Karol Nawrocki’s Free Museum Stays Under Scrutiny

Learner News | 25/01/2025

Our topic today in Polish Learner News is a controversy surrounding a former museum director. Discover why accusations involving a luxury apartment have led to a legal investigation and sparked public debate.

Karol Nawrocki's Free Museum Stays Under Scrutiny

The news in Polish

Karol Nawrocki, były dyrektor Muzeum II Wojny Światowej w Gdańsku, jest oskarżany1 o korzystanie z luksusowego2 mieszkania w muzeum przez 200 dni bez opłat. Nawrocki tłumaczy, że mieszkał tam podczas pandemii3 . Muzeum twierdzi4 , że ich dokumenty5 pokazują inne informacje. Sprawa budzi kontrowersje i została zgłoszona do prokuratury6 .

  1. oskarżać
    stwierdzać czyjąś winę lub przypisywać komuś przestępstwo ↩︎
  2. luksusowy
    bardzo wygodny, elegancki, z najwyższej półki ↩︎
  3. pandemia (f.)
    epidemia obejmująca swoim zasięgiem niemal cały świat ↩︎
  4. twierdzić
    mówić coś stanowczo, być pewnym czegoś ↩︎
  5. dokument (m.)
    oficjalny lub prywatny tekst pisemny mający znaczenie prawne lub informacyjne ↩︎
  6. prokuratura (f.)
    instytucja zajmująca się ściganiem przestępstw ↩︎

Translation

Karol Nawrocki, the former director of the World War II Museum in Gdańsk, is accused of using a luxury apartment at the museum for 200 days without paying. Nawrocki explains that he stayed there during the pandemic. The museum claims their records show different information. The matter is controversial and has been reported to the public prosecutor’s office.

Text Comprehension

Question: Who is Karol Nawrocki?

Karol Nawrocki is the former director of the Museum of World War II in Gdańsk.

Question: Why is Karol Nawrocki being accused?

He is accused of using a luxury apartment in the museum for 200 days without paying.

Vocabulary

PolishEnglish
oskarżaćaccuse
luksusowyluxurious
pandemia (f.)pandemic
twierdzićclaim
dokument (m.)document
prokuratura (f.)prosecutor's office

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Read the full story

The museum, located just five kilometres from Nawrocki’s residence, hosted him in a Deluxe Apartment during his directorship from 2017 to 2021. Nawrocki claims that he used the apartment for both residence and work purposes, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when he states he was quarantined there twice. However, the museum asserts that their records only document one ten-day quarantine period.

The Museum of the Second World War issued a formal statement refuting Nawrocki’s assertions regarding the usage of the museum’s apartments. Officials clarified that these facilities were initially intended for commercial rental to generate revenue. They stated that the revenue would support the museum’s activities by providing accommodation for visiting historians and speakers. This statement contradicts Nawrocki’s claim that he initiated the commercial use of the apartments.

Karol Nawrocki's Free Museum Stays Under Scrutiny
Karol Nawrocki’s Free Museum Stays Under Scrutiny

Furthermore, the museum highlights discrepancies in Nawrocki’s account of staying no longer than ten consecutive days. Detailed records indicate five longer stays across various dates, blocking the apartment from other users, contradicting his public statement made during a press conference in Zakopane.

In response to media investigations and public concerns, the museum maintains that their acknowledgment of these facts is not a targeted attack on Nawrocki. They emphasize their legal obligation to disclose information upon inquiry, per Polish legislation on public information access.

Meanwhile, the political opposition, the Civic Coalition, has reacted by filing a formal complaint with the prosecutor’s office regarding Nawrocki’s usage of museum property, seeking clarity and accountability. Critics argue that this incident provides an opportunity for Nawrocki to clear his name amidst the allegations.

Info: “Polish Learner News” is a service from “Let’s Learn Polish”, a language school dedicated to teaching Polish. We offer various types of online Polish language course options, catering to different proficiency levels and learning needs.


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