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Even the ancients had the conviction that “navigare necesse est”. Ration! As the sea wolves say, this blue is addictive, and if you add the views, you have a way to perfect relaxation. That’s probably why flapping sails quickly became her greatest passion. Despite the fact that there are blood-curdling adventures, high waves and resistance of matter in the form of an engine, the world from the perspective of water is wonderful, emphasizes Magda Śmigiel from the Yazgot agency, residing at O4 Coworking on a daily basis, a graduate of the sailing patent course organized by Olivia Sports.

Did you come up with sailing weekends by accident?

The sailing adventure begins in Sweden aboard his cousin’s newly bought motorboat. He took us for a ride on the beautiful waters of Gothenburg, with lots of deserted islands where you can eat, sit and relax in the company of crabs in solitude (laughs). In beautiful natural surroundings and in perfect weather. What more could you want?

Your own boat?

First, my husband and I realized that we live by the sea and we don’t take advantage of it at all. The second thought was a sailing course, which I decided to take without being sure that I would be very interested in it. Rather, I wanted to see what it looked like.

Was it a difficult debut?

The first time I went down the water, I couldn’t do anything, although I had a brush with sailing as a child. I got a patent at the camp and it was gathering dust in the basement for years. Now everything turned out to be different, new. First of all, the boat, on which I was only able to handle one jib line (laughs).

But you’ve come to another class!

For such fabulous views I had to! Step by step, I started to take advantage of the classes conducted by Mateusz Kusznierewicz as part of Olivia Sports. Last October we had our last swim and it was time to get ready over the winter to decide whether or not to continue with the classes. After this break, I approached Mateusz with the intention that it would be my hobby.

What do the classes with master Mateusz Kusznierewicz look like as part of Olivia Sports?

The meetings began with a theoretical part, during which Mateusz or another person discusses what exactly we will do on the water. There are interesting questions about sailing. Then people with sailing qualifications or who know how to sail apply, who are joined by amateurs like me. Then a regatta or, in the case of a complete flurry, other sea games (laughs).

What did the beginning of the patent course look like?

First, during the classes, we received information that a course would be organized in 2019. Then we received an invitation and all the necessary information by e-mail. So I applied. The course was organized as part of the Sailing Academy, but the theoretical classes were held at the OBC, which was very helpful. It saved travel time.

^{Fig. Private archive of Magda Śmigiel. Thank you!}

When is a patent within reach?

After a month of swimming, the course – 4 hours on Saturday and 4 hours on Sunday plus 4 hours of theory per week – culminated in an exam.

I can’t believe it went smoothly!

It wasn’t without its adventures. I even had a bath, which – to my surprise – motivated me even more to keep playing. Anyway, it’s not easy so far, because it’s not like you’re standing still and the boat is moving on its own. The number of “strings” that need to be controlled is complicated, so it is a challenge in itself to try to sail, return and moor while mooring where you should. Nothing is simple, from the wind that pushes you down, to starting the engine, which I usually ask my husband to do, because it requires a lot of strength, to setting the sails. Really, you can get off the boat evenly swung – your hands hurt, your hands ache, soreness, wherever you can, because you do everything in a squatting position. On larger, more automated boats, it’s simpler, but there’s less fun. The question is what you like.

Is it sport or relaxation?

It’s hard to say. A discipline that, contrary to appearances, requires commitment and in return provides amazing experiences. A bomb for me, because I like to work hard!

That famous bath was a baptism of fire?

Do I know? I think there are many who have never been overboard. I came out of it unscathed, with only wounded pride. I’ve had the problem of being afraid of big water for years, so sailing is also a way for me to demystify this problem. Despite several dozen hours of swimming, I still remember that water is an element that requires reason, experience and humility. During the course, I learned that nothing can be underestimated, even seemingly trivial elements can lead to an accident. Like a rope wound around a winch. All you have to do is put your fingers in and the sail will suddenly take on wind – then there is a powerful “ouch”.

Do you think a patent is for everyone?

For those who want to. If you approach the subject seriously and work diligently on the course, you will not have any trouble passing the exam. It consists of two parts – a written one in the form of a test and a practical one, where we go out to sea and perform the indicated manoeuvres in the presence of an examiner. They are understanding, because we pass the patent on a boat that is completely new to us, and as you know, the most important thing is to get to know the equipment well. You start the exam with the feeling that you don’t know anything, fortunately the impression of failure passes very quickly, because the examiner gives you a lot of support, and at the same time assesses the way you behave at sea, the degree of mastery of the basics and the degree of mastery of nerves in general (laughs).

What does the patent allow?

It allows you to rent a boat and cruise to e.g. Władysławowo or Szczecin! According to the rules, do not move away from the shore for more than 2 nautical miles with a yacht with a hull length of up to 12 meters. I also can’t swim in the sea waters at night.

Then there is another level of initiation?

Yes, the helmsman, for whose course I am slowly getting ready.

 

DO YOU WANT TO TAKE PART IN THE NEXT OLIVIA SPORTS COURSE FOR THE YACHT SAILOR AND MOTORBOAT HELMSMAN’S PATENT? BE SURE TO TAKE A LOOK HERE!

 

Interviewed by: Dagmara Rybicka, Olivia Business Centre

Oh, what an evening it was! We said goodbye to the summer of 2019 in a truly concerted way. Olivia Camerata, which is part of the Olivia Cooltura project, is called All That Jazz. And it’s true, the camerat’s repertoire abounded in everything that was wonderful, swaying, endearing and beautiful. For a good start, a bit of Fryderyk Chopin, sprinkled with improvisations for piano, then Latin, energizing songs for voices, and in the finale, swinging jazz in an excellent performance. Didn’t that sound like a recipe for a perfect Saturday afternoon?

