NO. 9 WINTER 2021 Magazine for maritime industry and sea lovers
WHAT'S INSIDE...
4 Alternative does not have to mean inferior 6 15 years gone by 8 Independence 10 The Christmas magic of helping 12 Cycling and running action 14 Product range 16 The young seaman's life 20 Harbour cities. Sea of attractions 24 Taste Manufactory
ALTERNATIVE DOES NOT HAVE TO MEAN INFERIOR Just be careful
Counterfeits, pirate parts, cheap imitations... Who cares if potential buyers associate alternative products with the negative terms I mentioned above? Let us take a look at the subject of such goods and their role in our lives. Private and professional, as well. Alternative products are available in many areas of the world around us. I am not talking here about a leather belt of a well-known brand purchased at a bazaar in a tourist resort or glasses at a very bargain price bought on an auction site. A clear distinction should be made between manufacturers who, breaking the law, impersonate original brands and legitimate ones offering their products as alternatives. Does a high quality T-shirt without a label have to be worse than the one bearing the logo of a global corporation or do windscreen wipers from a supermarket have to work worse than those from a car showroom? Of course not.
A cheap printer and toner cartridges that wear out quickly, worth 1/3 of its price; a new washing machine that breaks down right after the warranty period expires, and a washing machine from the same manufacturer purchased 15 years ago that still works today; electronic equipment in which the batteries cannot be changed. How about something closer to our industry? -
Suspiciously cheap or unnaturally expensive?
Repairable electronic cards that cannot be reconditioned by the manufacturer. Looking at the above examples, are we still sure that the issue of monopolistic practices is alien to us? Large concerns tempt machines and e quip m ent at at tr ac ti ve p rice s in order to gain customers who will need expensive spare parts. They are the main source of income for machine manufacturers.
‘expensive’. Maybe the item we describe as cheap isn't cheap at all but the equivalent to which we compare it has an inflated price? Manufacturers who produce their products in comparable conditions using similar technology and components, have similar production costs. The issue of price is purely a matter of pricing policy. MAEM has always opposed fair, partnership pricing to monopolistic practices.
Let's take a moment to look at the issue of ‘cheap replacements’. What does cheap actually mean? The more appropriate term is ‘cheaper than’ and the most accurate is simply competitively priced. The term ‘cheap’ always goes hand in hand with the opposite
Market’s need Where did the alternative parts companies come from (there are quite a few, even in such a limited sector as ship fuel centrifuges)? Well, it is a natural market response to monopolistic attempts to exploit consumers. MAEM gives its customers freedom, freedom of choice, by offering an alternative to the original products. Therefore, what is monopoly and monopolistic practices? Let's look at these issues through the prism of a few examples.
4 | Winter 2021 | Made in MAEM
Be careful In the title, I intentionally noted that alternative does not necessarily mean inferior. Unfortunately, as in every area of life, there are products of better and worse quality. A belt from the bazaar is probably not even leather and glasses from an auction after a few weeks are fit only for the trash. Our bad experiences negatively affect all manufacturers, putting them on one level. Success lies in being able to find a company that approaches the issue of reverse engineering in a reliable and professional manner because it results in alternative products. We will not tell you about components made in home manufactures or in overseas countries. We will
not take responsibility for competitors who focus only on attempts to reproduce products in a 1:1 ratio. We warn against using spare parts or goods from uncertain sources. These can lead to serious failures or even destruction of the machine to which they are fitted. Do not believe it, check it MAEM invests in top-class machinery and cutting-edge technology to give new life to spare parts often making them work longer and better than the original. We will present committed people who, disregarding the economic benefits of limited lifespan, produce parts for the longest possible life. People who are passionate about
building relationships with partners based on trust, always putting the customer and their welfare first. MAEM is a fully transparent and open company. We are proud of our factory and are happy to show it to our guests. We believe that the customer has the right to know where and how the products they use are made. We warn against suppliers who promise the highest quality, avoiding questions about the origin of the products. Be consistent, you have the right to do so.
