a high-income economy by the World Bank and the OECD with nominal GDP per capita having risen to $12,708. Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, Poland has refashioned itself as a model for free-market economics. It is the largest economy in Central Europe, the 6th largest in the EU and, depending on the measurement, 19th to 21st largest in the world.

Total GDP (nominal, current prices):

International rating (Jan 2014):

AA2 Astable stable stable Fitch

Moody’s

S&P

Long-term growth projections conclude that Poland will continue to grow faster than Western Europe and thus continue to converge at least until 2030. This would allow it to reach relative income levels of some 80% of the EU-15 average income by 2030.

$1,694 1990

2004 (EU accession) GDP per capita in relation to EU average:

$64bn 2012

1990

2012

2012 GDP per capita in relation to EU average:

51% 66%

POLAND’S ECONOMY

The EU is by far Poland’s largest trading partner accounting for about 79% of exports and 64% of imports.

In 2012 exports represented more than

46% of GDP

€143bn €154bn

Foreign trade In September 2013 Poland saw a record trade surplus of

€673m

Poland’s key foreign market is Germany, which accounts for a quarter of exports.

up from only 27% in 2001.

imports

exports

With its skilled workforce and strong industrial traditions, Poland is Europe’s farming and manufacturing heartland and a major supplier of topquality food, electromechanical products, furniture, vehicles and aircraft. Since 2000, Poland’s foreign trade turnover has increased more than threefold.

€40bn €56bn

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2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

POLAND’S ECONOMY

Economic growth

Total GDP for 2012 (current prices):

PLN 1,595bn

Free float of the national currency helped the country maintain development even in the middle of the global crisis.

In 2012 Poland’s GDP was almost 20% higher than at the beginning of the global financial crisis, a peerless performance among all EU 28 countries.

Total GDP for 1998 (current prices):

Poland’s GDP per capita has rocketed since 1989; more than two decades of uninterrupted growth has made the country a star performer amongst all transition economies. Poland was the only economy in Europe to avoid a recession during the global crisis, benefiting from a depreciated real exchange rate, large domestic market, relatively low exposure to international trade, low household and corporate-sector debt leverage and stimulative fiscal and monetary policy.

PLN 551bn +5.0%

1998

Beginning of the global crisis:

PLN 1,275bn +5.3%

+4.5% +4.3%

1999

2000

+6.2%

+3.9% +1.2%

+1.4%

2001

2002

+6.8%

(total GDP for 2008 in current prices)

+5.1% +3.9%

+3.6%

+4.3% +1.9%

+1.7%

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

POLAND’S ECONOMY

EU structural funds infrastructure and environment 71

human capital innovative economy Poland is the main beneficiary of EU Structural Funds, which will continue to subsidize some of the largest investments in infrastructure, human capital, innovation and ICT over the coming decade. They are helping to close the gap between Poland and more developed EU members.

Poland is eligible for

€105.8bn under the new EU budget for 2014-2020, making it once again the biggest beneficiary among member states. The scheduled funds will boost growth by up to 1.0 percentage point per year until at least 2020.

regional development Within the 2007-2013 period,

European territorial cooperation

91,834 contracts for co-financing were signed with beneficiaries

Under the EU budget for 2007-2013 Poland received some

€101.5bn which financed unprecedented investments in infrastructure and helped to boost Polish economy within past years.

POLAND’S ECONOMY

National currency Jul. 2008 – Feb. 2009, the złoty loses 1/3 of its value relative to the euro. The drop in the złoty makes

February 2009 1EUR = 4.82PLN

Average exchange rates Q3 2013:

Polish exports more competitive

1USD = 3.21PLN 1CHF = 3.44PLN

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and raises the relative cost of imports. The resulting boost in global competitiveness for Polish companies quickly stabilises the Polish economy.

Poland maintains a floating currency, the złoty, which helps to keep Polish products competitive on world markets and insulates its economy from external shocks. The country has an independent central bank with a solid track record of responsible, anti-cyclical monetary policy, as well as a well-regulated and conservative banking system.

Average exchange rate Q3 2013:

EUR/PLN exchange rate

1EUR = 4.25PLN

Poland has pledged to join the Eurozone in the long term, but currently the country benefits from remaining outside the single currency area.

CPI inflation Q3 2013: July 2008 1EUR = 3.20PLN

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Interest rate Q3 2013:

1.1%

2010

2.5% 2011

2012

National bank reserve Q3 2013:

€82.5bn 2013

2014

POLAND’S ECONOMY

Budget and public debt 45.7% GDP

47.1% GDP

47.7% GDP

45.0% GDP

47.1% GDP

50.9% GDP

54.8% GDP

56.2% GDP

55.6% GDP

Public debt Beginning of the global crisis

7.4% GDP 7.9% GDP

Budget deficit Poland’s constitution caps public debt at 60% of GDP – the government cannot take on any financial obligations that would cause that limit to be exceeded. To ensure the level is never breached, Poland has a self-imposed debt threshold of 55% of GDP.

5.4% GDP

5.0% GDP

4.1% GDP 3.6% GDP

3.7% GDP

3.9% GDP

1.9% GDP

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

POLAND’S ECONOMY

Labour market July 2004 Unemployment rate:

Almost 60% of young adults

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(aged 18-24) in Poland are enrolled in tertiary education, the second highest ratio among the OECD countries.

19% Because Poland's labour costs remain considerably lower than in Western Europe, in recent years the country has become a top destination for business process outsourcing and other industries that require advanced skill sets. With one of Europe’s youngest and besteducated populations, Poland delivers motivated talents across all industry segments.

The average monthly gross salary in October 2013 was the equivalent of:

€917

July 2013 Unemployment rate:

10.3%

The retirement age was recently raised to

67 years

Beginning of the global crisis.

Unemployment rate:

for both men and women.

6.9%

July 2004

July 2005

July 2006

July 2007

July 2008

July 2009

July 2010

July 2011

July 2012

July 2013

POLAND’S ECONOMY

Stock market 20 Oct. 2007 WIG20 blue chip index: 3,917.87

WIG20 blue chip index change

€210bn total capitalisation (November 2013)

€60bn

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capitalisation of foreign companies (November 2013)

Dec. 2003 - Dec. 2013

+67.85%

447 The dynamic growth of the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE) has made Warsaw the leading financial centre in the CEE region, attracting a steady flow of IPOs, both domestic and foreign.

WSE, as a well developing company, debuted on its own stock exchange in 2010.

€49.6bn

total companies listed (November 2013)

46

5 Dec 2003 WIG20 blue chip index: 1,484.36

Dec 2003

2012 total share sales

17 Feb. 2009 WIG20 blue chip index: 1,327.64

foreign companies listed (November 2013)

Dec 2004

Dec 2005

Dec 2006

5 Dec 2013 WIG20 blue chip index: 2,497.76

Dec 2007

€200m 2012 average share sales per session

Dec 2008

Dec 2009

Dec 2010

Dec 2011

Dec 2012

Dec 2013

POLAND’S ECONOMY

Key tax rates flat tax

for income below PLN 85k/year for income above PLN 85k/year

standard rate

Since the early 1990s, the Polish tax system has been gradually reformed with the intention of encouraging investment and job creation. In general, the taxation system was created in accordance with EU directives.

reduced rate for certain goods and services super-reduced rate for certain goods and services

19% 18% 32% 23% 8% 5%

corporate income tax (CIT)

personal income tax (PIT)

value added tax (VAT)

Poland offers various tax incentives to investors through a nationwide network of special economic zones.

POLAND’S ECONOMY

Corruption level

Poland ranks

the 38th least corrupt out of 177 countries Like any country that has come out of the throws of a communist regime to undergo a democratic transition, Poland has faced its fair share of business opportunists and corrupt officials. According to international figures, however, Poland is the least corrupt country out of all the former countries of the Eastern Bloc.

according to the international corruption watchdog Transparency International corruption perceptions index for 2013. The 2013 result is a vast improvement on the 58th position Poland received in 2012.

most corrupt

least corrupt

Poland

POLAND’S ECONOMY

Key Polish highflyers Asseco

LPP

PKN Orlen

CD Project RED

Maspex

PKO BP

Grupa Azoty

Morpol

PKP Cargo

Inglot

Pesa

PZU

KGHM

PGE

Solaris

Europe’s 6th largest software vendor

regional fashion giant

top oil refiner in CEE

71

video games developper with worldwide sales

Europe’s 2nd largest fertilizer maker

Poland boasts a number of companies of global standing in the chemicals, banking, retail and transport sectors. Some of these are excellent examples of post-communist state giants successfully reformed to perform in free market conditions.

Due to space constraints, only a selection of the many Polish companies of global standing could be included.

global cosmetics chain

world’s number–one producer of silver, major global supplier of copper

biggest food processing company in CEE

world’s largest salmon processor

rolling stock producer, recent deal with Deutsche Bahn for €1.2 bn

the largest electricity conglomerate in Poland

Kompania Węglowa PGNiG largest coal mining company in Europe

Poland’s incumbent natural gas giant

the largest bank in CEE

Europe’s 2nd largest freight rail operator

Biggest insurance company in CEE

massive bus and tram producer present in 25 European countries

Techland

video games producer with a global reach

POLAND’S INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS

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Poland has become one of the top destinations for foreign direct investment in Europe. There are many reasons for this, including the country’s well-educated workforce, competitive labour costs, huge domestic market, location at the crossroads of Eastern and Western Europe, as well as numerous tax breaks and incentives for investors. Poland has consistently moved up investment rankings over the years, as successive governments continue to make improvements to the business environment.

POLAND’S INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS

The rankings 37% of international companies indicated Poland as the most attractive location in Central and Eastern Europe 71

according to an EY survey of investment attractiveness. Only 15% of those companies pointed to the Czech Republic, 8% chose Hungary and 6% said Romania. Ukraine scored 5%, Turkey 2% and Serbia 1%.

Year after year, Poland moves up in international rankings for ease of doing business and investment attractiveness.

Over the past years, Polish governments have moved to reduce bureaucracy and improve infrastructure. While there is still room to improve, Poland is now the clear leader in its region in terms of its appeal as a destination for business.

Poland was ranked #1 in the region

by Bloomberg as the best country in which to do business throughout all of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The news service cited its growing consumer market and improving infrastructure as key factors. Out of 214 countries, Poland ranked 26th.

Poland ranked 45th out of 189 countries for ease of doing business by the World Bank in 2013 (a rise of 3 places). Xavier Devictor, World Bank country manager for Poland and the Baltic states, called Poland “champion of the region.”

Top 10 FDI destination countries in Europe in 2012

Consultancy firm A.T. Kearney ranked Poland

the 19th best location for FDI in 2013 up 4 places from 2012.

Poland ranked ahead of Taiwan, South Korea and Argentina.

(by number of projects)

Poland placed 50th in the 2014 Index of Economic Freedom ranking of 178 countries by The Wall Street Journal and the Heritage Foundation (a rise of 7 places). Poland ranked higher than such competitors for investment as Hungary, Slovakia, France, Romania and Turkey.

812

410

278

265

244

237

147

145

138

133

U.K.

Germany

Spain

Russia

France

Poland

Ireland

Netherlands

Romania

Turkey

POLAND’S INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS

Workforce productivity (2012):

Labour

$28.1/hour

Bulgaria Romania Lithuania Latvia Poland Hungary was Poland’s 71 Slovakia unemployment rate Estonia in November 2013.

Czech Rep. Portugal* Malta Greece* Slovenia Cyprus

Hourly labour costs

10.2%

While labour costs in Poland are still well below those of Western Europe, skill levels are not. Poland has one of the most educated populations in Europe – almost 60 percent of young adults are enrolled in tertiary education. Poles are some of the hardest workers in the world as well, labouring for more hours than their compatriots in most other developed nations. This has led to a raft of investments in business process outsourcing (BPO) and in research and development (R&D) centres in recent years.

€0

€10

Enterprises with 10 or more employees Data for 2012 Wages & Salaries

Other costs

* Based on a Eurostat estimate for the 4th quarter of 2012. Only the total level is estimated.

The average Pole worked Spain United Kingdom EU27

€20

1,929 hours in 2012

Italy EA17 the fifth highest figure Ireland in the OECD, third Germany in the EU Austria Finland Netherlands France Luxembourg Belgium Denmark Sweden €30

€40

POLAND’S INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS

Special economic zones There are

in an SEZ the entrepreneur can obtain the following privileges:

special economic zones in Poland:

-tax exemption (CIT or PIT)

14

Poland has 14 special economic zones (SEZs), which are administratively separate parts of Polish territory allocated for the running of business on preferential terms. Businesses investing in SEZs can count on tax breaks and other incentives, and can be assured of a specially prepared site. Each SEZ has its own focus: some specialise in serving small and mediumsized enterprises, while others support manufacturing.

Kamienna Góra Katowice Kostrzyn Słubice Kraków Mielec Legnica Łódź Olsztyn Słupsk Sopot Starachowice Suwałki Tarnobrzeg Wałbrzych

Map of special economic zones in Poland

-a site fully prepared for development by the investor at a competitive price -free assistance in dealing with formalities in connection with the investment -exemption from property tax (in certain areas)

Each SEZ comprises

several locations meaning that there is special economic zone territory in all 16 of Poland's voivodships.

Aside from the SEZs, Poland has

numerous industrial and technology parks also with preferential benefits for investors.

POLAND’S INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS

Metropolitan areas There are

913 17 Poland is unique in its region in that the country’s population is not mostly concentrated around a single city. In fact, Poland boasts 7 metropolitan centres with populations of 1 million people or above. There are also a large number of large to medium sized cities (17 with a population of over 200,000). These cities are spread out across the country, meaning Poland offers a wider array of large markets in which to invest. By 2030, Poland plans to further integrate its metropolitan areas into groupings of a larger scale. This integration will be reflected in common institutions and common legal standards.

cities and towns in Poland (2013)

cities have a population bigger than 200,000

million people live in cities bigger than 200,000

of Poles (23.5 million) live in towns or cities

Warsaw agglomeration

Silesia conurbation

Cracow agglomeration

Tri-City conurbation

Wrocław agglomeration

Łódź agglomeration

Poznań agglomeration

Toruń agglomeration

3.2 mln

Map of the biggest Polish cities and towns

8 61%

1.2 mln

2.8 mln

1.1 mln

2.1 mln

1.1 mln

1.2 mln

0.8 mln

POLAND’S INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS

Road system

Road safety in Poland is constantly improving, between 2007-2012, the number of accidents per year fell by about 25% and the number of casualties on national roads decreased by 37%.