Saturday’s concert at Olivia Star was opened by Alexander Stupnikov, an artist and composer from Schibsted, a resident of Olivia Business Centre. The second part featured the Olivia Business Centre Choir, and the third part was a jazz feast. We listened to a wonderful swing performed by Krystyna Durys with the accompaniment of a jazz band.

On the Facebook page of Olivia Business Centre you will find the full recording of the concert.

See the photo report from the event. Cinematography : Maciej Roszkowski.

 

About the artists:

Alexander Stupnikov

Alexander Stupnikov from Schibsted recently hypnotized the audience on the 32nd floor of Olivia TOP Star with his “Autumn Waltz”. Inspired by the classics, he relaxes by playing Beethoven and Chopin, challenging himself to Liszt’s technically demanding Second Hungarian Rhapsody. Stupnikov began his musical adventure 14 years ago. He is a programmer by day, but he composes and plays the piano out of passion. During the Olivia Camerata concert, the artist performed one of Fryderyk Chopin’s most outstanding works, “Fantaisie Impromptu, Op. 66” and his own works: Polka in F major and Jazz Impromptu.

Olivia Business Centre Choir

At Olivia, we share a passion. The choir was founded in March 2018 on the premises of Bayer in Olivia Business Centre. Then, on the initiative of conductor Wiktoria Batarowska, the Choir spread its wings and expanded its activities to include the entire OBC. Currently, the Choir consists of 40 people, and has been operating in such a unique composition since 2019. It brings together representatives of a dozen or so Olivia’s resident companies, m.in. AirHelp, Bayer, Energa, GFKM, Nordea, OBC, PwC, Sii, Talkersi and Thyssenkrupp. The OBC Choir made its debut at the Olivia Camerata Easter Concert at Olivia Star with Don Howard’s “Oh Happy Day,” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” a classic ballad written by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg for the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz,” and Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Folling in Love.”

During the concert, the OBC Choir presented the following pieces:

1. “El ultimo Cafe” (tango) by mus. Hector Stamponi
2. “Prende la Vela” by mus. Lucho Bermundez (tenor solo: Hamish Potts, drums: Katarzyna Rozkosz)
3. “Volare” by mus. Domenico Modugno

Krystyna Durys with the accompaniment of the band

Krystyna Durys – a jazz vocalist fascinated by the swing era, inspired primarily by the performances of the queen of jazz, Ella Fitzgerald. She started her adventure with the stage at the age of 7 and continued it m.in. as a member of two youth choirs. The greatest influence on the artist’s vocal and stage development was exerted by the performances of top American jazz vocalists, the aforementioned Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. The final touches were brought by numerous performances with jazz musicians in the artist’s homeland and abroad. She was invited to work with her by m.in. Jan Konop Big Band, Przemek Dyakowski, and Riverboat Ramblers Swing Orchestra. In 2012 In cooperation with excellent Tri-City musicians Marek Jurski (piano, arrangements), Marcin Janek (saxophones/clarinet), Maciej Sadowski (double bass) and Adam Zagrodzki (percussion), Krystyna founded her first jazz band. In 2016 Paweł Hulisz and Adam Wiśniewski joined the team. Thanks to the brass section, the band gained a new big band sound so characteristic of the swing era. In 2014 Krystyna Durys won the Golden Washboard in the vocal competition at the 44. International Traditional Jazz Festival in Iława. In 2017 she won second place in the “New Hope” category and a nomination in the “Female Vocalist of the Year” category of the Jazz Forum magazine. In September 2016, She released her first album entitled TRIBUTE TO LADIES OF JAZZ, which won 5th place in the “Polish Jazz Album of the Year” category and many nominations for other awards. Since the release of the album, the ensemble has presented its unique repertoire in Indonesia, Denmark, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and many times in Poland.

The jubilee, tenth edition of the Olivia Business Centre football league has begun. In the 2019/2020 season, 14 teams will take part in the tournament. The champion will be announced in June.

 

After the summer break, the football community of Olivia Business Centre once again ran out onto the league pitches. The title is defended by the players of the Dream Team Indestructibles Energa. The previous season has already shown that nothing can be taken for granted and everyone has a chance to advance to the knockout stage and triumph in the end. The games promise to be very close and exciting.

 

– The goal for DTN ENERGA for the current edition of the Football League is to defend the championship from the previous season. It won’t be an easy task, because everyone is sharpening their teeth on the master. However, after a few seasons of spending time together on the pitch, we are already a close-knit team, dangerous for everyone – says Bogusław Kowalski, the captain of the team.

 

PwC players are certainly eager for a sporting revenge. Last season, they were tipped as one of the top favourites to win the entire competition, but their participation in the tournament ended in the quarter-finals.

 

– After last season’s disappointment, the fat cats are back on the winning track. Team motto “In order to score, you must score – announces a more practical approach to the subject Bartosz Gronowski, captain of the PwC team.

 

With each passing year, the Staples team is making progress. To keep this trend going, they can’t miss out on the knockout stage this season.

 

– The Staples Solutions team has been strengthened with several new characters this season. Thanks to diligent training and the support of our new colleagues, we are going to be in the top eight teams in the league – says the team’s top scorer from last season, Mateusz Czapko.

 

One of the regular participants of the competition is the Energi Obrót team. The team has one championship to its name, won in the autumn-winter season 2013-2014.

 

– We are so full of positive energy that we will electrocute anyone who stands in our way to victory. Seriously, knowing our worth, we would like to cause a surprise, advance to the play-offs and show our good side there – says Captain Mirosław Grala.

 

There will be no shortage of rookies in the upcoming season. The Schibsted team will make its debut in this division. Lack of experience can make for a slightly more difficult start, but the team is aware of this and prepared for the challenge.