Made in MAEM | Winter 2021 | 5
15 YEARS GONE BY
Have you ever had to choose what is most important to you in order to be completely committed to a cause? Like everyone else, we spent 2020 working on adapting to new guidelines and minimizing the impact of the pandemic on our business, our employees, and our leisure lives. By implementing our ambitious growth plans under these conditions, instead of celebrating our 15th anniversary, we focused on the challenges we faced. 15 years is a long time when you don't do anything special but when you have a goal, when you want to achieve your ambitious plans, such a period passes unnoticed. It was 15 years ago that a group of three co-workers decided to take matters into their own hands and to make their dreams of independence come true. This is how the story of MAEM began. The engineering sense of the visionaries immediately directed the activities of the new company to the most difficult but at the same time very rewarding profile - the production of spare parts for ships.
6 | Winter 2021 | Full ahead
That is how the connection took place, which, even today, sounds quite exotic to many. A company based 500 kilometers from the nearest Baltic Sea produces parts for ships.
15 years of development means a fulfilled mission, thanks to which our partners have access to the highest quality products, paying real prices for them, thanks to the company's policy.
Another aspect that distinguished the company at the very beginning was its approach to clean production and ecology. MAEM proves even today that mechanical production can be clean and perfectly organized. MAEM is a great example of an organization which, thanks to its meticulous approach to cleanliness and tidiness of production processes, has naturally developed precise standards. Standards in which there is no room for compromise.
15 years of development means hundreds of customers from all over the world that once gave MAEM the chance to prove the quality of its products.
The 15 years of MAEM's development have been a period of dynamic changes and successes. Millions of man-hours worked by machines, hundreds of thousands of kilometers travelled to meet thousands of customers at dozens of trade fairs all over the world. A huge number of packages with orders, which we have delivered and still deliver to 19 000 ships in our customer base.
The 15 years of development are mainly about the trust of our customers which we have gained thanks to the daily work of each member of the MAEM staff of 120 people. We would like to thank everyone for the fact that we can be here and now together. We promise not to stop and to be a reliable and trustworthy partner for you for years to come.
2021
2006 Full ahead | Winter 2021 | 7
INDEPENDENCE What is its value?
Independence nowadays is unfortunately still a privilege. For most, it is a dream come true and a guarantee of harmony in life. Some people cannot imagine their lives without it, for others it is still a goal they stubbornly pursue. Many have achieved it, paying a high price, regardless of the costs incurred or the enormous sacrifices made. Some of us have exchanged it for illusory material benefits. Let's focus on the group of people for whom the ability to decide for themselves, to set priorities and goals, to determine the direction in which they go, is priceless. People for whom principles and beliefs and mission are far more important than money. Business independence Independence in business is an issue of little importance at first glance. However, when we take a closer look,
8 | Winter 2021 | MAEM Values
we will realize that in the struggle for independence we are one of the parties and the interests of large corporations are completely different from ours. Can a manufacturer, selling us a machine, force us to use only variable parts produced by him? Despite attempts and lobbying by the big market tycoons, the answer is no. The game is about big money, which we, the consumers, would have to spend on spare parts, often sold at inflated prices. Fortunately, in spite of the big companies, the consumer and freedom of choice have won this battle. Why is MAEM's story about independence? Because we have stood and always stand on the side of consumers. Our business gives consumers an alternative, a free choice, or the privilege of independence. It is immensely satisfying to know that our customers chose us because they wanted us to.
The price of independence MAEM has always been and will continue to be an independent manufacturer, responding to customer needs. We believe that our independence is a guarantee of consumer freedom. Enjoying the privileges of independence, we decide on our own pricing policy, which is invariably based on a fair profit added to the production prices of our products. Only we decide what to sell and to whom. Valuing our own freedom and independence as well as that of our partners, we promise not to change anything in this regard. In fact, we promise to always be where others cannot do anything. This is also the privilege of independence.
MAEM BRAZED HEAT EXCHANGERS We would like to offer our brand new brazed plate heat exchangers. See why our solution is worth using.