Between 2007-2013

Poland ranked #1 in Europe in terms of the growth of the motorway network For an economy to run efficiently, it needs a good system of roads to keep people and goods moving from place to place. In the past few years, Poland has made great strides in this area, significantly increasing its number of express roads and motorways thanks to EU funding. Much of this progress was made in the run-up to the 2012 European football championships. As of the end of 2013, Poland had over 2,800 km of motorways and expressways in use.

Map of the planned motorway and expressway network in Poland

By the end of 2007 Poland had:

By the end of 2013 Poland had:

674 km

1,494 km

of motorways in use and

of motorways in use and

248 km

1,335 km

of expressways in use

of expressways in use

POLAND’S FOREIGN RELATIONS

71

Poland’s actions in the international arena are a reflection of the values that form the foundation of its statehood: democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and solidarity. Since the country’s systemic transformation in 1989, Poland has developed a worldwide reputation as a reliable transatlantic partner as well as a leading European player, acting as a bridge between East and West.

POLAND’S FOREIGN RELATIONS

Architecture of Poland’s international relations

UN

United Nations Twenty-five years ago Poland was neither democratic nor sovereign. It has come a long way since then. Poland is now an active member of the European Union and NATO, as well as all other leading multilateral organisations.

member since 1945

IMF

International Monetary Fund

WTO

World Trade North Organisation Atlantic Treaty member since 1995 Organization

member since 1986

Visegrád Group member since 1991 Weimar Triangle member since 1991

Council of Europe member since 1991 European Economic Area member since 2003

NATO

EU

European Union member since 2004

member since 1999

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe member since 1994

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member since 1996

G6, Group of Six member since 2006 Schengen Area member since 2007

POLAND’S FOREIGN RELATIONS

Poland’s Foreign Ministers K. Skubiszewski Sep. 1989 – Oct. 1993 A. Olechowski Oct. 1993 – Mar. 1995

71

W. Bartoszewski Mar. 1995 – Dec. 1995 D. Rosati Dec. 1995 – Oct. 1997 B. Geremek Oct. 1997 – Jun. 2000 W. Bartoszewski Jun. 2000 – Oct. 2001 W. Cimoszewicz Oct. 2001 – Jan. 2005

Despite numerous changes of government – within a decade Poland held four parliamentary elections, had eight Prime Ministers and five Ministers of Foreign Affairs – Poland’s pro-EU and pro-NATO stance has stood firm since 1989.

A. Rotfeld Jan. 2005 – Oct. 2005 S. Meller Oct. 2005 – May 2006 A. Fotyga May 2006 – Nov. 2007 R. Sikorski Nov. 2007 – Present

Krzysztof Skubiszewski

Władysław Bartoszewski

Bronisław Geremek

Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz

Radosław Sikorski

First Foreign Minister of the Third Republic of Poland.

Fought in the Warsaw Uprising; survivor of Auschwitz concentration camp.

Escaped from the Warsaw Ghetto with his mother in 1943 when he was nine years old.

Awarded dozens of honours and titles including the Order of the White Eagle and Legion of Honour (France).

One of the leaders of the Round Table negotiations that helped pave the way for elections in 1989.

Before acting as Foreign Minister in Leszek Miller’s and Marek Belka’s governments, he was Prime MInister himself between 1996 and 1997.

Granted political asylum in Britain after martial law was declared in December 1981.

Recognized by Israel as a ‘Righteous among the Nations’ for his role in rescuing Jews during World War 2.

Helped negotiate and sign Poland’s accession to NATO.

Graduate of Harvard University (1958), In 1993, he was appointed as an ad hoc judge in the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Along with Leszek Miller, he signed the Accession Treaty that paved the way for Polish membership in the European Union.

Worked as a war correspondent in Afghanistan and Angola during the 1980s.

Awarded the World Press Photo Award in 1987 for one of his Afghanistan photos.

POLAND’S FOREIGN RELATIONS

European Union

Poland joined the European Union in May 2004 after completing comprehensive structural reforms. Ten years after its accession, Poland is now one of the most pro-European member states and an advocate for other countries in the region. It is also the biggest beneficiary of EU cohesion funds. EU membership has helped strengthen Poland’s democracy as well as increase its economic prosperity and open new markets. Poland is now the 6th largest economy in the EU.

38 27 49 million citizens (505 million in total in the EU)

votes in the EU Council (352 in total)

members in the EU Parliament (766 in total)

71

“Our mission mirrors the work of an entire Polish administration and our team consists of experts from most of the governments’ departments. Our goal is to combine the interests of Poland with ideas for the future of our continent.

We participate in all the discussions on Europe while taking care that Polish views are well understood and reflected in EU decisions.

We represent Poland as we know it: a country having experienced European solidarity can largely participate in mastering common challenges.”

Marek Prawda Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Poland to the European Union

Danuta Hübner

Jerzy Buzek

Janusz Lewandowski

Former EU Commissioner for Regional Policy (2004-2009).

First EU Commissioner from Poland.

Former President of the European Parliament (2009-2012), and former Prime Minister of Poland 1997-2001

Current EU Budget and Financial Programming Commissioner

POLAND’S FOREIGN RELATIONS

Polish Presidency of the EU Council Poland took over the EU Council Presidency on the 1 July 2011. With the spirit of solidarity, despite the economic crisis, Poland achieved significant results and made progress on many issues. The sixpack agreement to improve budget discipline by member states and the signature of the Croatian Accession Treaty are the key achievements of the Polish Presidency.

Significant achievements also came in the field of improving the security of EU citizens, supporting the EU single market and strengthening relations as a part of the Eastern Partnership. During the Presidency Poland significantly improved its position and reputation in Europe.

“Poland demonstrated extraordinary capacity during probably the most difficult period since European integration started.”

Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission

“The Polish Presidency was without a doubt one of the very best presidencies we have had.”

Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament

The Presidency logo was created by Jerzy Janiszewski, designer of the now world-famous

‘Solidarność’ logo which became the historic symbol of Poland’s transition to freedom and democracy.

184 days 1,200 trained experts 80 liaison officers Over 30,000 delegates attending meetings in Poland 50 ministerial meetings in 5 Polish cities More than 300 expert meetings and 200 events under the auspices of the Presidency Around 1,500 meetings in Brussels and Luxembourg 53 legislative acts adopted during the Presidency

POLAND’S FOREIGN RELATIONS

Poland’s international initiatives

Poland is committed to helping its neighbours become part of the political, economic and social modernisation processes promoted by the European Union. The European Endowment for Democracy, initiated in May 2013, and the Eastern Partnership, a joint Polish-Swedish scheme launched in May 2009, are two examples of Poland’s increasing international clout.

Promotes democratic rules and norms around the world.

Established in 2000 at a ministerial conference in Warsaw. An initiative of Bronisław Geremek, Poland’s Foreign Minister, and Madeleine Albright, US Secretary of State.

The Community was based on the declaration ‘Towards a Community of Democracies’, signed by representatives of 106 countries.

Reinforces bilateral and multilateral European ties with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

Boosts co-operation in areas such as good governance, human rights and sustainable development. Includes joint efforts regarding visa facilitation, border control and legal integration based on common standards and norms.

Promotes democracy throughout the EU neighbourhood.

Assists civil society organisations, young prodemocracy leaders and independent media outlets. Financed from European Commission funds and member state contributions.

Largest contributors include Poland (€5m).

EED Executive Director: Jerzy Pomianowski, former Polish Deputy Foreign Minister.

POLAND’S FOREIGN RELATIONS

Regional co-operation structures

58 votes Maintaining good relations with all of its neighbours is one of Poland’s main priorities and it is therefore an active member of regional co-operation structures. These structures include the Visegrád Group (Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia) and the Weimar Triangle (Poland, France and Germany).

Poland’s leading role within the Visegrád Group and its deep co-operation within the framework of the Weimar Triangle strengthens its position within European decision-making.

Balance of 71 votes in the EU Council

58 votes

mar Triangle Wei

grád Group Vise

Slovakia (7)

Germany (29)

Hungary (12)

Germany

Slovakia Poland

Czech Republic (12)

France (29)

Poland (27)

France

Hungary Czech Republic

European Union 28 member countries

POLAND’S FOREIGN RELATIONS

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

12 March 1999, Poland's Foreign Minister Bronisław Geremek signs the Act of Accession to NATO in Independence, Missouri, USA.

Democratic elections and the coming to power of a non-communist government in 1989 allowed Poland to develop an independent foreign policy and start setting its sights on NATO membership. Poland became a member of NATO in March 1999 – but it was a long, and at times tricky, journey.

June 1989

Mar. 1991

Dec. 1991

Sept. 1993

Sept. 1993

Sept. 1993

Sept. 1997

Dec. 1997

Mar. 1999

The Polish Round Table Agreement produces partially open parliamentary elections

Dissolution of the Warsaw Pact military structure

Collapse of the Soviet Union. Poland normalizes relations with its Eastern neighbours

Last soldiers of the 58,000strong Red Army contingent leave the country after 48 years of deployment in Poland

President Lech Wałęsa, in a letter addressed to the NATO Secretary General, states that NATO membership is one of Poland’s foreign policy priorities

NATO invites Poland to join the Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme

Accession talks between NATO and Poland commence

Poland signs Protocols of Accession

Poland joins NATO

POLAND’S FOREIGN RELATIONS

Foreign missions Bosnia and Herzegovina Polish soldiers, sometimes under foreign command, such as the lancers in Napoleon’s army, have a long history of fighting abroad.

To this day, Poland continues to take part in a number of peacekeeping missions within the framework of the UN, NATO, the EU and the OSCE. Over the last 10 years some 30% of Poland’s 100,000 troops have gained combat experience on foreign deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2014 Poland is due to become one of the few NATO nations with a certified ability to lead joint multinational allied special operations.

IFOR 1996 EUFOR Althea 2004-present

former Yugoslavia

Afghanistan

118 fallen Polish soldiers on foreign missions since WWII

Enduring Freedom 2002-2009 ISAF 2004-present

Lebanon

Chad

Syria

Haiti

UNIFIL 1992-2009

EUFOR Tchad/RCA 2008-2009

UNDOF 1974-2009

Uphold Democracy 1994

Cambodia

Croatia

Kosovo

Iraq

Congo

UNTAC 1992-1993

UNCRO 1995

KFOR 1999-present

Iraqi Freedom / MND CS 2003-2008

EUFOR RD Congo 2006

UNPROFOR 1992-1995

POLAND’S FOREIGN RELATIONS

Brand Polska

Across Europe and beyond, Poland has received praise for its economic growth, political stability and its governance. The Londonbased Brand Finance Institute has ranked Poland as one of the world’s Top 20 most valuable national brands.

The Miracle Next Door: Poland Emerges as a Central European Powerhouse

How Poland Became Europe’s Most Dynamic Economy

25 May 2012

By Erich Follath and Jan Puhl

With much of Europe still struggling to recover from the impact of the 2008 financial crisis, Poland stands out as an unlikely island of economic success, a place where companies and individuals plan for growth rather than decline. In 2009, when the gross domestic product of the European Union contracted by 4.5 percent, Poland was the only country in the union to see its economy grow, by 1.6 percent. The EU economy as a whole remains smaller than it was at the beginning of 2009 and isn’t expected to recover its losses until the end of (...)

Germans used to think of Poland as a country full of car thieves and post-communist drabness. On the eve of hosting the European Football Championship, however, the country has become the most astonishing success story in Eastern Europe. Relations between Berlin and Warsaw have never been better. There are cities that are as uninteresting as the stone they are made of, rigid and heavy, done up as stylishly as if they had been (...)

27 Nov 2013 | By Stephan Faris

Learning Poland’s Beautiful Victory from abroad: Don’t forget 02 Jul 2012 | By Philip Boyes Poland It has become a ritual for Polish soccer fans to chant ‘nic sie nie stalo’ (nothing bad has happened) after their national team gets prematurely eliminated from a tournament, as is usually the case. Euro 2012, co-hosted by Poland, was no exception. But this time something did happen. Over the past month, Polish patriotism has evolved from a mournful sense of victimhood rooted in the past to a more progressive and positive patriotism.

It is this gelling of Polish national identity that could become the true legacy of Euro 2012. The next few months will be crucial in deciding whether this shift marks a definitive turning point — as it did with Germany after their 2006 World Cup — or if it is merely a passing fad.

Financially, the tournament will (...)

18 Dec 2012 | By M.C.K. While it gets less attention than India or China, Poland has been one of the world’s great development success stories of the past two decades. This is due in no small part to the policies it pursued after the end of Communist rule. One of the architects of those policies, Leszek Balcerowicz, was the subject of a long interview in this weekend’s Wall Street Journal. The article is worth reading, although Mr Balcerowicz’s narrative of Poland’s success and its applicability to the beleaguered nations of the euro area leaves something to be desired. If you want to understand why Poland had a good crisis, you need (...)

POLAND’S FOREIGN RELATIONS

Moldova

Helping others

Ukraine

Polish funds have helped increase local milk processing capabilities.

Polish assistance in the activation and professional development of youth.

Timor Leste

Nepal

Polish assistance helps revive Nepalese countryside.

Belarus

Poland has come a very long way in the last 25 years, but it was not alone – it had help.

That is why Poland takes its duty to help others so seriously.

The objective of Poland’s development cooperation is to create conditions for sustainable development within partner countries. This is done through measures such as promoting and consolidating democracy, helping create efficient state institutions, reducing poverty and raising the level of education.

Poland has supplied medical equipment for the Vitebsk Regional Diagnostic Centre.

Polish funds have helped equip an orphans’ school with modern computer equipment.

Egypt

Polish funds have equipped Cairo hospital with medical equipment.

Tajikistan

Palestine

Polish funds have helped improve water supply for Palestinian schools.

Polish assistance in Central Asia includes support for the professional development of women.

Afghanistan

Polish funds have financed a dam securing water supplies for inhabitants of Tal Bulagh valley in Nawur District.

Lebanon

Polish aid has provided homes to 600 refugee families.

Libya

Polish humanitarian assistance to population affected by armed conflict in eastern Libya.