 

– Recently, the number of employees interested in playing football at Schibsted has increased, which allowed us to register an OBC Football League team. We have been training together for some time now and it is clear that we will be a team of players with an equal level, led by the watchful eye of captain Kuba Mosakowski. As rookies, we don’t impose great challenges on ourselves in the first season. We focus on growing the chemistry between each of us. We want to start the season well and if there is a chance to participate in the knockout round of the competition, we will do our best to make it happen – says team captain Piotr Dąbrowski.

 

After a short break, Amazon returns to the league, but the team has refreshed its roster a lot. ” We are a newly formed team, playing together for a short time, our goal will be to gradually get in sync and show our best side while having fun at the same time,” says Igor Kozicki, the team’s captain.

 

The Olivia Sports Football League is a year-round football tournament for residents of Olivia Business Centre. League matches are played in the evenings on a roofed pitch with artificial turf at ul. Haller in Gdansk. Each meeting is officiated by a professional referee. The teams will play in a round-robin format, with the top eight advancing to the knockout stage.

 

We invite you to cheer for us! 🙂

 

See the results >>

Read more about the end of the previous games >>

 

 

He divides his world into two. There is room for those she loves and those who need her. A social activist of flesh and blood, like few others, she can juggle a day so that it is made of rubber. Awarded the Bronze Cross of Merit by the President of the Republic of Poland, she did not rest on her laurels, immediately engaging passionately in a new challenge. Here is the whole Kasia. Katarzyna Laskowska – a volunteer at a shelter for homeless animals, whom she greets us with a smile in the hospitable threshold of the Pomerania Development Agency in Olivia Business Centre.

Is your day made of rubber?

Are you asking about a shelter? I’ve always tried to be useful, and if we want to do something for others, this day is just stretching out (laughs). As my husband says, “Whoever wants to looks for ways, who doesn’t want to look for reasons”. I’ve been a volunteer all my life. For many years I was a scout instructor at the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association in Gdynia. When my ministry and intensive adventure with children and young people came to an end, I felt that I had to find a field in which I would fulfill myself.

Family and work are not enough?

I need to reconcile these two “worlds”, especially since volunteering is a natural thing for me. I believe that with my attitude I instill in my sons that volunteering is a passion, but also our civic duty.

A flesh-and-blood social worker?

Yes. In 2011, my commitment was appreciated by the then President of the Republic of Poland, Bronisław Komorowski, who awarded me the Bronze Cross of Merit for my social activity.

Pets by accident?

Out of passion and love. For as long as I can remember, there has always been a place in our house for every snotty cat and cold dog. The animals we had were never bought, never from a kennel – not because my parents spared money, but because they believed that an animal in need would find you on its own. At some point, my brother and I came up with the idea that we wanted to finish the training and start volunteering in Gdynia’s “Ciapkowo”, which turned out to be a place where we help others by fulfilling ourselves.

What does the training involve?

You learn first in theory and then in practice how animals behave, how they establish relationships and how you should find yourself in it. A shelter is not a home – homeless people who come here often have ballast in the form of dramatic stories, they face traumas, so knowledge is necessary to deal with them skillfully. Practice in this case is actually an exam that shows your skills. For example, you are given the task of walking a dog out of a stall.

What’s the problem?

Apparently there isn’t, but what will you do when there are 8 dogs and you have to take the designated one? Believe me, it’s hard! Just like entering a dog that is locked up all day. When you open the stall, he is excited, jumps, bites you with joy, so you need to know how to behave so that no one gets hurt and the dog does not run away, because in the shelter you have to embrace reality strongly.

What does that mean?

Increased vigilance, eyes around the head with maximum focus on the dog, but remembering that you need to quickly assess the situation, whether there is another volunteer with the charge on the other side. The dogs living here behave completely differently than those seen on walks in front of the house. Walking through the shelter, before you reach the gate leading to the forest, you have to remember to keep your friend on four legs on a short leash so that he does not jump to another box, break free, run away. It’s not obvious at all. Each of the volunteers has a few cases in their history from which they learned a difficult lesson for the future.

Are these standards everywhere?

I don’t think so. “Ciapkowo” can afford training, because there are many volunteers willing to cooperate, who face a situation completely different from walking the aunt’s dog in her absence. Despite everything, there is so much work in the shelter that we are still recruiting adults willing to help. Every pair of hands will come in handy!

Does Kate understand psi language?

Yes and no (laughs). I’m not a behaviorist, I had a lot to learn, and there’s still a lot ahead of me. The basics were taken care of by our dog, whom we took from the shelter. We have this misconception that when we take such a pet home, it will only kiss our hands and thank us for showing us a heart.

That doesn’t happen?

A dog that comes home from behind bars has its own fears and history. It is far from a blank sheet of paper, which we will write down on the first day with a wonderful MP and a full bowl. Like us, he needs time to get used to the situation, establish relationships in the new herd and treat the home as his own. It doesn’t happen at the snap of a finger! However, there are also stories of dogs that enter a given house and behave as if they have always been in the family.

How do you deal with emotions?

The shelter is a meeting point for the terrible and the beautiful. On the one hand, you have the enormity of the misfortune publicized by the media, and on the other hand, one look at the photo makes you drive across the country and take home an old, sick animal.

When harm happens, do you hold a grudge against people?

I have, but I’ve learned to focus solely on helping, making the most of my time. It’s a pity for him to complain that Reksio is poor and Pimpuś has a bad eye. That’s not what it’s all about!

However, happy endings give you wings!

I remember the story of Max and Prince – two terriers who have always been together, very close. It was one of those adoptions that didn’t have a chance to happen. Old dogs, sick and together, who would want them? The power of social media worked, which moved the lady from the south of Polish. She adopted both.

Can you come to terms with dog death?

