Michael Hardenfelt (E-mail: m@hardenfelt.pl) – Tourist guide in Warsaw and the rest of Poland. Phone: +48 600 43 53 83

Dansk version

Poland Here and Now

lecture at the hotel

Tourist guide in Poland – Poland here and now is about Polish society. A tale of modern Poland at the hotel. Economy, people, politics and much more.

#Guide in Warsaw #Local tour guide in Warszawa #Private tour guide in Warsaw #local guide in Warszawa #tourist guide in Warsaw

1.5 hours. You must organise your own meeting room at the hotel.

Price: 400 zloty Only available in conjunction with a city tour.

Individually customised

Poland here and now varies slightly depending on who the audience is. The interests of a group of high school students are different from those of a group of adult tourists, a group of business people or a visit from politicians. I customise each session to the target audience.

Ask questions

I also rely heavily on questions from the participants. The best lectures have been when I haven’t said anything I’ve prepared, but only answered questions from the participants. But of course, it’s up to you.

We talk about the same things as on a city tour

In principle, I say the same things on a city tour and I think it helps understanding when they are said in small portions and in front of a relevant place. But I also understand that some people may prefer not to walk so far, especially in winter.

The programme contains the following elements. As mentioned, they are customised to the recipients and I guarantee that we won’t do them all. Feel free to tick off the topics that we MUST go through.

Michael Hardenfelt talking about Poland

Subjects

Economy

An overview of the economic development of Poland from 1989 to the present, including GDP and unemployment. I present the average wage, low wage, high income and talk about regional differences and current unemployment. Poland’s level of prosperity compared to other European countries.

Going abroad to work

Staying in other countries to earn more money has been a huge thing in Poland. A brief overview of the last 30 years and a little about who is still travelling.

Going to Poland from abroad to work

Poland has received a huge number of foreigners in recent years and the labour market has absorbed them without problems. Who are they and are the new guest workers causing problems?

Wealth and differences in wealth in Poland compared to other European countries

We look at the differences and try to go a bit further than the official figures.

War in Ukraine

What are the attitudes towards the war in Ukraine and the Ukrainians in Poland? What about the old wounds between the two countries?

Religion

Religion in Poland. The church’s influence on people and politics. How is the Polish Pope John Paul II remembered? How does the church respond to problems. Religious education in schools.

Pope John Paul II - Poland - history - Polish legends
The Polish Pope
Abortion

The evolution of abortion legislation. How do people view abortion and what are the laws today? Will abortion be liberalised in the next few years?

Registered partnership/same-sex marriage

Poland is one of the few countries in the EU without a formalised same-sex partnership scheme. What happens at the present.

Gay, lesbian and transgender people

Poland is perceived as a country where people with non-heteronormative orientation have problems. Is this true?

Language

What languages do Poles actually speak and what do young people learn at school

The legal system

What is the essence of the reforms and anti-reforms that have been implemented over the last 9 years, which have put Poland in the doghouse by the EU.

Should we feel sorry for Poland?

Poland is often presented as a suffering society that everyone else just wants to exploit. Is this true and do Poles still think this way?

Education in Poland

How the school system and universities work. How many people get an education and what kind of education. How to finance your life while studying.

Poland and family

Family is more important in Poland than in some other Western European countries, and children stay longer with their parents. Children are also children for quite a long time. What do the structures of a Polish family look like?

Poland as a social state

What is the situation today if you can’t take care of yourself. Who is helping and what has happened in recent years.

Pension schemes in Poland

How are pensions calculated, when do you get them and how much?

Health

How does the Polish healthcare system compare to the rest of Europe? Public and private healthcare.

East or west?

Is Poland East or West or maybe somewhere in between? And what’s the difference?

Where does Poland belong?
Anne Applebaum
Housing

When do you get a home, what does it look like, how big is it and how do you finance it?

Write to me at m@hardenfelt.pl to arrange a lecture at Your hotel