POLAND’S SOCIETY

71

Polish society is a mixture of old and new, of tradition and modernity. With a population of almost 40 million people, Poles are well-educated, hardworking, entrepreneurial, as well as open to new trends and technologies. Polish society has moved on quickly from the grim communist period to a free-market economy and is a key member of the European Union. Yet it has not forgotten about its past and has kept its identity. Tradition, helping others and religion still play an important role in people’s lives, and family life is seen as the core component of happiness.

POLAND’S SOCIETY

Demographics

71% 81 years life expectancy for women

71

of Poles consider themselves to be happy or very happy in their everyday life.

Only 3% consider themselves to be unhappy

For every 100 men there are 106 women in Poland.

life expectancy for men

72 years Poland’s population is the 8th largest in Europe, 6th largest in the EU and 34th largest in the world

38.5 million

With over 38 million people, the 34th largest population in the world, Poland is a significant player not only on the European stage, but also in the global arena. There are a large number of people of Polish origin around the world too, a figure estimated at some 21m people.

inhabitants

Russia

Germany

U.K.

France

Italy

Spain

Ukraine

Poland

Romania

Netherlands

POLAND’S SOCIETY

Homogenous nation This homogeneity is a relatively recent development in Polish society, a result of the tumultuous aftermath of World War II. Previously throughout its history, Poland had been one of the most diverse nations in Europe.

71

0m

5m

10m

15m

20m

25m

30m

35m

nationality Poland’s population is one of the most homogenous in Europe, with 97.1% being Polish. Amongst them, however, there are several ethnic and national groups bringing a dash of diversity to the population. They include Germans, Ukrainians and Belarusians. The largest, Silesians and Kashubians, are considered linguistic or regional groups rather than ethnic minorities. Some 87.5% of the population declare themselves to be Roman Catholic.

97.1% Polish

religion

87.5% Roman Catholic

POLAND’S SOCIETY

Towns & cities There are

913

61%

Capital city:

Density:

cities and towns in Poland

There are 123 people per square kilometre in Poland, a figure lower than in most Western European countries. Almost 61% of Poles live in towns or cities, compared to an average of 73% in the rest of Europe.

The largest metropolitan area in Poland is the Warsaw agglomeration with a population of 3.2 million. The second largest metropolitan area is the conurbation of more than 10 cities of Upper Silesia, which has a population of 2.8 million.

Warsaw (1.7m pop.)

Main cities: Kraków (0.76m) Łódź (0.74m) Wrocław (0.63m) Poznań (0.55m) Gdańsk (0.46m) Szczecin (0.4m) Katowice (0.3m)

of Poles live in towns or cities

123/km2 83rd in the world

Warsaw city 1.7 million

Warsaw agglomeration

3.2 million

POLAND’S SOCIETY

The Polish diaspora Kazakhstan 100,000

up to

Czech Republic 100,000 Australia 200,000 Lithuania 300,000

30%

A large proportion of Polish nationals who emigrated were Polish Jews, who also make up part of the Jewish diaspora. The Second Polish Republic (1918-1939) was home to the world’s largest Jewish population. Pre-war Warsaw, with 500,000 Jewish inhabitants, was

of people with Polish nationality 71 or descent live outside the borders of Poland

Russia 300,000

the second biggest Jewish city

Argentina 500,000 United Kingdom 500,000

The total number of Poles around the world is estimated at between 55 to 60 million, with up to 30% of that number living outside Poland. This makes the Polish diaspora one of the largest in the world. Reasons for this displacement vary from border shifts, forced expulsions and resettlement that have taken place through centuries, to the more recent political and economic emigration.

in the world after New York.

Belarus 900,000 Ukraine 900,000

Poles participated in the creation of first European settlements in the New World. General Pułaski and general Kościuszko are among the founders of the United States of America.

Nowadays, the biggest Polish city worldwide is Chicago with

Canada 900,000 France 1 million Brazil 1.8 million Germany 2 million

1.8 million inhabitants of Polish origin which makes it even bigger than Warsaw (within its administrative borders).

up to

60 million people of Polish nationality or descent live around the world.

USA 10 million

POLAND’S SOCIETY

Family and work first

85%

of Poles consider family to be the highest value in their life and the main factor contributing to their happiness.

The average fertility rate is

1.30 children per woman.

Poland is a family-oriented nation. According to several reports, Polish people value family very highly. 85% of Poles state that family life is indispensible to making people happy and only four percent of people living in Poland want to be single. Polish people are generally happy with their lives. Some 83% say they have mostly positive experiences on any given day.

49% of Poles want to have two children.

Poles work

1,937 hours a year compared to the OECD average of 1,776 hours.

26% of Poles want to have at least three children.

POLAND’S SOCIETY

A pro-European country 20x30 m The biggest European Union flag ever was unrolled on 14 April 2009

by Polish students in Brussels to celebrate the 5th anniversay of Poland's accession to the EU.

Poland has been the largest net recipient of EU funds, funds which have mainly gone towards regional development and improving infrastructure.

Poles have also contributed greatly to the economies of other EU members, with an estimated two million Poles living in other European Union countries. Poland is one of the most pro-EU countries in the bloc. In a recent survey by the Pew Research Centre, Poland came out as the most supportive, with 68% favouring membership.

10 years after accession

An estimated

2 million Poles live in other EU countries.

68%

of Poles support Poland's membership of the European Union.

10 years after accession

34%

of Poles support the idea of further EU integration.

POLAND’S SOCIETY

Connected society

On average Poles spend

11 hours a week online.

54%

of Poles who access the internet do so using smartphones.

Poles are connected. There are more mobile phones than people and most, 60%, use the internet every day. 76% of Poles have access to the internet at home, many through smartphones.

A total of

56 million SIM cards are in operation in Poland.

96.1% of Poles access the internet every day or at least a few times a week.

75% of Polish internet users buy online.

POLAND’S SOCIETY

A generous nation

over

According to international surveys, Poland is one of the most generous countries in the world. An example of this is the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (WOŚP), which started in 1993. Every year, after Christmas, Poles donate money to the charity, most of which goes to buying medical equipment for Poland’s hospitals.

$170m has been raised

by WOŚP since 1993.

Every year

120,000 volunteers collect money for the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity.

POLAND’S SOCIETY

Skilled, educated, smart and talented

89%

of adults have finished high school, compared with an OECD average of 74%.

In education, Poles perform well compared to other countries.

In a recent international survey, Poland ranked 14th in mathematics in the world and 6th in Europe, 9th in sciences in the world and 3rd in Europe, and 10th in reading in the world and 3rd in Europe. Over half of 19- to 24-year-olds study at universities, while 39% of 25-34 year-olds hold a university-level degree, more than the average across the EU21 countries (36%).

Over 63% of university graduates have obtained a master's degree, the highest figure in the world.

Students' performance in science:

526 pts

Students' performance in reading:

518 pts OECD average: 496 pts (2012 PISA study)

OECD average: 501 pts (2012 PISA study) Students' performance in mathematics:

518 pts OECD average: 494 pts (2012 PISA study)

Second languages spoken:

English: 30% Russian: 19% German: 11% French: 2%

POLAND’S SOCIETY

Spirit of entrepreneurship

27%

of people plan to set up their own company, the 3rd highest score in Europe after Latvia and Romania.

Almost

Poles form one of the most entrepreneurial societies in Europe. This is not only down to education, but mostly due to their openness, courage and creativity when it comes to business. Poles, especially women and young people, are some of the most entrepreneurial and innovative people in the world.

1,000 new companies

70%

of young people in Poland view the idea of self-employment positively, one of the highest proportions in Europe.

are established every day in Poland.

POLAND’S ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

71

The spirit of democracy has survived in Poland despite many trials and tribulations, including long periods of foreign occupation and years of communist subjugation which left the country politically and economically bankrupt. Over the last 25 years consecutive Polish governments have successfully re-built a strong and stable political system rooted in the rule of law and supported by democratic political institutions.

POLAND’S ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

The Polish Constitution

Poland is a pioneer of European constitutionalism. In 1791 the King and Parliament of the Commonwealth of Poland and Lithuania passed Europe’s first written national constitution, later called the Constitution of May 3rd. Poland’s current constitution was adopted by the National Assembly of Poland on 2 April 1997. The Constitution provides for the foundations of Poland’s socio-political system. It also guarantees the basic personal, political, economic, social and cultural rights of its citizens.

The Constitution of May 3rd was the first written national constitution in Europe and

the second in the world after the U.S. Constitution.

POLAND’S ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

Overview of legal system Legislative initiative - Deputies (15) Sejm committee - Senate - President 71 - Council of Ministers - 100,000 citizens

Polish politics is played out within the framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister is the head of government of a multiparty system and the President is the head of state. Executive power is exercised by the Council of Ministers, which is headed by the Prime Minister. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament.

Sejm

Senate

lower chamber of the parliament (460 deputies)

higher chamber of the parliament (100 deputies)

Passes bills by majority vote in the presence of at least half of the statutory number of deputies.

Amends or rejects bills prepared by the lower chamber.

President signs the bill or rejects it (veto).

Constitutional Tribunal checks the constitutionaility of the bill upon a request from the President.

The bill gains the force of law only after it is signed by the President and published in the Journal of Laws.

POLAND’S ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

Overview of judiciary system 71

Supreme Court

Constitutional Tribunal

State Tribunal

Supervises adjudication in

Judicial body established to resolve disputes on the constitutionality of the activities of state institutions.

Responsible for examining cases concerning the infringement of the Constitution and crimes committed by the President of the Republic of Poland, members of government and other senior state officials.

General courts,

which adjudicate in the areas of civil, criminal, family and labour law.

Military courts,

which deal with matters relating to crimes committed by soldiers in active service, civilian employees in military units, and prisoners of war.

Administrative courts, In Poland the courts, with the Supreme Court at their head and together with the independent State Tribunal and Constitutional Tribunal, ensure the rule of law.

which is a separate court system dealing with rulings on the legal compliance of decisions taken by administrative bodies.

Made up of 15 judges chosen by the Sejm for nine-year terms. They are fully independent.

Constitutes one of the formal guarantees of a state grounded on the rule of law.

Empowered to rule for the removal of individuals from public office, to impose injunctions on individuals against their appointment to senior offices and to revoke an individual’s right to stand for election.

The composition of the State Tribunal is established at the first sitting of each new parliament and is binding for its term.

POLAND’S ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

Electoral system 2014/2015 elections: May 2014 European Parliament elections

There are 41 constituencies in Poland, each allotted between 7 and 19 seats. Each constituency provides a candidate list and members of that district vote on the candidates they want to elect. These votes are then counted in the national aggregate to determine the proportion each party will receive. The parties of each constituency then elect candidates who received the most votes in their district.

Additionally, a threshold is used so that candidates are chosen only from parties that gained at least 5% of the nationwide vote.

June 2015 Presidential elections

Political system: multiparty

Voting system: proportional

Election threshold:

participation in allocation of seats: 5% of the total votes cast for party list; 8% for a coalition list.

Constituencies:

41 multi-member

Designation mode: directly elected

Voter requirements: age: 18 years Polish citizenship

October 2015 Parliamentary elections

Structure of parliament: bicameral

Number of seats: lower chamber: 460 upper chamber: 100

Parliamentary term: 4 years

Eligibility:

age: 21 years Polish citizenship permanent residence in the country for not less than five years

Presidental term: 5 years

Eligibility:

age: 35 years Polish citizenship cannot be a member of a political party

54.94% was the turnout for the first round of the last presidential election in Poland (2010). Turnout for the second round was 55.31% 48.92% was the turnout for the last parliamentary elections in Poland.

Voting is not compulsory.

POLAND’S ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

Parliament As in other European countries, the Polish parliament as a representative body took shape through an evolutionary process. The General Sejm sitting at Piotrków which started in January 1493 was of special significance in that process.

It was then that a bicameral parliament was established, consisting of the Senate and the House of Deputies. For the next three centuries the Polish Sejm remained the main institution of the so-called ‘noble democracy’, a unique political system where the nobility, which accounted for more than 10% of Poland’s total population, controlled the legislature and elected the king.

structure of the Sejm: 500 years of parliamentary tradition

Marshal Presidium - marshal - vicemarshals

Council of Seniors Election term:

4 years

460 100 seats in the lower chamber (Sejm)

seats in the upper chamber (Senate)

- marshal - vicemarshals - chairmen of parliamentary clubs - chief of the Chancellery of the Sejm

Standing Committees

27 permanent legislative panels dedicated to different areas of interest. Committees consider bills and issues and recommend measures for consideration by their respective parliamentary clubs.

Parliamentary caucuses parliamentary representations of political parties.

POLAND’S ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

Political parties Parties are listed in order of the size of their representation in parliament as of as of 1 Jan. 2014

Poland's political structure is based on a multiparty system. In the parliamentary, presidential, and local elections candidates supported by significant political parties stand a better chance of success. The political parties in Poland represent a broad range of public consensus, with groups which may be classified as social-democratic, liberal, conservative, national, rural-interest, or populist.

Fascist, nazi and communist parties are prohibited by Polish constitution.

Platforma Obywatelska

Prawo i Sprawiedliwość

Twój Ruch

Civic Platform leader: Donald Tusk

Law & Justice leader: Jarosław Kaczyński

Your Movement leader: Janusz Palikot

Ruling parliamentary coalition:

registration policy:

Platforma Obywatelska Polskie Stronnictwo Ludowe

at least 1,000 supporters signatures are required to register a political party in Poland.

232 seats in the Sejm out of 460 in total (as of 1 Jan. 2014)

Polskie Stronnictwo Ludowe Polish People’s Party leader: Janusz Piechociński

Sojusz Lewicy Demokratycznej

Solidarna Polska

Democratic Left Alliance leader: Leszek Miller

United Poland leader: Zbigniew Ziobro

In the first years of transformation after 1989, the political divide was a clear-cut line between parties that emerged from the anti-communist opposition, and the parties that emerged from the pre-1989 communist monoparty.

Currently, this division has become somewhat less distinct, and in many ways the Polish political scene now resembles European and global patterns.

POLAND’S ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

Government

The Council of Ministers is the collective executive decision-making body of the Polish government. The President appoints the leader of a stable political majority in the parliament as Prime Minister. His cabinet is composed of 19 ministers, who themselves don’t have to be deputies to the parliament. The Council of Ministers is collectively and individually responsible to the Sejm for all the operations of the government.