I can, I understand the laws of nature. The most difficult situations for me are when the dog doesn’t make it home on time. In the shelter, it is said that it goes behind the “rainbow bridge”, as a number. We had a day in August that showed exactly what emotions are mixed up here. My friends and I came to pick up a dog that was supposed to have photos for the calendar. We are excited, the pet is washed, smelled, we all enjoy the adventure, when on the other hand, in the stall next to us, the veterinarian puts Roki, an elderly dog who suffers from an advanced tumor in his head, with no chance of cure. We went to this session crying. It’s heartbreaking, but you know that with your work you can help others.

Poles have opened up to adoption, does a dog still have to be fashionable?

The situation in larger cities has changed, which is clearly visible both in Poland and in Warsaw’s Paluch, because there are far fewer dogs than before. In small towns it is not so colorful. The treatment of dogs in the Polish countryside still leaves much to be desired. This applies not only to those kept on a chain, but also to purebred ones bought from breeding or pseudo-breeding. One of my friends said that from the neighbouring communes it happened that 4 Labradors got to Kościerzyna during the holidays.

Are you bored?

Vacation and trouble. At the same time, I notice a very good thing – there is a fashion for adoptions. More and more people are concerned about the fate of the abandoned.

Don’t say it’s the end of the Yorkie fashion?

Currently on the Maltese. Unfortunately, for many people, a dog is still a determinant of social status or the prevailing fashion for a given breed. Rottweilers and dachshunds used to reign supreme on our streets. Note that there are fewer of them now. Now, you’ll find a bulldog or a pug on every ad from the developer, which allows you to assume that the fashion still exists, but doesn’t generate total madness. I’m not saying that everyone who wants a dog should have one from a shelter. No, because I don’t believe in a perfect world, but I teach my children that every decision has its conditioning. A shelter dog is a life saved. A dog from a kennel is a business – there will be a few more in its place any moment now. You choose.

The premiere of the calendar is just around the corner. Is there stress?

This year’s calendar is my idea, which stems from remorse (laughs). As much as I’d like to spend long hours in the shelter, family and work commitments don’t allow me to do so. I decided to use my skills and together with my team prepare something special for the OTOZ Animals Foundation. The idea was picked up by other volunteers and we created a calendar dream team. Stress, yes, because it’s our debut and many people have trusted us, but on the other hand, it’s a lot of fun and faith that we’re doing a good job.

Will there be Heroes with big hearts on the cards?

The heroes are our dogs. As their “comrades”, whom we know from the world of art, science and sport, emphasize, they are there because we need a second plan (laughs). Amazing people, whom I now have the opportunity to thank once again for their commitment.

Who will be with us in the coming year?

We wanted to find those we know and like in the calendar, and at the same time get to know new, fascinating personalities from our region. Beata Buczek-Żarnecka, an actress of the Municipal Theatre dressed up as the Snow Queen, whom she plays on the stage of Gdynia. Julia Kamińska, well known to viewers of popular films and the TV series “Ugly”, Joachim Lamża , who creates the most villainous characters, Ania Rogowska , our world champion in pole vault, Janusz Kupcewicz , a footballer from the famous Górski Eagles team, comedian Abelard Giza, musician Tomek “Lipa” Lipnicki, Sarsa , or Maciej Kosycarz – in a completely new role, on the other side of the shutter. We will also meet Professor Marek Żukowski, a world-renowned quantum physicist from the University of Gdańsk and painter Magda Beneda.

Where and when will it premiere?

On November 30, at the hospitable Halo Kultura in Gdynia, we will show you the behind-the-scenes of the making. The calendar will be available at the “Ciapkowo” shelter and on the website of the Animalsi Foundation. All proceeds from the sale will be used to purchase specialist feeds, supplements, medicines and medical assistance for the wards of the Gdynia shelter.

In the Pomerania Development Agency, don’t they complain that the Head of the Information Services Section in the Department of Enterprise Development has a second job?

They cheer, help and support in difficult moments. I’m very fortunate to work in a team where actions are the most important thing, and the popular “empathy” is not just a definition. Somehow it happens that animals are simply attracted to each other.

In the photo in the 10 Magnificent OBC campaign, Rex is next to you, is it a coincidence?

I don’t think so (laughs). After many years of guarding in one of the companies , Reks was given to a shelter overnight. The business was shut down, and he – a living alarm – was no longer needed. Nobody wanted to take care of such a last “box” when moving out. I believe that this friendly, polite and sociable pooch will keep someone’s gaze for longer, getting a chance from fate to spend the upcoming Christmas in a loving and warm home, next to caring people, whom unfortunately he never had. I’m sure what’s good for him is just beginning! Maybe one of the OBC residents will notice it?

More about the 2020 charity calendar

 

Interviewed by: Dagmara Rybicka, Communication Department, Olivia Business Centre

The Olivia Business Centre Choir is a group of sensitive people who love choral music and making music together. Olivia Business Centre’s musical adventure with choral music began in 2018, when a casting for the conductor of the newly formed Choir was announced at Bayer. It was won by Wiktoria Batarowska, who supports the development of the choir. On the joint initiative of Bayer and Olivia Business Centre, the Choir spread its wings and expanded its activities throughout the OBC. Currently, the team consists of about 50 people and brings together representatives of over a dozen Olivia’s resident companies, such as m. among others. Bayer, AirHelp, Energa, GFKM, Nordea, OBC, PwC, Sii, Talkersi and Thyssenkrupp. The choir conducts a wide range of concerts and adds splendour to celebrations organized mainly by the OBC. The repertoire of the Olivia Business Centre Choir includes mainly popular music as well as classical music, as well as carols and pastorals from different parts of the world.