GET MORE
FULL INTERCHANGEABILITY
SAFE CHOICE
SUPPORT AND WARRANTY
Each MAEM device is supplied with the insulation jacket enhancing the device efficiency. You get a ready to install heat exchanger with the insulation jacket. Just connect it.
You don’t have to change any thing when replacing old heat exchanger with our solution. The MAEM solution is fully interchangeable with its equivalent in term of installation and dimensions.
A wide variety of models available at MAEM meet individual customer needs. Each heat exchanger is tested for leaks before being dispatched to the customer.
You are guaranteed the full support of our engineers at every stage of use. The warranty period for exchangers is 12 months.
ABOUT US
We are an independent manufacturer of high quality marine alternative spare parts and complete devices for fuel, oil and water treatment. It is our goal to help our customers get the right product they need anywhere on earth: quickly, easily and affordably.
MAEM Sp. z o.o., 22A Bociana Street, 31-231 Krakow, Poland, www.maem.com, info@maem.com, +48 12 415 08 16
Winter 2021 | 9
THE CHRISTMAS MAGIC OF HELPING Lasts all year long
Although it is worth helping, and even necessary, not only at Christmas, helping combined with the Christmas magic of kindness tastes best . A s every year, in January we sum up the action of New Year's presents, which we traditionally give to our partners. It is not easy to be told at the end of the year that MAEM, as usual, sets the standard; fortunately, we have succeeded once again. The year 2020 has turned many aspects of our lives upside down. Christmas gifts were no different. March is the
10 | Zima 2021 | Uwielbiamy pomagać
time when concept s and ideas for New Year's gifts clash in the marketing department. Yes, we're already in March talking about the gif ts you receive from us in December. Taking care of the smallest details is like a maturing wine - it does not like rush or time pressure. When, in the heat of preparation and discussion, reality brutally made us realize that this year is going to be diametrically different from all the others, we decided to verify plans and adjust gifts to the difficult situation we expected.
We decided to bet on symbolism. We wanted to look even more closely than usual at the needs of the vulnerable in need and we allocated about half of the budget to support animal shelters. In the face of a pandemic and an uncertain future, many of them have lost their regular donors. Beginning in March, each month we allocated a portion of the gift budget to help a different animal shelter. In total, we supported nine shelters, with a diverse focus. Thanks to us, horse Ivan, dog Bunia and koala bear Charlotte could count on continued caring. We also changed our approach to the gif ts themselves. Where pos sible, we replaced commercial
vendors with manufacturers under the care of non-profit organizations. Thanks to this initiative we have a beautiful calendar filled with pictures painted by Mr Andrzej, a member of the Foundation of Disabled Artists and delicious gingerbreads were baked for us by the disabled working in the Taste Manufactury confectionery located in Jaroslaw.
much more joy than receiving. Next year, regardless of the situation, we will continue this year's concept. We hope that helping together will become our tradition.
A s ever y year, we received a lot of thanks and warm words of support for our approach to New Year's gifts. We are glad that our partners, like us, understand the idea of sharing, especially in difficult times. Giving brings
We love to help | Winter 2021 | 11
CYCLING AND RUNNING ACTION The end of the year is the traditional time for summaries. We are glad that despite the pandemic, thanks to the persistence and commitment of our employees, we can sum up this year's bike and run campaign. The year 2020 brought many significant changes compared to the previous edition. Some of them have been forced by the epidemic isolation and confinement to homes but most of them are innovations introduced thanks to the ingenuity of the organizer and coordinator of the action - Joanna. Let’s get straight to the point. What is new? First, the timing and duration. When in March everything was ready and the action was ready to start in April, a pandemic fell on the eager MAEM employees, like on all of us, effectively stopping all preparations. That is why this year's action, initiated on August 1, lasted only 4 months. Second, technology. Progress and digitalization did not bypass the MAEM run/ bike campaign this year. Its participants departed from filling out paper reports. They were replaced by a special company profile on a popular application for athletes. From now on, we only needed to click on the phone to register our achievements. Third, this year we also gave runners a chance to prove themselves. The campaign was divided into cyclists and runners. Its formula was also extended - this year all the kilometers run by the participants were taken into account those covered on their way to work as well as those covered in their free time. 12 | Winter 2021 | MAEM. I like it
Lech 3878,81 km
Kamil 5391,73 km
Kacper 1122,52 km Przemysław 1057,38 km
maem bikers team 24 244,66 km
Dawid 6666,66 km
Fourth, and perhaps most important - helping. We gave our athletes the opportunity to help through physical activity. As every year, the company rewarded in cash each kilometer covered by the participants of the action. This time, each of the runners and cyclists could decide every month whether they wanted the amount to go to their account or support one of the beneficiaries chosen by us. What came out of it? See for yourself.