Head of the council of ministers:

Donald Tusk

The Council of Ministers is currently composed of Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s second cabinet, a coalition between the senior Civic Platform (PO) party and its junior partner, the Polish People’s Party (PSL).

Parliamentary support:

Prime Minister Donald Tusk, PO

Members of the cabinet (below), as of 1 Jan. 2014

Minister of Economy Janusz Piechociński, PSL (Deputy Prime Minister)

Minister of Finance Mateusz Szczurek, PO

Minister of National Defence Tomasz Siemoniak, PO

Minister of Infrastructure and Development Elżbieta Bieńkowska, PO, (Deputy Prime Minister)

Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski, PO

Minister of National Education Joanna Kluzik-Rostkowska, PO

Minister of Administration and Digitization Rafał Trzaskowski, PO

Minister of Health Bartosz Arłukowicz, PO

Minister of Science and Higher Education Lena Kolarska-Bobińska, PO

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Stanisław Kalemba, PSL

Minister of Interior Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz, independent

Minister of Sport and Tourism Andrzej Biernat, PO

Minister of Culture and National Heritage Bogdan Zdrojewski, PO

Minister of Justice Marek Biernacki, PO

Minister of State Treasury Włodzimierz Karpiński, PO

Minister of Environment Maciej Grabowski, independent

Minister of Labour and Social Policy Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, PSL

Chief of the Chancellery Jacek Cichocki, independent

232

votes out of 460 (as of 1 Jan. 2014)

POLAND’S ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

The Presidency Current President of Poland:

Bronisław Komorowski The President of the Republic of Poland is the head of state, the supreme representative of Poland on the global stage and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. He has executive authority and a right to dissolve the parliament in certain cases.

The President has the possibility to initiate the legislative process as well as the opportunity to directly influence it by using his veto to stop a bill. He is elected directly by the citizens.

- former anti-communist opposition activist - former Member of Parliament - former Minister of Defence - former Marshal of the Sejm

Presidential flag Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland

Previous Presidents: eligibility:

5 years In order to be registered as a candidate in the presidential election, one must be a Polish citizen, be at least 35 years old on the day of the first round of the election and collect at least 100,000 signatures of supporters.

Lech Wałęsa (1990-1995)

T wit

Aleksander Kwaśniewski (1995-2005) Lech Kaczyński (2005-2010)

O

POLAND’S ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

Local government 71

Public administration is run by local government and organs of the state administration. Local government is run by the voivodship ‘Sejmik’ (local parliament), voted in every four years in general and local elections. The executive is represented by the mayoral office, run by the mayor who is chosen by the ‘Sejmik’.

The central authority is represented by the voivodship authority, run by the voivode, chosen by the Prime Minister.

The voivode supervises the voidvodship authority.

voivodship

powiat

gmina

Since 1999 Poland's administrative order has been based on three levels of subdivision. The biggest voivodships (regions) are further divided into powiats (counties) and these in turn are divided into gminas (communes or municipalities).

16 380 voivodships

powiats

2,479 gminas

POLAND’S HISTORY UNTIL 1989

71

At various times in its history Poland has had an empire which stretched from the Baltic to the Black Sea, was one of the most cosmopolitan and tolerant nations in Europe, disappeared completely from the map, incurred debilitating losses during war, and was subjugated by foreign powers. But it has never lost hope nor its unquenchable desire for freedom and independence, its fighting spirit or its unbreakable sense of nationhood.

Today the country stands tall amongst the community of nations, an economic, political and cultural leader in Europe, and a beacon of hope for oppressed and transitional nations; that democracy is attainable, even against seemingly insurmountable odds.

POLAND’S HISTORY UNTIL 1989

Main historical events 966

1025

1385

1569

1573

The Christianisation of Poland

Kingdom of Poland

The Polish-Lithuanian Dynastic Union

The Union of Lublin

The First Free Election

Polish queen regent Jadwiga marries the Grand Duke of Lithuania, who adopts the title Władysław II Jagiełło and founds the Jagiellonian dynasty. From now on the Polish king rules the two countries jointly. The PolishLithuanian empire is born.

Spurred on by conflicts with the ever powerful Russia and the failure of Sigismund II Augustus, king of Poland, to bear children – thus threatening the continuation of the Jagiellonian line - Poland and Lithuania enter into a commonwealth effectively becoming a single state.

Sigismund II Augustus dies without having fathered an heir. He is the last of the Jagiellonian dynasty.

His death prompts the first free elections, attended by some 40,000 Polish nobles. From now on every Polish king is freely elected by the noblemen.

71

Poland’s first ruler, Mieszko I, his wife and his court, are baptized.

This heralds the conversion of Poland to Christianity.

There have been many events which have contributed to shaping Poland into the country that it is today. Those presented here only provide snapshots of the nation’s dramatic story, but they offer insights into the unique and extraordinary Polish national identity.

Coronation of Bolesław the Brave. Poland becomes a kingdom under the rule of the Piast dynasty.

1772

1791

1918

1939

1989

The Partitions

The Constitution of May 3rd

Polish Independence

The Begining of WWII

Polish Sovereignty

Poland’s suffers three partitions during its history. The first two, which take place in 1772 and 1793, see Prussia, Austria and Russia annex its eastern and western lands. The third, in 1795, sees the Commonwealth disappear from the map.

Stanisław August Poniatowski, the last king of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, adopts the Constitution of May 3rd, widely acknowledged as being the first constitution in Europe and the second in the world after the U.S. Constitution.

Under the firm guidance of general Józef Piłsudski, Poland finally becomes a state again after 123 years under foreign rule.

The worst of all wars starts by a joint invasion of Poland

by Nazi Germany and the USSR. The post-war global order created by Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin puts Poland within the Soviet sphere of influence.

This heralds the start of a long and painful period of Communism in Poland.

Following a peaceful revolution Poland regains its sovereignty and becomes a democratic state, re-claiming its rightful place amongst the community of nations.

POLAND’S HISTORY UNTIL 1989

Early beginnings

960-992 Mieszko I The baptism of Mieszko I (966) is widely regarded as the beginning of Poland’s statehood. It is also an event which saw Poland surface as a country on the European map. Mieszko I took the title of Poland’s crown prince.

The founder of the Piast dynasty that was to rule Poland for the next 400 years. Mieszko’s marriage in 965 to the Czech Přemyslid princess Dobrawa and his baptism in 966 put him and his country in the cultural sphere of Western Christianity.

Both monarchs are pictured here on their common tomb in Poznań Cathedral.

992-1025 Bolesław Chrobry Bolesław Chrobry (Bolesław the Brave), son of Mieszko I, was Poland’s first king. The exact details of his coronation remain ambiguous, although it is widely believed that he was accepted as the King of Poland by the international community when Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor turned to him for military assistance.

POLAND’S HISTORY UNTIL 1989

The Battle of Grunwald (1410) On 15 July 1410, the alliance of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania dealt a decisive blow to the Teutonic Knights during one of the largest battles of Medieval Europe, widely known as the Battle of Grunwald. Both the Poles and the Lithuanians had engaged in territorial disputes with the Knights for decades, but when Władysław II Jagiełło of Lithuania married Queen Jadwiga of Poland in 1385 and converted to Christianity, the Teutonic Order lost its religious rationale for its continued raids on Lithuanian lands. The Order never fully recovered from its loss in the battle, while the Polish-Lithuanian alliance went on to nearly 400 years of dominance in the region.

Władysław II Jagiełło King of Poland, supreme commander of Polish-Lithuanian forces led 20,000 mounted nobles, 15,000 armed commoners and 2,000 professional cavalry

Ulrich von Jungingen

Vytautas the Great

Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights (killed in action) led 16,000 cavalry, 5,000 infantry and 500 Knights of the Cross.

Grand Duke of Lithuania led 11,000 light cavalry

The Battle of Grunwald depicted in a painting by Jan Matejko.

King Jagiełło's bronze monument in New York's Central Park.

POLAND’S HISTORY UNTIL 1989

The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

In 1618 the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth spanned a grand total of

990,000 km2

The Commonwealth state was 71 established on a formal level at the Union of Lublin in July 1569, but the actual dynastic union occured much earlier,

The Union of Lublin (1569) heralded the creation of Poland and Lithuania as a federation.

The Commonwealth, which was divided into the ‘Crown’ (Poland) and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, is widely regarded as a precursor to modern day democratic states. The power structure consisted of the king, a senate and a lower parliament in which sat the regional nobility.

Even though government was largely centralized, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania retained an autonomous army, treasury, judiciary, administrative body and legal system.

in 1386 when Polish queen regent Jadwiga married the Grand Duke of Lithuania, who adopted the title Władysław II Jagiełło and founded the Jagiellonian dynasty.

The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was marked by high levels of ethnic diversity and by relative religious tolerance, guaranteed by the Warsaw Confederation Act (1573)

modern day Poland (312,679 km2)

POLAND’S HISTORY UNTIL 1989

Poland occupies the Kremlin (1610)

Poland is one of the only foreign powers, apart from the Mongols and the French Empire under Napoleon, to have ever occupied Moscow.

During the Polish-Muscovite War of 1605-1618, Polish troops captured Tsar Vasili IV, the last member of the Rurikid dynasty, and brought him to Warsaw.

He died a prisoner one year later in the castle of Gostynin, near Warsaw. Meanwhile Polish prince Wladyslav IV Vasa briefly held the title of Russian Tsar.

The Poles lost Moscow in 1612.

This period in Poland’s history brought fame to

the mounted Hussars horse cavalry One of their most notable victories was the Battle of Kłuszyn where they beat the Russians despite being outnumbered 5 to 1.

POLAND’S HISTORY UNTIL 1989

Noble Democracy

The first regional councils were set up by the nobility

Poland’s Noble Democracy, a country not governed solely by the monarch, was uniquely enlightened for the times. It allowed the nobility, which made up some 10% of Poland’s population, to elect a king. The period is often referred to as ‘Golden Liberty’ due to the extent of the privileges enjoyed by the nobles.

in 1454 This is seen as the starting date for the Noble Democracy.

The ‘Sejm’ – the early form of parliament – was made up of the king and a chamber of deputies that numbered 170.

The first free election of the king took place in 1573, when Sigismund II Augustus died without having fathered an heir.

He was the last of the Jagiellonian dynasty. His death prompted the first free elections attended by some 40,000 Polish nobles.

Henceforward every Polish king was freely elected.

The election of Stanislaus Augustus Poniatowski in 1764, depicted in a painting

by Bernardo Bellotto.

POLAND’S HISTORY UNTIL 1989

The Constitution of May 3rd (1791) The Constitution of May 3rd was the first written national constitution in Europe and

the second in the world

The Constitution of May 3rd was drawn up to bring back order to a state largely governed on the whim of the nobility.

Henceforth any new law had to be in accordance with the constitution. The constitution strived to set up a more democratic state and erase some of the social inequalities prevalent in the old system.

Notably it placed peasants under the protection of the government.

The painting by Jan Matejko depicts King Stanislaus Augustus on the streets of Warsaw just after the new national constitution had been adopted by the Grand Sejm.

In 1773 the Commonwealth created the Commission of National Education, which brought elementary education to ordinary citizens across the state.

Because of its vast authority and autonomy, it is considered to be the world’s first Ministry of Education and an important achievement of the Polish Enlightenment.

after the U.S. Constitution.

POLAND’S HISTORY UNTIL 1989

Interbellum (1918-1939)

After the war, Poland gained access to the Baltic coast and the government set about building its

flagship military and trade port in Gdynia By 1937 the the port of Gdynia had 217,000 m2 of warehousing space, a 12-km-long wharf and 75 cranes.

In 1918, Poland rose like a phoenix from the ashes of the three foreign empires which occupied its lands for the previous 123 years – AustroHungary, German Empire and Tsarist Russia. Poles began regaining their national identity and rebuilding infrastructure throughout the state. The new republic was faced with the task of economically unifying disparate economic regions, which had previously been part of different countries with little or no direct infrastructural links. Poland maintained a steady level of economic development till 1939.

Within the borders of the Republic in 1918 were the remnants of three different economic systems, with five different currencies.

Following the hyperinflation and monetary chaos of the years after World War I

the Polish złoty was reintroduced as Poland’s currency in 1924.

POLAND’S HISTORY UNTIL 1989

The war with Soviet Russia (1919-1920)

Just a few years after regaining independence, Poland faced an onslaught from a Russian army intent on spreading its Bolshevik ideology westwards. The Battle of Warsaw, in which Poland emerged victorious, was called the 18th most-decisive battle in world history by renowned politician and the British ambassador in Berlin at the time, Lord Edgar Vincent D’Abernon.

The spoiis of war: Captured banners of the Red Army First Marshal

Józef Piłsudski commander of Polish forces.

POLAND’S HISTORY UNTIL 1989

World War II

22 Sept. 1939 World War II started in September 1939 when Nazi Germany invaded Poland from the west, followed soon after by the Soviet Union from the east, in accordance with the RibbentropMolotov pact concerning the partition of Eastern Europe.

Due to Poland’s geographical location between two totalitarian regimes, it was inevitable that the country would find itself in the middle of the global conflict, and suffered deeply with huge losses in population, wealth and infrastructure.

Red Army troops chatting with Wehrmacht soldiers during a joint victory parade in the Polish town of Brześć Litewski, where the two invading armies met.

6 million Polish citizens lost their lives in WWII, which constituted around

15%

of Poland’s pre-war population.

Hundreds of thousands of Poles joined the many underground resistance movements, including 0.38 million in the Home Army, which was directed by the legal governmentin-exile in London.

11 Feb. 1945 The Yalta conference, where the Big Three (UK, US and USSR) decided that post-war Poland would remain in the Soviet sphere of influence.

POLAND’S HISTORY UNTIL 1989

In December 2013, the Polish parliament unanimously declared 2014 the Year of Jan Karski to mark the centenary of this remarkable man’s birth.

During World War II, Karski (1914-2000) was a resistance fighter within the Information and Propaganda Bureau of the Polish underground Home Army. Because of his knowledge of languages, his photographic memory, and extensive training as a diplomat, he was frequently used as a courier tasked with secretive missions accross German occupied Europe. As an emissary of the Polish government in exile, he was the first to inform the allies of the extermination of Jews from detailed personal experience.

Jan Karski's mission for humanity

1940

1941

1943

1944

1982

1994

2012

Captured in Slovakia by the Gestapo and severely tortured, he was later rescued by the Polish underground.

