The Reader reported the issue of outdoor events announced for this weekend to us yesterday. “Where does common sense end and the mere desire for profit begin?” he asked. And added:
Many places in Poland covered by high-temperature alerts are cancelling events announced for Saturday and Sunday. An example from our own backyard – the club in Czerna cancelled its family festival.”
And immediately pointed out: – Meanwhile, in the Bolesławiec Rural Municipality, it seems there is no one thinking about the safety of others – only about the desire for profit. Village heads, GOKIS, and even the priest are busily preparing for festivals starting at noon.
He also added:
Of course, there is no obligation to attend such events, but the question of social responsibility arises. Are inflatables heated to 40 degrees Celsius an attraction or a danger for children? Food in these temperatures and outdoors? Beer?
We asked Bolesławiec municipality about the matter. Adam Rymaszewski, director of GOKiS in Bolesławiec, based in Kruszyna, replied to us.
(...) we would like to inform you that neither Bolesławiec municipality nor the Municipal Culture and Sports Centre in Bolesławiec, based in Kruszyna, are organisers of the events planned for the coming weekend to which the Reader’s report refers. Therefore, we have not made decisions regarding their schedule, programme or possible cancellation. For our part, we recommended that the organisers change the date of the event, postpone its start to later hours, and ensure shade and water for participants if they decided not to cancel it.
And added: – The information we received indicates that, in addition to the solutions mentioned, the organisers will provide water-mist cooling curtains together with local volunteer fire brigades, and that it will be possible to move some of the planned activities to air-conditioned community centres.
He also stressed: – At the same time, we would like to emphasise that during all events organised by GOKiS Bolesławiec, participant safety always remains a priority. Each time, we analyse the current weather conditions and potential hazards, and the organisation of events is adapted to the prevailing circumstances.
And concluded:
In response to the question about organisational measures, we inform you that during events organised by GOKiS Bolesławiec on hot days, we provide participants with free access to drinking water thanks to cooperation with PWiK Dolina Bobru. In addition, we are one of the few cultural centres in the area that provide such a large number of seats under tents during their events, allowing participants to rest in the shade and limit exposure to high temperatures. Our festivals are mainly organised near air-conditioned community centres, which are open to event participants. In the event of adverse weather conditions, we monitor the announcements and warnings issued by the relevant services each time and take measures appropriate to the situation. Assessing the risk and safety of participants is one of the key elements in preparing every event organised by our institution.
(...) the organisation of outdoor events takes place with regard to applicable regulations, the recommendations of the services and current weather forecasts and warnings. As extreme weather events become more frequent, organisers of public events, including cultural institutions, continuously adapt their activities and organisational solutions to changing conditions.