pozostali uczestnicy 6127,56 km This year's campaign, despite all the difficulties, was the best one since the beginning of this initiative. Thanks to great organization and commitment of our employees we have once again shown that together we can easily achieve great things. We hope that this year, after the winter break, MAEM athletes will return to training without any problems and next year, at this time, we will again sum up the best run and bike action ever.
First, the record holders in their categories. We present Roman from the IT department and Dawid from the R&D department. Roman during the 4 months of the campaign ran as much as 533 km, Dawid cycled 6666 km. Congratulations! Forty-two people took part in both actions, which is 36% of our company's entire staff. The total distance covered was 26,434 km, which is more than half the circumference of the Earth! Thanks to the commitment to help shown by the MAEM athletes, we were able to provide real support to two centers which became partners of our action this year. These are: the Guide Dog Foundation, which trains guide dogs for the blind and the ‘Rainbow’ A ssociation of Parents and Friends of Children with Down Syndrome in Krakow. In addition to financial resources, the organizations will receive rehabilitation equipment and training accessories necessary for training guide dogs.
Maciej 287,83 km
Dawid 200,13 km
Gabriel 154,72 km Angelika 323,53 km Sebastian 153,07 km
MAEM RUnners team 2190,13 km
Roman 533,19 km pozostali uczestnicy 537,66 km MAEM. I like it | Winter 2021 | 13
PRODUCT RANGE
NEW SOLUTIONS Alternative spare parts for Kral pumps (K) Alternative spare parts for Desmi pumps (NSL, MODULAR S) Alternative spare parts for Alfa Laval pumps (ALP – sizes 15-85)
At MAEM, we strive to provide our customers with the highest quality marine solutions. We have built our whole business on this concept and since the beginning we have continued to seek ways to improve every product that we manufacture. In order to achieve this goal, we have developed our unique reverse engineering method which relies on duplicating in 1:1 ratio the more durable machine component that works identically to the original. Nowadays, our production plant, which employs around 120 people, provides about 10,000 different, totally interchangeable, alternative spare parts and complete marine solutions which are shipped worldwide. We are confident about the quality and functionality of them, but for our customers’ convenience, each of them is covered by warranty. Choosing MAEM solutions, you will definitely get The Smart Value.
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STANDARD SOLUTIONS Alternative spare parts for Alfa Laval & Westfalia separators Plug and play separators
Alternative spare parts for Nirex fresh water generators including plates and gaskets
Reconditioned separator bowls
Alternative spare parts for IMO pumps (ACD, ACE, ACP, ACG, LPD, LPE, ACF) and Allweiler pumps (BAS, SPF, SPZ, TRD, TRF, TRE, ZAS, ZASV)
Alternative spare parts for Jowa bilge water separators
Complete brazed plate heat exchangers
Electronic control systems (reconditioned and brand new)
Alternative spare parts for Aquafine water sterilizers
Replaceable gaskets for plate heat exchangers
Alternative spare parts for Moatti back flushing filters
Scrubber nozzles for pollution control
Product Range | Winter 2021 | 15
THE YOUNG SEAMAN'S LIFE ‘Thank you, Great Water, for making me a crew…’
With a quote from Jurek Porębski's s ailor s ong we welcome Michael Macierzynski, a graduate of Gdynia Maritime School, who has been an active engineer for half a year and describes his work and career path on YouTube channel Young Sailor Vlog. Michael agreed to give us an insight into the path a young adept must take to one day sign his first contract and set sail as a crewman. A doctor, a singer, a firefighter, a policeman and a teacher are the five most popular professions that children aged three to six dream about, according to
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a 2016 IPSOS survey. What was it like for you? Since when did you know you would become a sailor? This was in my second class of high school so it was a mature and thoughtful decision. I've been into mechanics and DIY since I was 7 years old and in high school I spent a lot of my free time fixing my car. Then, I wondered more and more whether I should become a mechanic. At that moment something woke up in me, I was inspired by my brother-in-law, who was then a third officer mechanic on chemical tankers and I decided that I would follow his path.