Illegally entered Warsaw’s Jewish ghetto twice in order to report on the deplorable conditions there.

Disguised as a prison guard, he infiltrated a transit ghetto in eastern Poland where Jews were being sent to death camps.

Met U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and other American leaders, reporting on early evidence of the Holocaust and the Polish resistance movement.

His book, ‘Story of a Secret State’, an account of his mission as an emissary of the Polish Underground State and an eyewitness of the Holocaust, is published.

Recognized by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations.

Awarded honorary citizenship of Israel.

U.S. President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Jan Karski the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the highest civilian award the United States can bestow.

POLAND’S HISTORY UNTIL 1989

People’s Republic of Poland (1945-1989)

After World War II Poland was left in the Soviet Union’s sphere of influence. It became a satellite state with a puppet communist government. Poles were oppressed by the state apparatus, their religious freedom was restricted.

Resistance to communist rule was forced underground for the next 44 years.

After WWII Poland’s resistance fighters, known as ‘cursed soldiers’, carried out raids on communist prisons and encampments, killing scores of Soviet agents and freeing political prisoners. The last known ‘cursed soldier’ was killed in an ambush

Wrocław, 9 May 1970.

Celebrating of the 25th anniversary of the victory over Nazism.

as late as 1963,

almost 20 years after the Soviet takeover of Poland.

Pictured is Captain Stanisław Sojczyński, captured and executed in 1947.

POLAND’S HISTORY UNTIL 1989

The Polish Pope (1978) John Paul II On 16 October 1978, to the surprise of the world, the Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyła was announced as the new Pope.

Taking the papal name John Paul II, he was immediately made it into the hearts of the Polish people as the real leader of the nation. His visits to his homeland attracted vast crowds, eager to take hope and inspiration from his words and example. Not long after his first visit in 1979, the first independent trade union in the Eastern Bloc was established.

This was the beginning of the end for communism in Europe.

was head of the Catholic Church from 16 October 1978 to his death in 2005. He was the second longestserving pope in history and, as a Pole, the first nonItalian since Pope Adrian VI, who died in 1523.

John Paul II encouraged Poles to renew their homeland and opened the door to a peaceful revolution under the banner of the Solidarność trade union, which eventually led the country to freedom in 1989.

POLAND’S HISTORY UNTIL 1989

Fall of communism (1989) Economic turmoil in Poland in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union, Solidarność (Eng: Solidarity). Headed by Lech Wałęsa, it soon became a political force.

After Martial Law was declared in December 1981, the trade union persisted solely as an underground organization.

By the late 1980s, it had become sufficiently strong to frustrate the communist authorities’ attempts at reform, and nationwide strikes in 1988 forced the government into open dialogue with Solidarity. This resulted in a peaceful transfer of power, the first free elections in the Eastern Bloc and eventually the transition to a liberal democracy and free-market economy.

Lech Wałęsa ‘Solidarność’ leader, 1983 Nobel Peace Prize recipient and first president of democratic Poland (1990-1995)

The famous ‘High Noon’ 1989 election poster

5 Apr. 1989 Round Table talks Negotiations between the communist government and the opposition led to the first democratic elections in the Eastern Bloc and a peaceful transfer of power.

POLAND’S TRANSFORMATION

71

It was no foregone conclusion that Poland would become a successful economy. In fact the odds were stacked heavily against it. The road has not been easy, there have been many obstacles along the way, but it has now emerged as the most successful post-communist economy in the world. It is a vibrant democracy and a key partner in the European Union.

POLAND’S TRANSFORMATION

The road to democracy 1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2014

Edward Gierek, the First Secretary of the Polish United Workers’ Party, racks up an unsustainable debt to the West.

The crisis grows and with it the number of protests. An independent trade union known as Solidarność (Eng: Solidarity) becomes the main force behind the protests. An increasing number of workers and intellectuals join Solidarity. At its height the trade union numbers 10 million members.

Poland begins its democracy.

The communist party is dissolved and media censorship ends. The Red Army leaves Poland.

Poland joins the European Union in 2004.

Poland is a country that has successfully completed its systemic transformation.

71

An unproductive centrally planned economy is unable to handle the debt payments.

The far-reaching economic and social changes that have taken place in Poland since the 1970s have come about through a combination of many factors; growing social unrest, the rise of the trade union, the fall of the Soviet Union, and ultimately a strong national character prevalent throughout Poland’s road to democracy.

The spiral of debt leads the country into an economic crisis. Basic goods start disappearing from store shelves.

In the face of social opposition and a deepening economic crisis, the troubled communists begin the famous Round Table Talks.

As a result, in 1989, the first democratic elections in the Eastern Bloc take place.

Poland enters the path to reform.

As a result of the reforms, the centrally-planned economy is replaced by a free market. Foreign debt is restructured.

Privatisation begins.

The Warsaw Stock Exchange is launched.

The crisis ends in 1992.

From then on Poland enjoys uninterrupted economic growth, continuing till this day.

In 1997, a new constitution is passed. In 1999, Poland joins NATO.

After the global financial crisis begins in 2008, Poland is the only EU country which does not experience a single quarter of decline in GDP. It is proclaimed internationally as an economic ‘green island’.

It is a stable democracy with a developped free market, a reliable member of the international community and is playing an increasingly important role in the region.

POLAND’S TRANSFORMATION

Salary purchasing power Ham (kg)

The average net monthly salary in 2013 was 2,800 PLN ($900), nominally equal to the average salary in Poland in 1973 ($35).

This allows a comparison on how Poles’ purchasing power has changed over the last 40 years.

71

Chicken (kg)

Public transportation (ticket)

1973

1973

1973

2013

2013

2013

31 / 116,kg

52 / 393,kg

2,800 / 1,138,tickets

Tea (100g)

Bread (kg)

Butter (250g)

1973

1973

1973

2013

2013

2013

140 / 765,packs

700 / 622,kg

165 / 652,sticks

Sugar (kg)

Flour (kg)

Eggs (1)

1973

1973

1973

2013

2013

2013

266 / 712,kg

418 / 1,176,kg

903 / 4,666,eggs

POLAND’S TRANSFORMATION

Solidarność trade union

10

million members 80% of the total working age population, in contrast to two million members of the communist party.

Solidarność (Eng: Solidarity) was an independent trade union founded on 31 August 1980 at the Gdańsk shipyard, as a result of the economic crisis. It was the first independent trade union in the Eastern Bloc. It soon became the leading communist opposition-force in Poland with members totalling 1/4 of the entire population. In 1983 its charismatic leader, Lech Wałęsa, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Lech Wałęsa Solidarność leader and 1983 Nobel Peace Prize winner

POLAND’S TRANSFORMATION

Martial law (1981-1983) 71

The communist government attempted to destroy Solidarity by declaring it illegal and imposing martial law on 13 December 1981. The army was ordered onto the streets, detaining around 10,000 opposition members, and a campaign of political repression was carried out across the country. Solidarity adopted a policy of civil resistance, bringing the nation to a standstill, which only deepened the economic crisis.

Unable to control the situation, the regime was eventually forced to negotiate with the union.

10,000

56

opposition members detained.

people are confirmed to have died due to police action during the strikes and demonstrations, though the figure may be much higher.

POLAND’S TRANSFORMATION

First democratic elections in the Eastern Bloc (1989) Tadeusz Mazowiecki The Round Table talks between the communist government and the Solidarity-led opposition resulted in the first democratic parliamentary elections in the Eastern Bloc. By the end of August 1989, a Solidarity-led coalition government was formed under Prime Minister Tadeusz Mazowiecki, and in December 1990 Lech Wałęsa was elected President of Poland. The country soon changed its name from the People’s Republic of Poland to the Republic of Poland and the crown on the national emblem was reintroduced.

Prime Minister of the first democratically elected Polish government after WWII.

The famous ‘High Noon’ 1989 elections poster.

POLAND’S TRANSFORMATION

Red Army withdrawal (1991-1993) 71

Following the 1945 expulsion of the Nazis by the Soviet army, the latter remained in Poland for decades to enforce communist rule and protect Eastern Europe from a supposed potential invasion by the West. Forty-eight years later, upon the collapse of the Soviet Union, Red Army units began withdrawing from Poland.

The last Soviet soldier left the country in the autumn of 1993.

58,000 Soviet soldiers were based in Poland at the begining of 1991

59

Soviet garrissons were positioned around the country

POLAND’S TRANSFORMATION

The switch, then fast recovery GDP per capita change

$18,608 71

(nominal, current prices)

$14,037 $12,708

$12,622 The Balcerowicz Plan, named after Finance Minister Leszek Balcerowicz, was the first ever attempt to switch from a communist to a free market economy. No country had ever attempted it, and success was by no means guaranteed. Although the immediate social costs were huge, today Poland has emerged as the most successful of the European post-communist economies. It was the only EU state which avoided recession during the recent financial crisis.

$6,685 $3,787 $1,705 1990

$3,867

$3,485

$3,186 $1,694

2012

Belarus

1990

2012

Czech Rep.

1990

2012

Hungary

1990

$1,570 2012

Poland

1990

2012

Russia

1990

2012

Ukraine

+292% +391% +296% +650% +302% +146%

POLAND’S TRANSFORMATION

Key figures in the transformation 71

Poland’s successful transformation was not pre-ordained.

It was not inevitable that the communists’ seeming iron control of the country would be broken. It took men and women of courage and foresight.

Luckily Poland had several.

Lech Wałęsa Leader of ‘Solidarity’ and the first President of the Third Republic of Poland.

Tadeusz Leszek Pope Mazowiecki Balcerowicz John Paul II First democratically elected Prime Minister in the former Soviet Bloc.

Architect of Poland’s economic transformation.

First Polish Pope, widely credited with inspiring Poles to start a peaceful revolution.

POLAND’S TRANSFORMATION

Dramatic contrast 71

The ineffective communist economy was often called the ‘shortage economy’. The centrally controlled supply of goods was never able to fulfil demand. Compared to the free market, it resulted in low-quality production and a constant lack of products. The innate entrepreneurship of the Polish people soon became the foundation of a young economy.

2014

1981

POLAND’S TRANSFORMATION

Revitalising Polish cities

1981 Polish cities have changed immeasurably over the last decades. Warsaw has been transformed from a dull, under-developed city to the vibrant capital of Central Europe – the region’s undisputed political and economic hub.

2014 Warsaw city centre

Warsaw city centre

POLAND’S TRANSFORMATION

The Warsaw Stock Exchange

447

71

16 Apr. 1991

total companies listed (November 2013)

After it was closed in 1939, the Warsaw Stock Exchange was re-established on 16 April 1991.

Only five companies were listed on the first day of trading.

Seven brokerages took part in the trading, and there were 112 buy-and-sell orders with a turnover of only $2,000. Some 23 years later, the Stock Exchange is the biggest bourse in Central Europe, with a total capitalisation of ¤210bn and an average stock sale of ¤200m per session.

46

foreign companies listed (November 2013)

1.5m investment accounts

€210bn total capitalisation (November 2013)

€60bn

capitalisation of foreign companies (November 2013)

first day of trading on WSE

POLAND’S TRANSFORMATION

European growth leader Poland :

46.3% cumulative GDP growth

Poland joins the EU European Union :

Poland has changed significantly since it joined the European Union in 2004. It is now a major player in the bloc. Poles are consistently rated as the nation with the highest support for the EU compared to other member states. Current statistics show that in 2013 68% of the nation supported EU membership.

10.9%

cumulative GDP growth

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

POLAND’S SCIENCE & EDUCATION

71

Poland’s achievements in education bode well for the country’s future. The progress of the past 20 years has impressed international educational experts – in many respects Poland has not only caught up to, but exceeded more developed nations. Polish students regularly score highly in international comparisons.

POLAND’S SCIENCE & EDUCATION

Education

In the 2012/2013 school year, 70% of children aged 3-5 obtained various forms of

preschool education English was taught to

93.2%

After years of communism, in the 1990s Poland has had to adjust its educational system to the new conditions. A new government strategy focused on raising secondary and higher education qualifications, ensuring equal educational opportunities and improving the general quality of education. According to a recent OECD report, Poland is now one of Europe’s leaders in school performance and other countries may have something to learn from Poland’s example.

of all students of primary, lowerand upper-secondary schools in the 2012/2013 school year. The second most popular foreign language was German, taught to 38.2% of students.

In 2012, public expenditure on education amounted to

€15 billion equal to 3.9% of GDP.

89% of adults have finished high school, compared with an OECD average of 74%.

In a PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) 2012 survey conducted by the OECD in 65 countries,

Polish middle school students were amongst the highest performers.

Polish students ranked 9th in science, 10th in reading and 14th in mathematics.

POLAND’S SCIENCE & EDUCATION

Higher education over 2 million students Poland is fourth in Europe (after the U.K., Germany and France) in terms of the number of people enrolled in higher education.

Over

The number of Poles in higher education is growing. Over half of 19- to 24-year-olds are studying and, in the 25-34 age group, 39% hold a universitylevel degree, higher than the EU21 countries average of 36%.

Tertiary education increases the likelihood of being employed: 85% of 25-64 year-olds with a tertiary education were employed in 2011, compared with 66% of those with an upper secondary qualification.

Following the Bologna Process, upon matriculation, standard higher education in Poland consists of a 3-year bachelor's course, a 2-year master's course and a 5-year PhD course.

63%

of university graduates have obtained a master's degree, the highest figure in the world.

0 years

Each year almost

0.5 million young people begin their education at universities and colleges.

5 years

3 years

bachelor's course

2 years

master's course

10 years

5 years

PhD course

POLAND’S SCIENCE & EDUCATION

Poland’s top universities There are over

450

In the 2013 Webometrics ranking of 21,000 universities worldwide

institutions of higher education

seven Polish universities made it into the top 500

The reputation and standard of Polish universities is rising, both as a result of over a decade of concerted effort and improvements in the economic environment. Increasing investment in Poland, particularly in the field of IT, has created better prospects for young people.

234th Warsaw University

311th

Cracow’s Jagiellonian University in Cracow

393rd

Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań

412th

Wrocław University of Technology

431st

Wrocław University

435th

Warsaw University of Technology

488th

Mining and Metallurgy Academy in Cracow

POLAND’S SCIENCE & EDUCATION

International education Every third foreigner studies a medical-related course, every fourth economics or business, over 16% social sciences, almost 13% technical studies and 10% humanities.

