Polandian on Sunday #1

Welcome to Polandian on Sunday with a brief summary of what happened this week in Poland.

1. Białystok rejects ‘gay’ logo.

The Mayor of Białystok said this week that the city will scrap its new logo, designed as a part of city’s new PR campaign. Together with the Eskadra company, the city spent lots of cash and effort on its promotion operations, engaging sports fans, and local celebrities. The sudden twist came, when it was discovered that the city’s new logo resembles that of New York Gay and Lesbian Community Center. Białystok, not a particularly gay friendly city, was outraged.

A special investigation, carried out to determine whether the logo was plagiarized, concluded that the resemblance was accidental. This has not calmed the local community. No one wanted the logo any more. Białystok, which intended to project the image of a youthful and modern city, has now become associated with anti-gay prejudice and bigotry. And on object of ridicule, as in this camp video:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GrqexVJ0RQ]

The city of Piekary Śląskie changed their gay coat of arms four years ago. Two miners, pictured in the municipal symbol, used to hold hands (sweet!); now they stand at a safe distance presenting a local church.

2. Witches forecast tsunami for Baltic resorts

Two witches/clairvoyants have sent a fax to Ustka and Kołobrzeg, the popular Baltic seaside resorts, warning about a tsunami they believe will happen in the middle of April. Local officials passed their message to the regional authorities, who will ask experts to investigate the matter.

One of the clairvoyants, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Polish Press Agency that she is sure about the vision of tsunami, and she sent the fax to warn the public. The tsunami, she explained, will be a result of an earthquake stronger then last year’s Scandinavian 4.7 Richer scale event.

Tsunamis and earthquakes, though very rare in Northern Europe, do happen sometimes. The largest tsunami in recorded history destroyed the town of Darłowo in 1497, and carried four ships inland.

Everyone in Pomerania – brace yourselves.

3. How to look good naked?

‘How to look good naked?’ is the title of a British tv show in which the presenter Gok Wan encourages ordinary (or: larger) women to accept their imperfect bodies, and shows them how to choose clothes that match their body shape and look gorgeous. A naked photoshoot completes the makeover.

The British show, which has aired in Poland on TVN Style for the last two years, has been immensely popular. This spring the station decided to launch a Polish version.

The producers, however, made one big mistake. They talk too much. They told Wysokie Obcasy magazine, that they picked women for the show, who were already pretty. Not too fat, not too thin, not too old. Hold on, doesn’t the show say it wants to make ordinary women feel good about themselves?

And how did they find a competent presenter-stylist? “We interviewed 60 gay guys”.

That’s it for the quality stylist advice then.

Polish Gok Wan - Piotr Sałata (which translates as Peter Salad)

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GOING UP

↑ The Wild Cat of Opolszczyzna – the legendary animal – everyone has heard of it, few have seen it. A bit like chupacabra. One thing is for sure: people are being scared big time. Have you seen the kitty? Call 0 800 163 136. No, I don’t mean seen on TVN24.

↑ Marcel Reich-Ranicki – the popular German literary critic – and his exciting biography. How a Polish-Jewish guy, survives the Warsaw Ghetto, becomes a Polish communist agent in London, and then moves to West Germany and earns the status of a literature-superstar! A must-read.

GOING DOWN

↓ John Paul II TV Quiz - you think you’ve seen it all: plastic Virgin Mary’s holy water bottles, nodding St. Christpher car decorations, but now this! Polish public television presents “The Great History Quiz – John Paul II edition” on Monday. How to make spirituality and religion silly? Come to Poland for inspiration (but don’t count on food for thought). Winner of the quiz will take home 50.000 zł.

↓ Sex-business - is being hit by the crisis in Poland really hard. Owners of sex-shops and brothels are reporting a dramatic downturn in income. Condoms sales have, on the oher hand, increased. Back to basics?