My brother-in-law, Cezary, directed me on what school to choose, how to get started, what to focus on the most, etc. and at this point I'm a fourth-year mechanical officer and he's a second-year. How did your family react to your plans when they realized you were going to get serious about it? Among the jobs that a young boy can do, there are, let's say, ‘quieter’ professions than sailor. Honestly, my family was a little shocked that I chose this path because everyone
knows that working at sea is associated with many sacrifices and is not the safest. However, af ter some time everyone accepted it calmly and said that I was following in the footsteps of my grandparents because my great-grandfather and my grandfather who served in the Polish Navy, both were connected to the sea. Okay. Everyone already knows that Michael is going to be a sailor. What next? Are you waiting calmly for your university exams or can you start preparations before them to make your future path easier? The moment I knew I was going to apply for a maritime school I started to put more emphasis on learning English because, as we all know, English is the main language at sea.
Nineteen-year-old Michael, during the inauguration of the academic year, receives an index of the Maritime Universit y. This is a miles tone on his way to a career but still does not guarantee success... The moment I got the diploma of the Maritime School I knew it was a big step towards my professional career, I had a strictly defined goal and I persistently pursued it. However, not everyone succeeded - we started the first year in a group of sixteen - by the fifth semester there were probably only seven people left from that group. A lot of people quickly decided that working at sea, many months away from home, wasn't for them and they just handed in their transcripts. One of the best known authorities in the Polish maritime industry community (our regards to Mr Ireneusz) once
said that the sea nourishes and provides work for the whole country, not only for coastal residents. The MAEM company, located about 500 km from the nearest Baltic Sea, is an excellent example of this. Are there many students from inland in the university corridors and later among the crews? Studying maritime studies is certainly closer to people living on the coast, but that doesn't mean that there aren't students from other parts of the country at universities of this type. In my group I had friends from Tricity but also from Warsaw and the area around Czestochowa. I met some Poles on the ships and for example the captain was from Wejherowo, just a few kilometers from where I lived, but I also met a cadet on deck who lived in Lublin. What was your first voyage as a crew â–ś member? Probably as a cadet during Lifestyle | Winter 2021 | 17
a student internship... Can you tell us more about it? Oh, that first cruise when I was already a cadet... Great experience, adrenaline, fear, longing - despite such emotions I remember this contract very well. I visited beautiful places in Europe, I ate great hamburgers in the U.S., drinking coffee from Starbucks, in Mexican ports I met many wonderful people with whom I partied until the morning. I admired the sunset from the best restaurants in Coatzocoalcos. I explored a bit of Africa and sailed through the Suez Canal. I made wonderful friendships on that first ship. The officers and ratings treated me very well, they were polite and friendly because they knew that the first time on a ship is not easy. On my first contract I experienced huge storms in the Atlantic. I learned a lot because I had very good officers in the engine room who tried to make me better every day. You're graduating from your dream college. What does the job market look like? Is it hard for a young graduate to find a good job these days? When I graduate d from Maritime School and I had already passed my exams at the Maritime Office and had 18 | Winter 2021 | Lifestyle
all the documents and diploma of an officer I did not have to wait long to embark on a ship as an engineer of the watch. From the moment I signed my first contract as a cadet with a Dutch shipowner, I had a certain position in the company and basically a certain promotion from cadet to officer. There are very few engineer officers these days so the job market for engine crew is very favorable. Your career at sea has recently begun. Have you ever had moments of doubt when you wished you were spending eight hours in an office ashore? What are some of the things that bother young (and not only) seafarers? I'm sure there have been moments of breakdown, especially when you've been away for six months and aren't sure if you'll be able to return anytime soon. However, after such moments, the sun always comes out and everything returns to normal. Sailors definitely get nostalgic. We miss our girlfriends, families and friends. We often miss the simplest things that we always have at home. It is not uncommon for us to work twelve to sixteen hours a day, get little sleep, and miss our bed and normal sleep. What does your workday look like? What are your main responsibilities on the ship? It's hard to describe what my normal day looks like because things are constantly changing. Sometimes I work eight hours, sometimes fourteen. Every day I have routine duties, which means I make rounds in the engine room, check the condition of the equipment and machines. When everything is in order, I start my standard work. These include the production of steam in the ship's boilers, I am also responsible for fresh water production, the sewage treatment plant, the proper treatment of fuels using centrifuges and the
