The First News – opinions, analyses and commentaries on Poland

Poland Now | News

Wish you were beer: Man builds ‘first of its kind’ Irish pub on his Warsaw roof to hang out with pals

EXCLUSIVE: “At first I thought he was crazy,” the 36-year-old Irishman’s wife told TFN’s Stuart Dowell who dropped in for a pint and a chat. “But then I thought at least he will be home more often,” she added.

Sport | History | News

Forty years ago, Wanda Rutkiewicz became the first Polish woman to climb Everest. And then she disappeared in the Himalayas

Although it is widely thought that the 49-year-old perished whilst ascending the third highest mountain in the world, her body has never been found and there are still some who believe she is living in seclusion in the mountains.

Poland Now | News

Drones take to the skies in frontline battle against air pollution

A drone operator receives the result of the analysis in seconds and points the guards to the source. People caught burning garbage, lacquered wood or other objects that emit harmful substances face fines of up to 500 PLN (120 EUR).

Art & Culture | News

Łódź you believe it: Poland’s most off-the-wall city stuns the world with its outsized art

A massive wall-art project brings a dash of colour to the once fading glories of Łódź.

Business | News

So far so Łódź: City of Łódź comes fourth in fDi Global Free Zones awards

Łódź’s success has been a long time coming and the special economic zone has been central to the city turning its once crumbling industrial landscape into a thriving destination for business. Łódź SEZ vice-president Agnieszka Sygitowicz told TFN: “We are the only Polish zone in the ranking, which is a confirmation of the trust that companies in the zone have placed in us.”

Art & Culture | News

Polish writer in the running for famous US literature prize

After scooping a British prize Olga Tokarczuk’s book ‘Flights’ has been shortlisted for the National Book Awards in America.

Sport | News

Ace performance: Tennis duo Kubot and Melo slam their way to double victory in Shanghai Masters

In a stunning display of teamwork, Kubot and Melo won an astonishing 87% of their first serve points and didn't surrender a single breakpoint in over 60 minutes of play, resulting in a stunning 2-0 victory for the dynamic duo.

Art & Culture | Poland Now

New film tells the astonishing true story of when apparition of Virgin Mary appeared on roof of Warsaw church and communist powers tried to erase it

The film is based on a book by local historian Witold Dąbrowski, who discovered microfilms in the National Remembrance Institute with letters about the phenomenon that had been intercepted by the security service. At its peak, around 10,000 people were thronging the area each evening, coming from all over the city and from across Poland. TFN’s Stuart Dowell attended the film’s premiere and spoke to witnesses.

Art & Culture | News

Ink tank: tattoo artist share their skills at international tattoo convention in Warsaw

Some of Europe’s leading tattoo artists descended on Warsaw from October 13-14 to show off their skills at the Warsaw Tattoo Convention.

Poland Now | News

Charities and NGOs get windfall as increasing numbers of taxpayers donate 1 percent of income

Last year saw a 15-percent rise in the number of people donating, with over PLN 761 million going to charities.

Art & Culture | News

Poles to star in new BBC epic war drama

Kot and Wichłacz will join Helen Hunt in the seven-part ‘World of Fire’ series.

Multimedia

Risky Business: Surviving and Thriving in 90s Poland

Ink tank: tattoo artist share their skills at international tattoo convention in Warsaw

The past and the present

Dilapidated old factory transformed into stunning new school