The coronavirus has touched a diverse collection of countries and cultures. The World Health Organization has labelled COVID-19 a pandemic. And as we all learned, over-reacting is better than non-reacting. Last few days and weeks has been different for everyone, with places like schools, museums, restaurants, bars and many other places closed.

Coronavirus (koronawirus), social distancing (dystans społeczny), quarantine (kwarantanna), frequent hand washing (częste mycie rąk), panic (panika), global spread (globalne rozprzestrzenianie), avoiding crowded places (unikanie zatłoczonych miejsc): these are common phrases we heard recently and keep hearing every day now. 

Between parents trying to homeschool their kids, people trying to cope without work and direct contact with friends, and everyone just doing their best to save lives right now by staying home, we see a lot of wise/funny/crazy phrases posted on social channels.

You probably saw this quote online: “Your grandparents were asked to go to war. You are being asked to sit on the couch. Think about it carefully and act accordingly.”(“Twoi dziadkowie byli wezwani do wojny. Ty jesteś poproszony o siedzenie na kanapie. Pomyśl o tym ostrożnie i działaj odpowiednio”).

We are scared, but we have hope, and that is what keeps us going. With a lot of people around the world stuck at home right now, universities, libraries, museums, theaters and many other organizations are doing their best to keep our interaction with the world alive! Literally!

As a mom of 2 kids at home right now, I try to keep our lives as normal as possible. And I’m positively overwhelmed with the amount of virtual possibilities available online right now. Museums are offering virtual tours and lessons, theaters are letting you watch their plays online at no cost, universities offer free online courses (although I’m definitely not bored right now, I’m still considering taking couple of these), gyms have free online workout sessions, musicians host online live concerts…

Somehow, in these crazy times, kindness, love and compassion shines…because not long ago we took for granted coffee with friends, barbecue parties, a handshake with a friend, a group hug, full shelves at the grocery stores, toilet paper (🤪), a football game at a stadium or a crazy morning trying to get our kids ready for school.

I hope we all are doing our best! To help you a little bit, here is a list of few places in Poland that offer free lessons/tours/workshops. They may help you with learning Polish language, Polish culture, Polish history…or they may just be something interesting to watch.

Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego

Few days ago the museum started online tours/lessons live (minimum 4 every day). Just follow their facebook profile (Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego) to get updates!

Łazienki Królewskie

The Royal Łazienki museum and gardens offer virtual tours as well. Follow their Facebook page for updates on these.

Smart Kids Planet

This website offers great workshops daily at 11am on how to spend time with your kids in creative way at home (you can rewatch it later as well). On their Facebook page you can see a schedule for the next few days with guidelines what accessories (usually everything you can find around the house) you would need for each activity/project.

 Ninateka

Here you can find documentaries, reportages, animations, records of theater and opera performances, concert recordings, reports documenting cultural and social life, radio broadcasts and many more! It is always free, not only during these difficult days we are facing right now. Great for those interested in Polish culture.

 Teatr Lalek Guliwer

Again, follow their Facebook profile for details on their online activities.

I look forward to other suggestions from all of you as well. Please share them with me in comments below. Stay home, stay safe and have fun exploring online world!