management of oily water and used oil. I have to control the quality of cooling water for engines and other machinery. The ship's incinerator, bilge water separator, centrifuges, boilers, and pump evaporator are all pinned to my position as fourth engineer officer. The life of a sailor is not just a job there are many legends about it. Free time and visiting the most beautiful corners of the world, freedom, harbour taverns? How do seafarers spend their free time during their contracts? Let's assume that there is no pandemic and the restrictions associated with it. The life of a sailor is really great. You get the opportunity to explore the whole world. I experienced it myself. In our free time we went out on the town, to the beaches, to beautiful restaurants for discos. We went on all kinds of trips, for example to the NASA center in Houston. I loved that sailor life!
significantly increase the amount of work necessary for mechanics to maintain proper operation of the equipment entrusted to them. When I am sure that a manufacturer of alternative parts does not compromise on quality, I can rest assured as their user. I decided to trust the MAEM brand because I see that it deserves it. Thank you for your kind words and trust and for the interview, as well. We will be meeting Michael on other MAEM marketing channels. In the meantime, we invite you to follow Michael at: Youtube: youngsailorvlog Instagram: xmiczix Facebook: Michal Macierzynski
Michael, we are delighted that you have agreed to start cooperation with MAEM as its ambassador. We will be very glad to welcome you to our factory and, thanks to our camera, to take a peek into your professional life from time to time. While working on ships, I have encountered alternative replacement parts for many pieces of equipment. They are not a bad thing. However, depending on the supplier, there are products of varying quality. Low-quality, arguably cheaper, parts can be quite problematic to install and tend to wear out quickly. These products provide illusory savings for the shipowner, but
Lifestyle | Winter 2021 | 19
HARBOUR CITIES SEA OF ATTRACTIONS In the second article dedicated to the curiosities of the most beautiful harbour cities we still stay in Poland. This time we move from Tricity to the west coast, where there is a harbour complex - one of the biggest in the Baltic Sea region. The harbours in Szczecin and Swinoujscie are situated on the shortest route connecting Scandinavia with Central and Southern Europe, as well as on the shortest sea route connecting, through the Baltic Sea, Finland and Russia, Lithuania, Latvia and Es tonia with Germany and Western Europe.
Szczecin is the capital and largest city of the Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship, located on Szczecin's Embankment, on the Odra River and Dabie Lake. The history of the city dates back to the 9th century, when Slavic dukes built here a fortress surrounded by a moat, at the foot of which a trading and fishing settlement developed. Szczecin has a very rich history, which, like Swinoujscie, was influenced by the changing rulers over the centuries - Poland, Denmark, Sweden and Prussia. Since 1945 the city has belonged to Poland, as part of the so called Recovered Territories. Due to its border location and proximity to the Baltic Sea, accessible via the navigable Odra River and Szczecin Deluge, Szczecin has become the central economic hub of the region. The city has a seaport, repair, yacht and naval shipyards. The city is a tourist center with a large number of historic buildings. It is also an academic center with a number of renowned universities, and a cultural center with numerous theaters, museums and the famous Opera House
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The harbour in Swinoujscie is on the sea coast, while the one in Szczecin is 68 kilometers inland. The crossing of the waterway from the roadstead in Swinoujscie to Szczecin takes 4 hours. The location of the ports in Szczecin and Swinoujscie in relation to each other makes them complementary. Thanks to its location by the sea, Swinoujscie can provide highly efficient ferry connections and offer access to larger vessels - up to 13.5 metres of draft. On the other hand, the harbour in Szczecin, far from the sea and accessible to smaller
vessels - with a draught of up to 9.15 metres - gives the opportunity to reach the hinterland by the cheapest sea route, and therefore much closer to the recipients and senders of the cargo handled there. The two harbour towns are very different from each other in size, character and status. Both are beautiful in their own way and equally worth a visit. Swinoujscie and Szczecin are well connected with each other. Using public transport, you can easily get from one to the other in about two hours.