–

Wiktoria Batarowska – conductor
of the Olivia Business Centre Choir

Born. in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, in a family with musical traditions. A scholarship holder of the Government of the Republic of Poland (2006-2011), a graduate of the Faculty of Choral Conducting, Music Education and Eurhythmics at the Academy of Music in Gdańsk. St. Moniuszko in the class of prof. esp. Ph.D. W. Górski (M.A., diploma with honors) and the Faculty of Philology of the University of Gdańsk (M.A. in Philology). Originator, organizer and leader of numerous vocal and choral workshops in Pomerania. President of the Gdańsk Branch of the Polish Association of Choirs and Orchestras (2012-2014).

Founder and conductor of the Tutti e Solo Chamber Choir (2009-2017) at the Academy of Music in Gdańsk, conductor of the SSW Mundus Cantat Choir (2012-2015), the Kashubian Bell Men’s Choir (2009-2012), the Genius LOci Vocal and Instrumental Ensemble (since 2017) and the Bayer Choir at the OBC (2018-2019). Assistant Conductor University Choir Academy of Music in Gdańsk (2012-2016). As a conductor, he has won several Grand Prix awards as well as prestigious awards and distinctions on the national and international arena. She also developed her conducting and vocal practice in Cappelli Gedanesis, the Academic Choir of the University of Gdańsk, the Polish National Youth Choir and as part of doctoral studies in Choir of the National Forum of Music in Wrocław, Toruń Symphony Orchestra or Lower Silesian Philharmonic Orchestra.

An active and passive participant of numerous seminars, workshops and conducting conferences. Participant of the 13th Competition of Choral Conductors in Poznań and the 6th International Choral Conducting Tournament ” Towards Polyphony ” in Wrocław. She has received numerous scholarships from the Rector of the Academy of Music in Gdańsk for the best students and doctoral students. One of the most important awards (preparation of the University Choir of the Academy of Music in Gdańsk) is the Fryderyk 2014 Award of the Phonographic Academy in the category Album of the Year. Symphonic and concertante music: Angelus, Exodus, Victoria under dir. Prof. Zygmunt Rychert.

–

Repertoire:

1. “El ultimo Cafe” by H. Stamponi
2. “Prende la Vela” by L. Bermündez
3. “Volare” by D. Modugno
4. “Oh Happy Day” by D. Howard
5. “Can’t help folling in love” L. Creatore
6. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by A. Harlen
7. “Shchedryk” M. Leonovych
8. “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” arr. A. Raugh

–

Members of the OBC Choir:

SOPRANOS 1) Dorota Bednarczyk 2) Brejta Natalia 3) Martyna Drobotowicz 4) Ewatowska Aneta 5) Philadelphia Patricia 6) Ivanna Havryliuk 7) Kirillova Elena 8) Nuthatch Iga 9) Kwidzińska Ida 10) Lejkowska Karolina 11) Karolina Lewandowska 12) Caroline Lubinska 13) Moksa Martha 14) Margaret Must 15) Synoradzka Patricia 16) Zaborowska Katarzyna 17) Agnes Zahorska 18) Maryana Zamishchak	ALTOS 1) Blazejewska Alice 2) Monika Chmarzyńska 3) Margaret Nail 4) Magda Kamińska 5) Anna Lewandowska 6) Isabella Thumb 7) Peszek Alexander 8) Catherine Heel 9) Roskosz Catherine 10) Ross Dominic 11) Rylska Aleksandra 12) Sienkiewicz Joanna 13) Elizabeth Sumionka 14) Syvokobylenko Olena 15) Dorothy Wojsiat 16) Zyborowicz-Dubalis Agata (holidays)
TENORS 1) Christopher Dolański 2) Piętka Radosław 3) Potts Hamish 4) Wojciechowski Remigiusz	BASS 1) Michael Broeker 2) Geba Tom 3) Godlewski Wojciech 4) Robert Mound 5) Jacob Lorenc 6) Wojciech Żółtkowski 7) Sirocki Wojciech

 

 

On December 1, for the second time, we will measure the aid by floors together. The arena of the Star Challenge – the first staircase race in Northern Poland – will be the tallest building in the region, Olivia Star. The competitors will take up the challenge of climbing 34 floors with a total of 723 stairs.

The competition will be held in five categories. Star Sprint, in which the competitors will race from level zero, finishing in 34th place. Star Ultra , during which participants will climb 34 floors three times, Uniformed Star Sprint , which requires you to face the distance Sprint in full uniform, and Star Challenge, where you have to run as many floors as possible for 120 minutes. The competition will be closed by the Olivia Business Centre Residents’ Cup, in which 3-person company teams will compete for a unique trophy made by Blind Children from the Centre in Sobieszewo.

– The goal of the Star Challenge race is to help. Everyone who stands at the starting line and climbs the individual floor of Olivia Star will support the charges of the Centre for Early Development of Blind and Visually Impaired Children in Sobieszewo. The amount obtained will allow for equal educational opportunities for children under the care of the institution – explains Dagmara Rybicka, Communication Manager at Olivia Business Centre. – Scale of difficulty and the uniqueness of the Star Challenge make the sporting face of Gdańsk take on a new dimension, and for the daredevils taking part in the competition, the moment of the start becomes a great test of character and a test of capabilities. The popularity of the first edition of the event strengthened our belief that the Star Challenge will become a permanent part of the city’s pre-Christmas tradition, attracting many competitors from all over Europe to the start – adds Rybicka.

For the second time, the ambassador of the race is Piotr Łobodziński, the most titled Towerrunner in the world. The World, European and Polish champion and 4-time World Cup winner is also the winner of the famous races on the Emipre State Building in New York and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

– Next to him will be Piotr Suchenia – the winner of the most extreme marathons on both poles, who is also the World Team Champion from Perth. The presence of Blanka Turska in such a titled group is not accidental at all. One of the most beautiful Polish drifters won this year’s Vice Championship of the Polish in the Women’s class, placing on the podium of the Polish Drift Open Cup. As he emphasizes, he believes in the power of the Star Challenge, which is why he signs the race for the second time, being at the same time on the start list, on his way to the record – explains Maciej Olszewski, Project Manager at Olivia Sports.