In 2013 there were

Polish universities offer high quality studies and are an integral part of European education.

All leading universities offer programmes taught in English, including medicine, engineering, humanities, business and finance. Thanks to the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System), students can be fully mobile and continue their education in other countries.

29,172 foreigners from 142 countries studying in Poland, 17% more than in 2012.

Almost half of foreign students come from Ukraine and Belarus, followed

by Norway, Spain and Sweden.

The Erasmus Program has been running for over 20 years now and has seen almost 30,000 foreign students study in Poland while almost 100,000 students from Poland have spent a portion of their education in another EU country.

POLAND’S SCIENCE & EDUCATION

Historical background

Poland’s traditions of academic education go back to 1364 when King Casimir the Great established the Jagiellonian University, the second in Central Europe (Charles University in Prague being the first). By the end of the 17th century, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth had three flourishing universities providing academic education to both national and international students, the other two being the Vilnius University and the Lviv University.

1110

1364

1747

1773

The first record of a library in Poland.

Foundation of the Jagiellonian University. First in Poland, second in Central Europe.

Załuski Library, the first Polish public library, one of the first in Europe.

Komisja Edukacji Narodowej, the first Ministry of Education in history.

Official inauguration of the

650th academic year of the Jagiellonian University in Cracow

POLAND’S SCIENCE & EDUCATION

Famous Polish scientists, academics & innovators Innovation has always played an important role in Polish science. The first walkie-talkie was invented by a Polish engineer, Henryk Magnuski in 1940.

The bulletproof vest, based on silk fabric, was invented

by Kazimierz Żegleń and Jan Szczepanik. The common paper clip, windscreen wiper and pneumatic shock absorber for cars and aircraft were the works of Polish artist, virtuoso and composer, Józef Hofmann.

However, certainly amongst the many Polish inventors, Nicolas Copernicus and Maria Skłodowska-Curie are the best known and most respected globally.

Nicolas Copernicus

Maria Skłodowska-Curie

Outstanding astronomer, born in Toruń, Poland.

He was the first to develop the theory that the Earth and other planets move around the Sun. His book, ‘On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres’, was a major event in the history of science.

The famous physicist, twice winner of the Nobel Prize (for physics in 1903 and for chemistry in 1911). Together with her husband Pierre Curie she discovered the radioactive elements polonium and radium in 1898.

(1473-1543)

(1867-1934)

Kazimierz Funk (1884-1967)

Jan Czochralski

Biochemist who is credited with being the first to formulate the concept of vitamins. He identified the dietary factors the lack of which cause ‘deficiency disorders’, designating them as ‘vitamins’. This name was accepted by the scientific community in 1912.

Chemist who started the 20th century revolution in electronics. Thanks to him, scientists are able to grow pure single crystals of silicon and semiconductor wafers – the basis of all transistors and modern microprocessors.

(1885 - 1953)

Aleksander Wolszczan (born 1946)

Leading astronomer, professor at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, he also cooperates with Toruń University. In 1990 he was the first to prove the existence of another planetary system in the Universe apart from our own solar system.

POLAND’S SCIENCE & EDUCATION

R&D sector in Poland 80% of firms which currently have investments in Poland are content with their choice and willing to reinvest in the country.

110,000

people work in the BPO/SSC sector.

An estimated increase to 200,000 by the end of 2014.

Over 300 shared services centres (BPO/SSC) in Poland.

For example, in 2006 Intel decided to double the number of employees in its R&D centre.

As the current economic growth model is weakening, Poland has to find new ways to keep its economy competitive, and innovation is key to this.

According to Frost & Sullivan’s Country Industry Forecast, Poland is becoming a very attractive location for research and development investments.

Companies are choosing Poland because of the availability of a highly qualified labour force, the presence of universities, the support of authorities, and the largest market in Central Europe.

120,000

people are employed in the research and development sector in Poland.

45,000 of them hold a PhD degree.

46

initiatives for science and technology parks, 23 already operating.

717

innovation and enterprise centres, including 318 training, consulting and information centres.

“Maybe Poland won’t develop the second Silicon Valley, but for sure it can create a Polish Innovation Valley” – says Xavier Devictor of the World Bank, emphasizing Poland’s potential in the field of innovation.

Aviation Valley is an aviation R&D cluster located in southeastern Poland. The Aviation Valley Association currently comprises over 100 aerospace companies cooperating with Polish universities of technology and public institutions. So far investors include Sikorski Aircraft, Agusta Westland, Siemens, Goodrich, Pratt & Whitney, Hispano Suiza, MTU Aero Engines, Carl Zeiss.

23,000

current employment in the cluster. An estimated increase to 28,000 by the end of 2018.

$2bn

of yearly exports by the companies grouped in the cluster.

POLAND’S SCIENCE & EDUCATION

Latest achievements of Polish science Vibrothermography-based system for examining aircraft skin components Shiba special vehicle with ground-penetrating radar for detection and neutralization of IED threats Methods of manufacture of composite chitosan fibers

For several years after World War II, dialogue and relations between Polish researchers and the global scientific community suffered considerably.

However, after the political transition of 1989, Poles set about modernizing the economy and the research sector with much enthusiasm. Recent Polish achievements in the field of innovative technologies offer reason for optimism.

Polysiloxanes with antimicrobial properties

Graphene Recent discoveries by scientists from Warsaw may revolutionize the computer market. Graphene, an ultrathin allotrope of carbon with extraordinary conducting and mechanical properties, has so far been too expensive in production to be applied commercially.

This barrier was recently overcome by Polish scientists who hold the patent for a production method cheap enough to enable mass industrial application.

Method for applying antibacterial coatings to textiles Method for enhancing heat transfer in the active surface of metal elements New high-capacity lead-acid battery A new generation of UV radiation-resistant textile barrier materials

New electromagnetic field resistant textile barrier material and equipment for the production of this material New generation of composite biomaterials synthesized using polymer matrix modified by nanoparticles Innovative wound dressing made from polymeric materials and modified plant extracts Gryf military robot Direct method for detecting proteins in serum blood Cyberfish – biomimetic mobile underwater robot with undulating propulsion Synthetic carriers of nucleic acids for gene therapy

Method and application system for lacation of cancerous and lesions by EPR Hybrid robot for manipulation of biological cells Non-pressurized powder application method for abrasion-resistant tool coatings Columbus laboratory antennas on the international space station Method for the production of superparamagnetic photoluminescent nanopowders for bioimaging Moon light – speech recognition technology Micro-bioreactors and nano-modified substrates for cell culturing

POLAND’S CULTURE

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Poland is a significant contributor to the world’s cultural heritage. Its art, music and literature are rooted in the Christian tradition and have developed in line with major European trends, while maintaining a unique Polish character.

For centuries Polish culture has been intertwined with the country’s turbulent history and changing geography. As a result, some of Poland’s greatest masterpieces were created outside its current borders. Today Polish influences are found across a wide array of arts, from literature, through design, to film.

POLAND’S CULTURE

The coming of age of Polish literature

Polish literature can trace its origins to the 10th and 11th centuries and includes historical and religious texts written in Latin. The development of the literary tradition in Polish is linked to Mikołaj Rej, who was the first author to write exclusively in his native language.

Often referred to as the father of Polish literature, Rej paved the way for Jan Kochanowski, who strengthened this commitment to the Polish language and is considered one of the greatest poets prior to the 19th century.

Mikołaj Rej

Jan Kochanowski

1505-1569 The first Polish author to write exclusively in Polish. Considered to be one of the founders of Polish literary language and literature.

1530-1584 Commonly regarded as the greatest Polish poet prior to the 19th century.

Rej’s ‘Zwierciadło’ (latin. ‘Speculum’), 1567

Kochanowski’s ‘Odprawa Posłów Greckich’ (Eng: ‘The Dismissal of the Greek Envoys’), 1578

POLAND’S CULTURE

The famous

Early days of theatre and cinema

Polish drama dates back to the 12th century, when it featured religious scenes performed by monks. In the 17th century, Poland welcomed performances by visiting European actors and the 18th century saw the establishment of Polish public theatre, initiated by King Stanisław August Poniatowski.

Just over a hundred years later, Poland saw the birth of its native film industry when the first cinema – Gabinet Iluzji – was opened in the city of Łódź by the Krzemiński brothers in 1899.

1899

Establishment of the first cinema in Poland.

Grand Theatre and National Opera in Warsaw The Grand Theatre in Warsaw, built in 1833 by Antonio Corazzi, has a capacity of over 2,000 seats and is officially one of the largest theatres in Europe.

Here seen in a photo from 1900.

1908

Screening of ‘Antoś for the First Time in Warsaw’, the first Polish comedy.

Warner Brothers Studios

were founded in 1903 in Los Angeles by the Wonsal brothers, a family of Polish Jews that had emigrated a few years earlier.

POLAND’S CULTURE

Spotlight on music Through the centuries Polish music was afforded greater freedom to develop than the other arts. It originates from the folk rhythms and melodies adapted for performances in the homes of gentry. The composer who took Polish music to the international salons, and has become the most famous Polish musician of all time, was Fryderyk Chopin. Considered by many the embodiment of Polishness, Chopin spent most of his adult life abroad. Other famous composers of the same era include Ignacy Paderewski and Stanisław Moniuszko.

Fryderyk Chopin 1810-1849 Chopin grew up in Warsaw, where he completed his musical education and composed many of his works before leaving Poland, aged 20. Here pictured shortly before his death in Paris in 1849.

other famous Polish composers:

Ignacy Paderewski 1860-1941

Stanisław Moniuszko 1819-1872

Rare autographed musical quotation Signed

by Fryderyk Chopin: Op. 53 Polonaise

POLAND’S CULTURE

Spotlight on art

1930 Poland in the pre-war period was one of the most dynamic centres of avant-garde in Europe, with artists such as Władysław Strzemiński, Katarzyna Kobro, Henryk Stażewski and Henryk Berlewi. After the war, and until 1956, Polish art was dominated by ideologically inspired Social Realism. One of the first artists of the new avant-garde was the internationally acclaimed Tadeusz Kantor, a painter and theatre performer.

Today, big Polish names in the contemporary art market include Zbigniew Libera, Mirosław Bałka, Paweł Althamer, Wilhelm Sasnal, Katarzyna Kozyra and others.

one of world’s first contemporary art museums opens in the city of Łódź.

The abstract sculptures of

Katarzyna Kobro

The paintings of

Tamara Łempicka (1898-1980) are recognised as important contributions to the World’s Art Deco heritage.

The giant of painting

Kazimir Malevich

(1879-1935), was born to Polish parents.

(1898-1951) are some of the greatest examples of Polish Constructivism.

The conceptual approach to time flow by

Roman Opałka

(1931-2011) has been recognised by the renowned Centre Pompidou in Paris and New York’s MOMA and now features in their permanent collections.

POLAND’S CULTURE

Spotlight on literature

Poland has made a significant contribution to World literature, with many works recognised internationally. However, these are just the tip of the iceberg – there is an enormous body of writing exploring the essence of Polishness, across a variety of genres, which is considered by many as ‘untranslatable’.

Five Polish writers have been awarded the Nobel prize for literature: Henryk Sienkiewicz, Władysław Reymont, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Czesław Miłosz and Wisława Szymborska.

Ryszard Kapuściński 10 Dec. 1996 Nobel Prize in Literature Laureate

Wisława Szymborska Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) was born in Poland as Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski.

The Oscar-awarded film ‘Apocalypse Now’ was based on his novel.

(1923-2012) acknowledges the applause during the award ceremony that took place in the Grand Auditorium of the Stockholm Concert Hall in the presence of Swedish King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia.

Science fiction author

Stanisław Lem (1921-2006) has had his works translated into dozens of languages.

(1932-2007) was a Polish journalist and writer whose dispatches in book form brought him global recognition

POLAND’S CULTURE

Polish School of Posters Beginning in the 1950s and through the 1980s, the Polish School of Posters combined the aesthetics of painting with the succinctness and simple metaphor of the poster. Posters of the Polish School of Posters significantly influenced the international development of graphic design in poster art.

Their major contribution is in their use of the power of suggestion through clever allusions.

Using strong and vivid colors from folk art, they combine printed slogans, often hand-lettered, with popular symbols, to create a concise inventive metaphor. Prominent contributors included Henryk Tomaszewski, Jan Lenica, Jan Młodożeniec, and Waldemar Świerzy.

The Polish School of Posters combined the aesthetics of painting with the succinctness and simple metaphor of the poster

The Poster Museum in Warsaw houses the largest collection of art posters in the world.

POLAND’S CULTURE

Cinematography Famous Polish directors of photography:

Polish filmmakers excel at home and are a notable influence on the international film industry.

The biggest names are the widely acclaimed Roman Polański and the most prominent figure of the Polish Film School, Andrzej Wajda. Other internationally recognised film directors include Krzysztof Kieślowski and Agnieszka Holland. Poland is also renowned for its numerous directors of photography that have shaped a long list of Hollywood’s high-profile productions.

An important place for Polish cinema is the internationally recognised National Film, Television and Theatre School in Łódź, which produced some of Poland’s most recognised talents, including Wajda and Polański.

Janusz Kamiński Dariusz Wolski Sławomir Idziak

Andrzej Wajda first gained international acclaim in the 1950s and since then has explored themes that are politically or historically important to Poles.

Recently he commited a biographical movie about the iconic Lech Wałęsa.

Krzysztof Kieślowski (1941-1996) The legendary Polish film director is best known for shooting ‘The Decalogue’, and the ‘Three Colours Trilogy’. In 2002 Kieślowski was listed at number two on the British Film Institute’s ‘Top Ten Directors’.

Warsaw, 2001

Roman Polański back in Poland, this time shooting ‘The Pianist’.

POLAND’S CULTURE

Eye on architecture Designed by the late Stefan Kuryłowicz (1948-2011),

Poland’s history has not been kind to its architecture. Many buildings and structures were ruined by wars or by neglect during the communist regime.

Recent years have seen a great deal of revitalisation of urban areas across Poland, with Warsaw becoming the largest construction site in Central and Eastern Europe. Architects of world renown such as Sir Norman Foster, Polish-born Daniel Liebeskind, Helmut Jahn or Skidmore Owings & Merill are building high-rises in Poland. Meanwhile, local architects such as Stefan Kuryłowicz, JEMS or WWAA are also building their reputation with their contributions to Poland’s urban landscape.