Philharmonic The new headquarters of the Philharmonic in Szczecin is one of the most modern buildings in Poland, which has already become a contemporary architectural icon. It stands out with its unusually original soaring mass, designed by Spanish architects from Barozzi Veiga studio from Barcelona. The building, which was erected on the site of the pre-war Concert House - Konzerthaus, combines history and modernity, taking inspiration from its former location and historical buildings. The Philharmonic follows the European tradition of concert halls and houses.
Podzamcze There is a reason why Szczecin's Podzamcze is called ‘the new old town'. As a result of air raids by the Allies, most of the Lower Town was razed to the ground. Its present-day appearance is different from the original one, although it refers to it. Today the Sienny Square is a meeting place frequented by people from Szczecin and tourists.
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Chrobry Embankments One of the most beautiful observation terraces in Europe, from which you can watch the vast panorama of the Odra and the harbor. The embankment is 500 meters long and lies 19 meters above the level of the Odra river bank. The upper part of the embankment houses the Naval Academy and the building that houses the Contemporary Theatre and the National Museum. The West Pomeranian Provincial Of f ice is also located there. Opposite the National Museum around 1914 a two-figure sculpture of Hercules fighting with Centaur was placed. At the foot of the Embankment there is a fountain with figures of Jan from Kolno and Wyszak, and two tall columns stylized as lighthouses.
Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes The Renaissance Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes, located on a hill near the Odra River, is one of the most important monuments of Western Pomerania. In the past it was the residence of the House of Griffins - the dynasty ruling in the Pomeranian Dukedom from the XII century to 1637. Above the five-winged edifice with two courtyards - the Large and the Mint - dominate towers: the Bells, the Prison and the Clock. Inside the castle one can see, among others, the Witches' Cell with replicas of instruments of punishment and torture, dedicated to Sidonia von Borck, executed after being accused of witchcraft, as well as Lubinus' Cabinet, an outstanding cartographer from the XVII century, with a valuable copy of his Great Map of Pomeranian Duchy. A special place is the Crypt of the Griffins with the sarcophagi of the former rulers of the Duchy. On the roof of the North Wing there is a Princes' Terrace, from which, as well as from the Bell Tower - the highest vantage point of the castle - an impressive panorama can be admired.
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The city lies on the Swina Strait, which in its northern part joins the Baltic Sea and in its southern part the Szczecin Deluge. It is spread over three inhabited islands: Uznam, Wolin and Karsibor as well as on 41 smaller uninhabited islands. The first human settlements in what is now Swinoujscie appeared as early as 5,000 years ago, as evidenced by archaeological findings, and the oldest records of the area date back to the 12th century. The history of Swinoujscie, as well as that of the entire region, has been marked by the intersection of Polish, Swedish, Danish and Prussian interests. Swinoujscie was granted town rights in 1765 and in 1747 a harbour was built there; it was destroyed during World War II. In 1824 the town became a resort, and in 1895, after the discovery of brine and peloid springs - a health resort. After World War II, under the Potsdam Agreement, Swinoujscie became the most westwards located Polish harbour, the reconstruction of which began in 1948. It was rebuilt in 1948 and changed from a war harbour to a commercial-fishing harbour. Today, Swinoujscie combines the atmosphere of a holiday resort with a modern harbour center. There are plenty of beautiful sandy beaches bordered by forests, as well as port infrastructure, with the LNG terminal at the forefront. The rich history of Swinoujscie is also a treat for history enthusiasts - there are several interesting museums in the town, such as the Museum of Coastal Defense and Marine Fisheries. Lovers of active recreation will find kilometers of biking and hiking trails. The city also has a wide range of restaurants and cafes located along the promenade. An undoubted attraction is the possibility to cross the symbolic border crossing on foot and visit our western neighbors.