This race is also full of surprises and surprising twists and turns. The fans of this edition will be surprised at the start by the hockey players of Lotos PKH Gdańsk, who will take up the challenge of climbing 34 floors in record time and full match equipment.

– The mission of the Pomeranian Hockey Club is to build an engaged community around the club, which is why we are always happy to take part in events that aim to help others. Olivia Business Center is our neighbour and we are all the more glad that we can contribute to equal opportunities for people who need it. I hope that the participation of our players or representatives of the club will also attract fans to this event, who will be able to cheer on our team on the ice rink on the same day in the evening – announced Bartosz Purzyński, President of the Board of the Pomeranian Hockey Club.

This year’s edition on the other side of the sports “medal” is supported by artists. Thanks to their help and commitment, on 14 December , at the invitation of Alicja Stańska at the Stańska Art Gallery in Warsaw , the little pupils of the Centre will make a sculpture, which will be the most important trophy of this year’s edition and will go to the fastest relay team in the Olivia Business Centre Residents’ Cup. The co-creators of this unique work are the sculptor Miłosława Skoczek-Śliwińska and Grzegorz Cysewski, the only representative of the Diesel Punk trend in Poland.

“The work that Sister Ida and her team of teachers do every day deserves our sincere admiration. After my visit to Sobieszewo, I realized how much such a facility is needed, which is why I believe that our common sports contribution will bring measurable help to the little ones, who, thanks to the determination of the staff running the Centre, are prepared for a number of challenges that life brings – hopes Dagmara Rybicka.

 

The event was held under the Honorary Patronage of the Mayor of the City of Gdańsk Aleksandra Dulkiewicz and Mieczysław Struk, Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship.

The Partners of the second edition include: Advertis, Alior Bank, Bayer, Bergson, Do Sport Now, InDreams, MacLife, STBU Insurance Brokers.

Media patronage: Radio Gdansk, Trójmiasto.pl, Dziennik Bałtycki and Together Magazine – the city’s hometown.

With us: gdansk.pl, Radio Eska, Radio Złote Przeboje.

Star Challenge 2019 will be held under the aegis of the TOWERRUNNING World Association.

Detailed information can be found on the event’s website, official FB profile

 

YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR THE STAR CHALLENGE HERE!

 

We invite you to fill in a very important survey for Gdańsk. Our city wants to change for the better, which is why it has joined the cities.multimodal project. Other participants come from Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland and Russia. Cities.multimodal , funded by Interreg Baltic Sea Region 2014-2020, promotes sustainable transport and activities that change the transport behaviour of residents of large cities in the Baltic Sea Region.

What is the aim of the programme?

Creating an effective, well-ordered and easily accessible urban space that will meet our needs – the residents’.

Olivia has been supporting the City of Gdańsk for a long time, so she has also been actively involved in the cities.multimodal project, because it is here, in the heart of the Tri-City, that pedestrian, bicycle, rail, tram and bus roads intersect.

Why are we asking you to complete the survey?

In order to make a difference and offer us new solutions for attractive, environmentally friendly means of transport , Gdańsk must know what needs to be improved. What ails us, what we struggle with, how long it takes us to get to work… The city would like to learn about and analyse our everyday transport choices and behaviours and determine their impact on urban space, health or the environment. On the basis of the results of the study, proposals for actions will be developed that may help in choosing alternative forms of travel to individual commuting by car.

Let’s do it!

The survey is anonymous. It will take you about 10 minutes to complete the survey.

WELCOME!

MIASTOPYTA.OLIVIACENTRE.COM

 

Do you want to know a bit more about cities.multimodal?

Cities.multimodal is a continuation of the abc.multimodal project, which is already known in Gdańsk. As part of the project, the city is carrying out activities in a selected pilot area. In Gdańsk, it is the Central Service Band, including, among others, Wrzeszcz, Oliwa and Śródmieście. The culmination of the project will be the development of a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for the pilot area.

The overarching objectives of the programme are:

1. Improving traffic conditions in the city, increasing the mobility of residents.
2. Increasing the safety of all road users.
3. Improve the accessibility of public transport, alternatives to private cars, for all travellers in all areas of the city.
4. Increase in the use of urban transport.
5. Reducing the negative impact of transport on people, health and the environment.
6. Improving the quality of public space and its accessibility.

Project budget

EUR 3.8 million, of which EUR 2.9 million comes from the European Regional Development Fund.

More information about the project: www.cities-multimodal.eu

—//—

We invite you to complete a survey that is very important for Gdańsk. Our city wants to change for the better, which is why it has joined the cities.multimodal project. Its other participants come from Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland and Russia. Cities.multimodal , financed by Interreg Baltic Sea Region 2014-2020, promotes sustainable transport and activities that change the transport behaviour of residents of large cities in the Baltic Sea region.

What is the objective of the programme?

To create an effective, well-ordered and easily accessible urban space that will meet our – residents’ – needs.

Olivia has been supporting the City of Gdańsk for a long time, so it has also actively joined the cities.multimodal project, as it is here, in the very heart of the Tri-City, where pedestrian, bicycle, rail, tram and bus paths cross.

Why are we asking you to complete the survey?

In order to change something and to offer us new solutions for attractive, environmentally-friendly means of transport, Gdańsk must know what needs to be improved. What bothers us, what we are struggling with, how much time it takes us to commute to work… The city would like to know and analyse our daily choices and transport behaviour and determine their impact on urban space, health and the environment. The next step is to analyse the results of the survey and develop proposals of actions that will help in the selection of forms of travel that are alternative to individual car journeys.