Plac Unii in central Warsaw was completed after the architect’s death.

Warsaw alone is a larger real estate market than all the rest of the entire CEE region combined.

The level of new investments is turning the city into a potential destination for architectourism.

POLAND’S CULTURE

A culture of festivals Open'er Festival Begun in 2002, it brings the world's top musical acts to Poland's seaside city of Gdynia.

For about 30 years after its establishment in 1960, the Sopot Music Festival was Poland’s main event attracting international artists. However, much has changed since then – Poland has now developed a rich tradition of cultural festivals taking place throughout the year, many attracting international performers and audiences. There are events dedicated to virtually all types of culture including film, design, dance and music, making Poland an important destination on the cultural map of Europe.

The International Chopin Festival has taken place every August since 1946 in the historic spa town of Duszniki-Zdrój. The town is close to the Czech border, where Chopin spent some recuperative time in 1826 and gave recitals to raise money for local orphans.

Since 1992

Warsaw Summer Jazz Days has attracted world-class performers and promotes contemporary jazz.

Przystanek Woodstock (Eng: Woodstock Station) is an annual rock festival. Over the years it has grown to attract as many as 700,000 people and claims to be

the biggest open-air festival in Europe

POLAND’S LANDSCAPE AND WILDLIFE

71

Poland has some of the most beautiful and diverse natural landscapes in Europe. These include mountain ranges, thousands of lakes, a stunning coastline of sandy beaches, ancient forests and even a desert. Poland’s landscape sustains rich fauna, abundant in rare species of birds and mammals.

POLAND’S LANDSCAPE AND WILDLIFE

Poland’s geography

Poland has a total land area of

312,679 km2 It is ninth in terms of size amoung the 43 countries in Europe.

91% of Poland’s area is covered by lowlands. The rest is 300 m above sea level, with only 0.2% found above 1,000 m.

Poland lies on the European Plain between the Baltic Sea in the north and the Sudetes and Carpathian mountains – forming a natural border – in the south.

Its neighbouring countries are Germany to the west, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south, Belarus and Ukraine to the east, and Russia and Lithuania to the north-east. Poland has a temperate climate influenced both by the wet oceanic wind that blows from the west and the dry continental wind that blows from the east.

POLAND’S LANDSCAPE AND WILDLIFE

Poland’s fauna Poland is the fourth most forested country in Europe, with forests covering about

29.2%

Eurasian lynx

71

of its land area.

grey wolf moose

Poland is home to many species of mammals which are relatively rare in the rest of Europe. This means that when hiking through the hills or rummaging in the forest, one might bump into one of the animals pictured opposite.

European bison

there are

23

national parks in Poland.

brown bear

Many animals that have nearly become extinct in other parts of Europe still survive in Poland.

These include the wisent, also known as the European bison, the Eurasian lynx, and the moose.

POLAND’S LANDSCAPE AND WILDLIFE

The Tatra mountains

2,499 m The highest point in Poland is the Rysy peak in the Tatras.

The largest lake in the Tatra mountains is Morskie Oko (Eye of the Sea). It spans an area of

34.9 ha The Tatras are the highest mountain range in Poland, and the highest sub-range of the Carpathian Mountains. Forming a natural border between Poland and Slovakia, the Tatras span an area of 785 km2, of which 175 km2 lies in Poland.

POLAND’S LANDSCAPE AND WILDLIFE

The Masurian lakes

The Masurian Lake District in northeastern Poland counts around

2,000 lakes on an area of about 52,000 km2.

The Masurian Lake District is a popular tourist destination frequented by lovers of the great outdoors. The most abundant activities include birdwatching, fishing, sailing, canoeing, horse riding and cycling.

The largest lake in Poland is Ĺšniardwy, with an area of

113.8 km

2

POLAND’S LANDSCAPE AND WILDLIFE

The Baltic coast

A distinctive part of the coast is the Hel Peninsula, a 35km-long strip of land separating the Bay of Puck from the Baltic Sea.

The coast stretches

770 km

The Baltic Sea constitutes Poland’s northern border, providing access to the Atlantic Ocean.

Polish tourists flock to the coastal sandy beaches every summer.

Many stay in the Tri-City region of Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot.

POLAND’S LANDSCAPE AND WILDLIFE

The Słowiński National Park

40 m is the height of the biggest dunes in the park.

The national park spans

327 km2 During World War II, the German Afrika Korps trained there before being deployed to North Africa.

The most impressive feature of the Polish coast are the sand dunes of Słowiński National Park, which are gradually eating up the forest that stands in their path.

POLAND’S LANDSCAPE AND WILDLIFE

Biebrza National Park

Biebrza National Park is home to some

270

bird species The area is famous for having more than 1,000 types of plants including many rare species.

Biebrza National Park is the largest of Poland’s 23 national parks. It is most famous for its huge variety of birds. The park attracts birdwatchers and nature lovers from all over the world and is classified as an area of international importance by global ornithological watchdog BirdLife International.

Biebrza National Park covers an area of

59,223 ha

POLAND’S LANDSCAPE AND WILDLIFE

European Bison The bison is the biggest surviving wild land animal in Europe. It typically grows to from about 2.1 to 3.5 metres long and 1.6 to 2 metres tall. Bison in Białowieża forest sometimes weigh as much as

840 kg

Most bison in Poland live in Białowieża Forest. The total population country-wide is about

Almost driven to extinction in the 18th century, the European Bison has been successfully reintroduced to Poland and become a national symbol.

A popular brand of Polish beer (Żubr) is named after the European Bison, as is the worldrenowned vodka Żubrówka.

1,300

POLAND’S LANDSCAPE AND WILDLIFE

Białowieża forest

The oldest oaks in this primaeval forest are

650 years old

Scientists estimate that only some 50% of the fauna in Białowieża forest has been catalogued.

12,000 species Białowieża National Park is the last fragment of the primaeval forest which once stretched across the European plain. It is home to the world’s largest population of European bison and many other endangered species.

have been categorized so far.

The Białowieża National Park spans an area of

105 km2

Białowieża forest became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979

POLAND’S FOOD

71

Polish cuisine has been reborn. Poles who chose Western food at the beginning of the transformation are now rediscovering the original tastes of Poland and seasoning it with creativity. Polish produce is often refreshingly natural and seasonal, full of flavour, having grown from what the land has to offer, both farmed and wild. Through the centuries it has incorporated influences from both minority populations within the country’s borders and from its neighbours. This fusion of tradition, innovation and quality makes today’s Polish cuisine delicious and inspiring.

POLAND’S FOOD

A culinary blend of cultures

Cracow September 1364 The famous 21-day-long banquet at the house of the merchant Mikołaj Wierzynek, initiated by King Casimir III the Great of Poland to mark a meeting of European monarchs.

The feast is now a synonym of indulgence in Poland.

Here seen in a painting by Bronisław Abramowicz (1876), the Wierzynek restaurant still exists today.

Polish cuisine is as rich as its history and culture. As its borders have shifted over the centuries, so it has incorporated and absorbed the influences of its neighbours, including Russian, German, Austrian, Jewish, French and Lithuanian.

POLAND’S FOOD

A modern take

Poland has its

first Michelin-starred restaurant run by the much-travelled chef Wojciech Amaro, a figure very much at the vanguard of this new wave of Polish cuisine.

No doubt there will be more Michelin stars ahead for him and his trailblazing peers.

A new generation of Polish chefs is re-interpreting traditional Polish dishes. This 21st-century take on classic Polish cuisine even has a name: ‘MoPo’ – modern Polish!

The movement is driven by oldfashioned patriotism, taking the best from its Polish roots, and adding a lighter modern touch, using fresh ingredients sourced locally and experimenting with international influences.

Kashi While a traditional Polish specialty, groats (kasza) have been given a modern fusion twist by chef Andrzej Zamoyski, who has created and patented a Polish version of sushi called ‘kashi’, using groats instead of rice.

POLAND’S FOOD

A rich variety of regional traditions Podlasie

71

Thanks to regional variations and specialities, as well as the heritage of its nobility, Poland has a rich food culture. In the south, where the climate is rougher, the food is based on simple, filling dishes. In Małopolska you can feel the Austrian influence, and in Podlasie the culinary traditions from its eastern neighbours are tangible. Thanks to its access to the sea, northern Poland is rich in fish dishes of many different forms. Mazowsze, with Warsaw at its heart, is known for its Old Polish cuisine. This is because in the times of Kingdom of Poland (1815 – 1867) the region guarded the traditions of the country.

Sękacz is a type of cake made from a base of eggs, flour and sugar which resembles a bee hive and, when cut, looks like a slice of a tree trunk.

Silesia

Silesian potato dumpling with a hole in the middle, usually served with meat and sauce.

Cracow

Bagel, a bread of Jewish origin, believed to have originated in Kraków.

Mazowsze

Baked duck, often cooked with apples placed inside, and marjoram.

Kujawy

Czarnina, a dark soup made of duck’s blood with a sweet and sour taste from a balance of sugar and vinegar.

Pomorze

smoked eel and herring, often served in oil and chopped onion as a starter, best accompanied with a good Polish vodka!

POLAND’S FOOD

EU protected specialities 71

For those who love traditional foods, Poland offers a huge variety of products to delight the palate. The country has a total of 36 regional specialities which are protected under EU schemes as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG). The list includes several varieties of cheeses and sausages as well as regional pastries, and specially grown beans, honeys, apples and strawberries.

oscypek This delicious smoked cheese made of salted sheep's milk according to a centuries-old recipe, is a famous product of Poland's mountain regions in the south. The first mention of this type of cheese in Poland goes all the way back to 1416.

rogal świętomarciński Roughly translated as 'Saint Martin's Croissant', this sweet, stuffed croissant originates from Poznań and is traditionally eaten around the feast of Saint Martin of Tours on 11 November. The first mention of the name dates back to a newspaper ad in 1860.

kabanos A long, thin, dry sausage made of pork that is popular throughout Poland. The sausage is typically smoky in flavour and can be soft or dry depending on how fresh it is. It is generally not eaten as a main course, but usually alone or as an appetizer.

mead Four kinds of Polish mead (drinkable honey) have protected designations: Półtorak, Dwójniak, Trójniak and Czwórniak. The drink has been prepared in Poland since the very beginnings of its history. Spanish diplomats in the 10th century wrote about the country's delicious mead.

POLAND’S FOOD

Weekend food markets

8% 9%

of Poles eat their main hot meal outside of the home every day.

of Poles eat their main hot meal outside of the home at least a few times a week.

The best-known Polish local food market is the Warsaw-based

Targ Śniadaniowy Food awareness is rising in Polish society. Poles love fresh, locallygrown or locally-produced food and this has resulted in an explosion of weekend local food markets promoting unique and local food products including hams, sausages, cheeses, fruit preserves, breads, pickled fruits and vegetables, smoked fish, organic oils and honeys.

POLAND’S FOOD

A land of milk, honey …and apples Poland is

the World’s third largest producer of apples.

In 2013 Poland produced 2.5 million tonnes of apples, of which 1 million tonnes were exported.

Historically Poland was known as the land of milk and honey. In the Middle-Ages beekeeping was a serious business – in Poland stealing bees or vandalising bee hives was a capital offence.

Poland is also Europe’s largest producer of apples and Polish markets are blessed with a dazzling number of varieties.

Poland’s most distinctive honey is of the honeydew variety derived from the European Silver Fir which grows mainly in its southern and south-eastern mountains.

According to Poland’s national beekeeper association, Poland had 1.2m bee hives in 2013 and some 35,000 beekeepers.

POLAND’S FOOD

The largest raspberry producer in the world

In 2012 Poland produced more raspberries than any other country, and has been one of the biggest growers of the fruit for decades. In fact, in recent years Poland has become the leading exporter of fruits and vegetables in the European Union. Apples account for around 75% of all fruit exports and a major agricultural export is the mushroom, with 172,000 tonnes in 2012.

127,000 tonnes of raspberries were grown in Poland in 2012.

28,000 ha of land are now dedicated to growing raspberries in Poland.

POLAND’S FOOD

Pierogi Pierogi first appeared in Poland in the

12th century It is believed that they came from the Far East.

One of Poland’s most internationally recognised dishes is ‘pierogi’. These are dumplings comprising a sweet or savoury filling encased in a thinly rolled dough which is served either boiled or fried. The most common fillings include minced meat, cabbage with mushrooms, seasonal fruit or cheese curd.

POLAND’S FOOD

Mushrooms

Mushroom picking is a great Polish tradition. Whole families eagerly await autumn to gather early in the morning in their local woods and pick mushrooms.

Essential knowledge about which varieties are edible or poisonous is passed down from generation to generation of mushroom pickers. The mushrooms are then made into delicious sauces, used as fillings for meat or pierogi, sometimes pickled, and often dried to preserve them for the months ahead.

Poles’ favourite mushrooms include the Red Pine Mushroom, the Bay Bolete, the Chanterelle, the Parasol mushroom and the Suillus luteus, commonly referred to as ‘slippery Jack’.

Jars with mushrooms marinated for winter can be found in nearly every Polish home.

POLAND’S FOOD

Cheeses One of the country’s most distinctive cheeses is

Oscypek Poland is a nation of cheese lovers. Its agrarian traditions mean that Poles were able to develop many types of cheese almost unique to the country. These include the quark cheese, Bryndza cheese made from sheep’s milk and Poland’s version of Edam cheese. Poland is the 6th largest cheese-producing country in the world. Evidence has been found that the first-ever cheeses were produced in 5500 BC in the Polish Kujawy region.

a hard, smoked cheese made from sheep’s milk. It is traditionally made by Poland’s highlanders in the Podhale region. Oscypek gained fame when it was placed on the EU’s ‘protected designation of origin’ (PDO) list.

90

different kinds of cheese are produced in Poland.

POLAND’S FOOD

Unusual dishes Traditional Polish cuisine includes a number of unusual dishes that, while delicious for those accustomed to them, may challenge the palettes of visitors.

Perhaps the most prominent of these is Tatar – raw beef, raw egg, chopped onions, capers and a side serving of pickled cucumber. However, a number of dishes may arouse curiosity or alarm – slimy pickled wild mushrooms, fruit soup, fish in jelly, pickled cabbage and meat stew, tripe soup ... and blood sausage – typically made from pig's blood, liver, lungs and fat mixed with buckwheat! And afterwards why not a glass of ‘kefir’, soured milk, with many claimed health benefits?