We hope that we will encourage you to spend some time getting to know two beautiful port cities of the Polish west coast. In the next edition of the journey through the port cities we will leave Poland, remaining on the Baltic Sea. See you there!
Lifestyle | Winter 2021 | 23
TASTE MANUFACTORY
In the winter edition of M Magazine we want to return for a moment to a place smelling of ginger and various sweets, located in Jaroslaw, a town in the south of Poland. We ended up there completing New Year's presents (some of you probably received them) and carefully selecting suppliers of individual products. The place enchanted us with delicious sweets, full professionalism of cooperation between client and supplier but most of all with sincere cordiality with which we were treated during the whole process of ordering Christmas gingerbreads for MAEM. Time for presentation - it is the Taste Manufactory confectionery. W h e n w e h e a r d a b o u t t h e Ta s t e Manufactor y we immediately knew that our Christmas gingerbreads would be made there. The confectionery is created by 13 disabled people together with their tutors. Together, they prepare delicious cakes and cookies which we had the pleasure to taste. The Taste Manufactory is one of many activities conducted by the Jarosław branch of the Polish A ssociation of People with Intellectual Disabilities. PSONI is an organization which every day breaks stereotypes, overcomes myths and fights against social exclusion and injustice. It is an association of positive people with passion who through their work give a smile, sense of fulfillment and stability to others.
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PSONI organization in Jarosław is a place for vocational activation, successfully preparing people with intellectual disabilities for employment. Thanks to the efforts of the association, its mentees have positions in many local businesses, working on the same basis as their non-disabled counterparts. In addition to the cake shop, PSONI also offers jobs in other businesses it runs, such as: • • • •
Kitchen Behind the Park - restaurant European Climates - lunch bar Object Gallery - cafeteria manufacturing of various products,
including the ecological fire starter K-Lumet In addition to professional activation, the Association provides people with disabilities with the opportunity to learn independent living in specially prepared training apartments. Thanks to this, many of them have managed to adapt to running the household independently. In our opinion, the best form of help that can be given to the charges of PSONI is to use their services, to which
we cordially invite you. We are sure that ordering Christmas gingerbread was the first but not the last contact with the association. We hope that we will meet again, despite the distance that separates us. PSONI is a public benefit organization so once a year those of us who pay our taxes in Poland can additionally support this wonderful initiative. It is enough to declare in your annual tax return to transfer 1% of your taxes to KRS 00000 10902 which we encourage and on behalf of PSONI Jaroslaw thank you in advance. If you ever happen to be in south-eastern Poland, don't forget to visit the Taste Manufactory. For sure you will find something tasty and like us you will come back there more than once. We invite you to do that on behalf of our guests and the patisserie's caretakers. If you would like to find out more about PSONI Jarosław, please visit their website www.psoni-jaroslaw.org.pl, as well as their Facebook profiles of activities they run. Remember, it's worth helping.
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MAEM has no associations and/or claims to be associated with the Allweiler, Aquafine, Alfa Laval, Colfax IMO, Desmi, Jowa, Kral, Moatti, Nirex, Westfalia or the Group of their Companies worldwide. Any implied associations are purely coincidental and are not inferred. MAEM is a supplier of fully interchangeable non-genuine spare parts (alternatives) for equipment produced by manufacturers using in accordance with law the following brands: Allweiler, Aquafine, Alfa Laval, Colfax IMO, Desmi, Jowa, Kral, Moatti, Nirex, Westfalia and their products, i.e. separators, pumps, filters, fresh water generators, heat exchangers, sterilizers, etc. Alternative spare parts produced by MAEM are manufactured according own technological documentation developed with the use of reverse engineering.
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