Let’s do it!

The survey is anonymous. Filling out the survey will take you approximately 10 minutes.

YOU ARE MOST WELCOME!

CITYASKS.OLIVIACENTRE.COM

 

Would you like to learn a little more about cities.multimodal?

Cities.multimodal is a continuation of the abc.multimodal project, already known in Gdańsk. As a part of it, the city conducts activities in a selected pilot area. In Gdańsk, it is the Central Service Band, including, among others, Wrzeszcz, Oliwa and Śródmieście Districts. The culmination of the project will be the development of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for the pilot area.

Overarching objectives of the programme:

1. Improving traffic conditions in the city, increasing the mobility of residents.
2. Increased safety of all road users.
3. Improving the availability of public transport, the alternative to private cars, for all travellers in all areas of the city.
4. Increased use of urban transport.
5. Limiting the negative impact of transport on people, health and the environment.
6. Improving the quality of public space and its accessibility.

Budget for the project

EUR 3.8 million, of which EUR 2.9 million comes from the European Regional Development Fund.

More information about the project on: www.cities-multimodal.eu

Ilona Gradus in a great shape, proposal at the finish line and PLN 10 thousand for the centre for blind children in Sobieszewo – once again Star Challenge of Olivia Business Centre starts Christmas time in Pomerania.

There were surprises and unexpected turns of events. Cristina Bonacina from Italy, who was tipped as a winner in the Ultra category, had to accept the sports dominance of Ilona Gradus who went down in the history of the run for good, winning also in the Sprint category.

Participants and supporters were full of emotions from the very morning. Star Challenge runners were first at the start line. Their goal was to run through as many floors as possible within 120 minutes in the highest building in the Northern Poland – Olivia Star. Olga Sobocińska, who ran 11 laps, triumphed among women. Beata Dembińska was second and Dominika Witkowska won third place.

Among men : Jacquard Jorsi from France reached 34^th floor 16 times and outran Mariusz Klapenda and Łukasz Józefiak.

The fastest woman in Sprint category was Ilona Gradus, who completed the run in 5:14, 65 minutes and left Katarzyna Butowska and Katarzyna Wróbel behind. The fastest man, Mateusz Marunowski, ran 180 metres (723 stairs) in 3:47,50 minutes. Kacper Mrowiec and Mickael Pourcelot reached the finish line just behind him.

In the Ultra category, front-runners didn’t let us down. Ilona Gradus, Cristina Bonacina and Katarzyna Butowska stood on the podium. Mickael Pourcelot, who outran Paweł Zakowicz and Piotr Dembicki, was awarded with another Star Challenge statuette.

–
In the Olivia Business Centre Residents Cup

AirHelp team comprising Jan Meisner, Jakub Dulko and Ariadana Martines

turned out to be beyond the reach of its competitors
. The next places on the podium were taken by two relay teams representing Thyssenkrup. It was a fierce and neck-and-neck fight. The main prize in this year’s event was a sculpture made and handed by the artist Alicja Stańska, Grzegorz Cysewski and Miłosława Śliwińska-Skoczek together with children under the care of the centre in Sobieszewo – said Dagmara Rybicka, Communication Manager in Olivia Business Centre.

We also experienced many emotional moments. There were red roses, music, champagne, confetti and proposal at the top. The participant of the Uniformed Services category – a fireman from Sobieszewo – proposed to his girlfriend. When he heard “yes”, he got a round of applause. Olivia Star Top, which is the operator of the three highest floors in Olivia Star, took care of the unique setting of the event.

– We are glad that our space creates positive aura and encourages such unique moments. Olivia Star is not only the place of business meetings, but also unforgettable moments among the closest ones – explained Krystyna Hartenberger – Pater Head of International Sales, Marketing & PR.

Iwona Kowalska ( 6:51) and Piotr Dembicki (4:06) took the lead in the Uniformed Services category.

Olivia Business Centre was the initiator and the organiser of the event. The combination of sports rivalry and the passion for helping people, once again under the protectorate of Towerrunning World Association, attracted participants from France, Italy, Belarus, Great Britain, Russia and Poland.

– I am really impressed with the competition in Gdańsk. I have run in many places around the world, but I must admit that Olivia Business Centre is the place where I will willingly come back next year. I’m glad that I had the chance to compete for a good cause and that my passion for running could help blind children – said Cristina Bonacina from Italy.

The runners managed to collect PLN 10 thousand for the Centre in Sobieszewo. As they emphasised at the finish line, the awareness of their goal motivated them because there were many difficult moments on the route.

– With all out heart we would like to thank for this beautiful day and much good, which we managed to bring out of people’s hearts. We hope that it’s the beginning of our joint adventure and meetings in Sobieszewo. Runners and Olivia Business Centre made a wonderful, unforgettable surprise for children and their families and collected funds are a great help for us – emphasised Sister Ida, the foundress and leader of the Centre.

The honorary patrons of the 2^nd edition of Star Challenge are the Mayor of Gdańsk and the Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship.

Media patronage: trojmiasto.pl, Radio Gdańsk, Together and Dziennik Bałtycki. The partners of the event: Alior Bank, Bayer, DoSportNow.com, Advertis, Bergson, MacLife, STBU Insurance Brokers, BMG Goworowski, InDreams, radio Eska, radio Złote Przeboje, gdansk.pl, Towerrunning World Association.

Organiser: Olivia Business Centre and OCR Games.

SEE RESULTS

SEE PHOTO GALLERY ON FB

 

Apparently, there are already legends about the Olivia Business Centre Residents’ Cup. Deservedly so, because this year’s trophy, although it has many dimensions, is one symbol – of toil and effort that should never be in vain.

