I am trying to avoid being enclosed in my “information bubble”. This is why I am visiting various places in Polish internet, including a popular digg clone – wykop.pl. I want to get an insight into ways of thinking of Poles, who happen to have different views to mine. I have to admit, that recently […]
society
Is air-pollution problem in Poland really a new thing?
Smog recently became a number one topic in Poland. Internet is full of information about smog alarms and yet another safety limits being exceeded. Of course many people already seeks someone to blame, so no wonder, that it become a hot political topic as well. One could get a feeling that smog in Polish cities […]
Kaczyński’s Golem
I need to take break from my “Meanwhile in Cuckooland” series, as the matter in question is not funny. Jarosław Kaczyński rise to power was build on fuelling xenophobic moods in the society and flirting with extreme right. My first ever piece for Britske Listy was pointing out this very problem. Today, actions of PiS […]
I’m dreaming of a Polish Christmas, not those from Coca-Cola ads.
In the last days of November, I switch my British radio off for good after hearing the voice of George Michael for the first time. The fact that a heartbreak song became a Christmas anthem says a lot about how shallow Christmas became in Anglo-American culture. In Britain you want it all, and you want […]
Meanwhile in Cuckooland 5
Click here for previous chapter from the series Click here to see all from the series so far Monday 3rd October was the day of #blackprotest for Polish women. They went on strike protesting against proposed radical changes to already one of the most restrictive anti-abortion law. But right wing journalists got to the bottom […]
What has happened to the Olympic ideal?
Another leap year, another Olympic Games. The whole world is watching closely as athletes compete in noble rivalry. All discord is put aside and amateur sportsmen from all over the planet face each other in a friendly contest to prove yet again that we are all one people. It’s a wonderful, worldwide fete of peace […]
How anti-Muslim hysteria is being spinned up in Poland
It turns out that you don’t have to do much. It’s enough just to place a suggestion, slight reticence, perhaps even without any wrongdoing in mind, and the shit surfaces immediately. Let’s see how it works on the case study of a news story on the Polish portal onet.pl regarding an event that has happened […]
I feel sorry for today’s Scoutmasters
Scouting is great. This is the best adventure that young man can have. One can learn how to be resourceful, how to be responsible for oneself and others and how to cooperate. But – perhaps most importantly – this is where friendships for life are born. My generation already has kids in scouting age and as during every summer […]
Is fuelling hate in Poland PiS’s way to toughen its power?
The situation that had place in Warsaw is really a sad illustration of the current anti-migrants tensions in Poland. On the huge district heating pipe a mural (or rather “rural” – from Polish rura – pipe) was painted. It depicted kids of all nations and races holding hands. Soon the painting became a target of […]
Brits claim to be music lovers but dance only to the beat of their own drum
Don’t get me wrong. Britain is one of the most important places in the history of the popular music. Everyone will find a British band to their taste — from The Beatles to Macc Lads. If you find Iron Maiden too noisy, Capercaillie is there to calm your nerves. But Britain is not the only […]