As the name indicates,

Tatar

was first eaten by the tough and fearless Tartars. It consists of raw minced meat with raw egg yolk and a little chopped onion, capers and pickled cucumber on the side.

POLAND’S SPORTS

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Whether amateur or professional, as participants or watching from the sidelines, in a team or as individuals, sport in Poland is an integral part of the Polish lifestyle. This is reflected, for example, in the growing number of marathons and cycling races springing up around the country. The country’s celebration of sport reached its pinnacle when the country successfully co-hosted the UEFA EURO 2012 tournament in July 2012 with Ukraine, and the country still basks in the memories of 1974 and 1982, when Poland twice took 3rd place in the FIFA World Cup.

POLAND’S SPORTS

Amateur sports 71

28%

16%

swimming

hiking

of Poles went

The activity levels of Poles is rising. Two-thirds (66%) of those surveyed indicated that they had participated in a sport during the past year, of which two-fifths did so regularly. The main reason given for engaging in exercise was health (70%) or pleasure (61%). Almost half of active people exercised to improve their psychological state and relieve stress, while one-third considered sport a social occasion, an opportunity to spend time with friends or family.

of Poles went

in the last year

in the last year

51%

18%

cycling

jogging

of Poles went

in the last year

of Poles went

in the last year

POLAND’S SPORTS

Professional sports 35%

21%

Football

14%

Ski jumping

10%

Track & Field

Handball

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Football, as in most European countries, is the most popular professional sport in Poland to watch, although the national team is currently not enjoying the success fans may like.

Volleyball remains popular, reflecting the regular strong performances of both the men’s and the women’s national teams.

The popularity of ski-jumping was given a major boost when Adam Małysz was regularly the world’s top jumper a few years ago, and remains popular to this day as a new generation of jumpers emerges.

30% Volleyball

Which sports are Poles most interested in?

14% Boxing

12%

Basketball

9%

Formula 1

POLAND’S SPORTS

Sports stars

Most popular Polish sportspeople (2013) according to the readers of Przegląd Sportowy daily newspaper.

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Internationally recognised Polish sports stars can be found in a broad range of sports – from football and tennis to cross-country skiing, and even include a star of NBA basketball. Since 1926 the most respected athletes have been recognised in the Polish Sportspersonality of the Year contest. The laureates are chosen firstly by the jury and subsequently by fans. Record holders include track and field athletes Irena Szewińska and Stanisława Walasiewicz, ski jumper Adam Małysz and cross-country skier Justyna Kowalczyk.

1.

Justyna Kowalczyk

2.

Kamil Stoch

3.

Paweł Fajdek

4.

Agnieszka Radwańska

5.

Robert Lewandowski

6.

Robert Kubica

(born 1983) cross-country skiing

(born 1987) ski jump

(born 1989) hammer throw

(born 1989) tennis

(born 1988) football

(born 1984) car racing

Olympic champion and a double World Champion, the only skier to win the Tour de Ski four times in a row and one of two female skiers to win the FIS CrossCountry World Cup three times in a row.

She holds the all-time record for most wins in the Tour de Ski.

Following in the tradition of Adam Małysz, this Polish ski jumper won the 2013 World Championships and has 10 World Cup wins under his belt.

At the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics he won an individual gold medal.

In 2013 won the gold medal in the hammer throw at the World Championships in Moscow. His personal best in the sport is a distance of 82.27 meters. He also won gold at the 2011 European Under23 Championships in Ostrava. One of Poland’s best up-andcoming talents.

Reached a career-high ranking of 2nd in 2012, the same year she was in the Wimbledon singles finals, and is a mainstay of the top-10 rankings.

German Bundesliga Player of the 2012 Season and twice Polish player of the year, he is one of the top strikers in the world. As of the beginning of 2014, he has appeared over 120 times for Borussia Dortmund and over 60 times for the Polish national team.

Reached 4th position in the Formula 1 drivers rankings (2008) before an injury in a rally crash curtailed his F1 career.

He has since returned to competitive rally driving, winning the 2013 WRC-2 title.

POLAND’S SPORTS

Adam Małysz, the Polish eagle

Adam Małysz is a ski-jumping legend whose outstanding achievements include glueing 17 milion Poles to their TV sets to watch their hero break another sporting record. In 2000 Poland went crazy for this affable, modest and gifted young man from Wisła who became one of the most successful ski jumpers of all time. After 10 years at the top, Malysz retired from ski jumping and is currently a successful rally driver.

For his sporting achievements, Małysz was decorated by the President of Poland with the Order of Polonia Restituta.

4-time

4-time

4

39

individual Olympic medallist

individual World Championship gold medallist (an all-time record),

individual World Cup titles (all-time record shared with Matti Nykanen)

individual competition wins.

92 podiums in total

POLAND’S SPORTS

Tour de Pologne In 2011 the Tour de Pologne became a part of UCI World Tour, which brings together the world’s greatest road races.

The road bicycle race Tour de Pologne is one of the most prestigious Polish sport events, with an 85-year tradition. The first Tour de Pologne, with 71 participants, took place in September 1928. From the very beginning, it was regarded as one of the largest sporting events in Poland. Until 1992 the Tour de Pologne was an amateur race but, thanks to Czesław Lang – the Polish Olimpics silver medallist and the precursor of Polish professional cycling – it became a world-class event.

The Tour de Pologne 2013 was transmitted by Eurosport, in

20 languages 59 countries and in

2 million spectators watched the race in person.

POLAND’S SPORTS

2012 UEFA European Championship The 2012 UEFA European Championship, co-hosted with Ukraine, was the biggest sporting event ever organized in Poland. Concern that the country might not be able to manage was soon swept away by excitement and then pride as it concluded successfully, generating record attendance figures.

For Poland it has left a strong legacy, both tangible – with an improved infrastructure and the preparation of hundreds of ‘Orliki’ (Eng: "little eagle") football fields constructed around the country – and intangible – showing the world, and Poles themselves, that Poland can successfully manage a major event.

92% of foreign visitors said they would recommend Poland as a place to visit.

88%

of Poles were satisfied or very satisfied with the preparations for the Euro 2012.

80%

of foreign visitors said they would visit Poland again.

POLAND’S SPORTS

Run Poland!

Currently the Warsaw Marathon is the 18th biggest in Europe. In the ten years between 2002 and 2012, the number of participants in the race grew by 220% to

The oldest marathon in Poland is held in Dębno in the north-west part of the country. It was first held on 22 July 1966 to mark the 1,000th anniversary of Polish statehood. Dębno is now considered the Polish capital of marathons.

6,800 runners.

Poland has fallen in love with running. It’s not just jogging in the park, but also participation in all kinds of running events from 5km fun-runs to exhausting marathons. According to research by the Sponsoring Monitor 2012/2013, the number of people running over the last four years has increased threefold. Also, the number and scale of running events, the number of participants and spectators at marathons has also increased.

This trend is characteristic not only of big cities but even for small villages and is irrespective of age, sex and income.

28 Apr. 2013 Cracovia Maraton.

Runners on the streets of Cracow

POLAND’S SPORTS

Polish Winter Himalaism

It is little known, even in Poland, that the first winter ascent of Mt. Everest was accomplished by a Polish climbing team. The golden age of Polish Himalaism recalls the outstanding achievements of Polish Himalayan mountaineers in the 1980s. Called the ‘Ice Warriors’ these mountaineers were world pioneers in ascending the eight-thousanders during winter. The current Program ‘Polish Winter Himalaism’ has been developed to continue the great successes of legends such as Jerzy Kukuczka, Wanda Rutkiewicz, Leszek Cichy and Krzysztof Wielicki.

17 February 1980

The first ever winter ascent of Mt. Everest was undertaken by Leszek Cichy and Krzysztof Wielicki.

Here, the whole team appear at their base below the peak.

POLAND’S SPORTS

Poland at the World Cup

The two most successful periods for the Polish national football team were in the 1970s and in the 1980s, achieving 3rd place in both the 1974 World Cup in West Germany and the 1982 World Cup in Spain. Across the nation, millions of fans of all ages sat glued to their black and white TV’s, willing their team on to glory.

Current Polish Football Association (PZPN) President Zbigniew Boniek launches a trademark attack on archrivals, the USSR, during their match at the ’82 World Cup. The match ended up 0-0 and Poland advanced to the semi-final, while USSR was eliminated.

Polish fans hold aloft a Solidarność Trade Union banner at Poland’s decisive qualifying game with the Soviet Union for the ’82 World Cup.

1974

1982

Having surprised the world by eliminating England in the qualifying round, Poland gave notice that they were serious contenders with a 3-2 victory over Argentina in the first match. They then beat Haiti 7-0 and Italy 2-1 to reach the 2nd round, where they dispatched Sweden 1-0. Next was Yugoslavia, who they beat 2-1. Now only West Germany stood between them and the final, but on a water-logged pitch the Germans won 1-0. The team closed the tournament on a high with a 1-0 victory over Brazil, with Grzegorz Lato scoring his 7th goal to win the Golden Boot prize.

Poland started the tournament with a respectable 0-0 draw against the Italians, followed by a disappointing no-score-draw against Cameroon, but they turned on the goals in the next match against Peru with a 5-1 victory. The next match saw a Zbigniew Boniek masterclass, scoring a hat-trick in the 3-0 win over Belgium. Next came a hugely significant match, in the context of time, against the Soviet Union, which resulted in a 0-0 draw, which meant Poland advanced to the semi-final of the tournament. In the semi-final, without Zbigniew Boniek, who had picked up a 2nd yellow card in the previous match, the team lost 2-0 to a strong Italian team. However they left Spain having beaten France 3-2 to once again earn 3rd place.

POLAND’S SPORTS

Parasport in Poland Natalia Partyka

Poland can be proud of its disabled athletes and their achievements at international sporting events. Polish disabled teams have been participating in the Paralympic Games since 1972, when 22 Polish para-athletes won 33 medals in Heidelberg.

From that moment the number of the Polish representatives and their performances at the Paralympics has grown. Poles have currently won a total of 626 medals at the following 9 Paralympic Games (237 gold, 215 silver and 174 bronze).

(born 1989) is a Polish table tennis player. Born without a right hand and forearm, she has achieved more in sport than most people with two hands and two arms.

3- time Paralympic medalist in Athens (2004), Beijing (2008) and London (2012).

Partyka has also participated in two regular Olympic Games, in Beijing (2008) and London (2012).

XIV Paralympic Games London 2012 were very successful for the Polish para-team.

36 medals 14 gold, 13 silver, and 9 bronze 101 para-athletes represented Poland in London

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT POLAND

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Poland’s diversity becomes apparent when one begins to delve into its most interesting and unusual facts. From being the largest raspberry producer to the country that first built an oil refinery, there are many interesting facts about Poland that will surprise even a Pole.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT POLAND

The modern oil industry began in Poland

On 31 July 1853, Ignacy Łukasiewicz gave a hospital in Lviv a prototype paraffin lamp he had developed to assist with emergency surgery. The staff were so impressed that they ordered more. This is thought to be the first sale of an oil-based product. Realising the potential of this new fuel, Łukasiewicz went on to sink a number of extraction wells in Poland, thus starting the oil industry.

1859 Ignacy Łukasiewicz built the first industrial oil refinery in Ulaszowice, south-eastern Poland.

It is said that John D Rockefeller, when they met in Vienna, proposed to Łukasiewicz that he accompany him back to the US and go into partnership setting up oil refineries. Łukasiewicz turned him down. Rockefeller went on to become the richest person in the world.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT POLAND

The highest peak in Australia is named after a Pole The highest peak in Australia is Mount Kosciuszko, named in honour of Polish patriot and statesman Tadeusz Kościuszko in 1840 by Polish explorer Paul Strzelecki. Kościuszko was a Polish hero who led the uprising against Russia and Prussia which bears his name, in 1794. Earlier he took part in the American War of Independence, rising to Brigadier General, and became friends with Thomas Jefferson.

Paul Strzelecki was a much-travelled geologist who visited, among other places, France, the Americas, Africa, China, Egypt, New Zealand and Australia.

He died in London in 1873.

With 5,300 men, Kościuszko defeated 25,000 Russians at the battle of Dubienka on 18 July 1792

Mount Kościuszko 2,228 m

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT POLAND

Poland has the most nesting storks in the world

During the summer, 25% of the world’s storks nest in Poland.

In the winter they fly south to Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. The association of white storks with newborn babies probably comes the fact that storks often nest on chimneys.

It was said that a young couple would soon have children if storks built a nest on their house.

The stork capital of Poland is located in a hamlet called Żywkowo. Every year the stork population of the village outnumbers the human population by a factor of four, when 100 storks join the 25 human residents. By the end of the season the storks number about 200.

Poland is also home to very rare

black storks

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT POLAND

Poland is home to prestigious studs of Arab horses

Poland is home to a number of esteemed studs, particularly famous for their Arabian purebreds. The largest and most prestigious stud is stateowned Janów Podlaski, close to the border with Belarus, which has a history dating back to 1817. The annual Pride of Poland auction has been held at Janów Podlaski since 1970, with buyers travelling from as far afield as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, as well as Great Britain and the USA, to purchase horses.

A grey mare named El Saghira was sold for

€500,000 at the 44th Pride of Poland auction in 2013.

€100,000 is the average price of a mare at the auction.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT POLAND

Esperanto was created by a Pole

The inventor of Esperanto, the world’s most successful constructed language, was Polish-Jewish doctor Ludwig Lazarus Zamenhof. Zamenhof was born in Białystok in 1859, a city in which four main languages were spoken: Polish, Russian, German and Yiddish.

As a child he observed that this was a root cause of suspicion and misunderstanding between citizens and resolved to create an international language to ease tensions. The first book of Esperanto grammar was published in Warsaw in 1887.

On 22 February 2012, Google Translate added Esperanto as its 64th language.

Lernu, the best known online Esperanto platform reported over 150,000 registered users in July 2013.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT POLAND

Poland’s oldest tree

The ancient yew bears the scars of Cossack sabres from 1813.

A yew tree in Henryków Lubański is Poland’s oldest, estimated to be 1,250 years old. This venerable tree stands in the garden of a former Cistercian monastery. However, the most famous tree in Poland is a large oak named Bartek by locals, although it is much younger, at around 650 years old. Both are recognized as national heritage sites.