This is only a seemingly similar story, of which there are many in sport. The idea of the Star Challenge was born two years ago. It was created from a combination of passion for sport and the desire to help – Christmas seemed to be the perfect time when hearts are full of goodness, many of us are humming carols, and the thought of wrapping presents and the Christmas Eve table more and more often makes us reflect that there are people next to us and the most important thing is to be even closer to them.

Cup Idea

When we passed each other in Olivia’s halls, met on the patio, waited in line at Natka’s, a thought came to our mind that we don’t have to ignite you to action, because there is a fire in each of us – all we have to do is fuel the flame, and sooner than we expect, great things will happen. That’s when the “cup idea” came up. At first, we were cautious, because it seemed to be madness, and we, full of organizational concerns, wondered if the relay teams of the Residents would stand at the start line after all. They stood and won, because in the Star Challenge, everyone who climbs the 34 floors of Olivia Star is a winner, and the next floor climbed brings you closer to your goal, which is to help those in need. In the first edition of the race, Nordea triumphed and it is the joy of their relay that is remembered by the children of the Children’s Home, for whom they had to struggle with weaknesses and many crises.

Good Prevails

We have been thinking about the second edition for a long time. Knowing that you will be in this with us, we decided that something has to happen that will make the Cup known as a country long and wide. Alicja Stańska – an outstanding artist, the only Pole who can boast the title of a graduate of the Ecole Lesage in France – offered to help with the realization. Alicja’s embroideries are works of art that European galleries are fighting for. The power of the Star Challenge worked and it turned out that the artistic challenge would be taken up by Grzegorz Cysewski – a sculptor, the only representative of the Diesel Punk trend in Poland, and Miłosława Śliwińska-Skoczek, who is already being referred to as an icon. At their invitation, the
Alicja Stanska Art Gallery
in Warsaw the only sculpture of its kind in the world – co-created by blind children from Sobieszewo. Covered in gold, on the stairs, which for these children are the most powerful metaphor.

^{Children from the centre in Sobieszewo visit the artist Alicja Stańska in Warsaw. This is how foot castings are made…}

The moment when the winning relay team received the Cup from Alicja Stańska was exceptional. In this small fraction of a moment, all the emotions of the world were enchanted, proving for the second time that good prevails.

AirHelp and Thyssenkrup, thank you.

^{Outstanding artists Alicja Stańska and Grzegorz Cysewski during the Star Challenge in Olivia}

Good triumphs

^{Short English summary}

We were thinking of the 2nd edition of Olivia Business Centre Residents Cup for a long time. Knowing that we will be accompanied by you, we decided that something will have to make the Cup famous nationwide. Alicja Stańska, the famous artist and the only Pole who graduated Ecole Lesage in France, has offered her help. The embroideries made by her are pieces of art, which every European gallery desires and is ready to fight for. Star Challenge’s power worked and Stańska was joined at this artistic challenge by Grzegorz Cysewski , the only Polish sculptor who belongs to the Diesel Punk movement, and Miłosława Śliwińska-Skoczek, who is already considered an icon. It was at their invitation that the blind children from the Centre in Sobieszewo came to Alicja Stanska Art Gallery in Warsaw and helped to create the most unique sculpture in the world. It is gold-plated, placed on the stairs, which is the most powerful metaphor for the children.

The moment when Alicja Stańska handed the AirHelp relay team the Cup was special. This very moment stirred all the emotions, and for the second time proved that good triumphs.

AirHelp and Thyssenkrup, thank you.

 

Dagmara Rybicka, Olivia Business Centre

The Olivia Business Centre team received the Office Building Manager of the Year award in the Eurobuild Awards competition.

Out of hundreds of entries in this year’s edition of the Eurobuild Awards, an independent jury selected and awarded personalities, companies and facilities that had the greatest impact on the Polish real estate and construction market.

– On behalf of the Resident Relations, Governance and Safety teams, thank you very much for this unique recognition. The Office Building Manager of the Year award, granted thanks to your votes, is not only the crowning achievement of our daily work, but above all an “injection” of motivation to work towards even higher standards of services – said Konrad Danecki, responsible for Investor’s Supervision at Olivia Business Centre, during the final Gala.

The victory is all the more pleasing because it shows that the self-managed Olivia Business Centre is able to meet the expectations that translate into the well-being and comfort of the Residents.

– At Olivia, we refer to our tenants as Residents. Together, we create and develop our center, where we are united not only by work, but also by passions. With them in mind, the Resident Relations Department was established, which is in constant, close contact with company representatives, monitors the level of satisfaction with the services provided and sets directions of development that meet the real needs of the people stationed in the center – explains Agnieszka Zglinicka, Director of the Resident Relations Department at Olivia Business Centre.

This dedicated team closely cooperates with other departments that take care of, among other things, safety, the highest quality and reliability of the building and technical infrastructure, as well as user-friendly aesthetics of the spaces in which they stay. The Property Maintenance Department , i.e. licensed property managers, facility administrators and technical specialists, provide companies with comfort and a high standard of offices and common spaces.

– The role of Olivia Business Centre as a host goes far beyond administration and management – every day the aforementioned teams make efforts to meet the expectations of Residents while maintaining an acceptable level of costs – emphasizes Monika Pietrzak, Director of the Property Maintenance Department at Olivia Business Centre

Such a model of operation, based on a unique team of specialists combined with state-of-the-art solutions, ensures the highest level of service, and close cooperation with other departments of OBC enables us to provide optimal solutions, which – which is good – often far exceed the accepted market standards.

The Eurobuild Awards Gala is a meeting considered by experts to be an excellent opportunity to gain knowledge, share experiences and establish valuable business relationships. This year’s final took place on December 3 in Warsaw.

Dear Residents, thank you for your trust!

ENGLISH VERSION

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