I
had the opportunity this week to learn more about the history of Poznan. In my
G4 class, we have started a new topic called ‘Amazing cities’, and we are
beginning by looking at the city we live in. I am very happy about this, as I
feel that I am in fact learning more than the pupils!!!
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| Model village |
We
took a school trip into the old market and visited a museum which had a model
of what Poznan looked like and how it has developed over the centuries. It was
quite interesting to hear the stories of revolutions, civil wars and invasions.
It was also fascinating to see that although so much has happened over hundreds
of years, the old market square that I would walk through several times a week,
looks the same now as it did back then (architecturally of course, as obviously
the advertisement hoardings and businesses have changed the appearance!)
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| G4 enjoying the trip |
After
the model presentation, we went on a ‘city game tour’. The pupils where given a
map and some clues, and they had to manoeuver their way through the streets and
follow different clues to lead them to the final destination. This was lots of
fun, especially as it gave me a chance to explore Poznan in a different way. We
eventually found ourselves back at city hall at midday, just in time to see the
two wooden goats emerge from the clock tower and ram heads 12 times. The
children thoroughly enjoyed this and were clapping and singing along. I was
very surprised to see hundreds of other people in the square looking at the
goats and I was told by my teacher that the people were mostly locals who came
every day at midday to watch this as they believed it brought them good luck.
I
have also had a different type of cultural experience this week in the form of
‘Juwenalia.’ This is celebrated once a year in most student cities in Poland.
It is when, for a few days of the year, the students have the ‘freedom of the
city.’ The celebrations start with a student march to city hall, where the
Mayor of the city hands over the key to the city. Most university classes are
cancelled during this period and the students celebrate this by organising
concerts, parties and sports events. The concerts are held in a huge park not
far from my dormitory, and have been hosting some of the biggest bands in
Poland over the past few days. It has been a fantastic experience getting to
witness this first hand and it is things like this that makes me wonder if the
universities back home would benefit with huge events like this as it seems to
bring a sense of togetherness and community between all students.
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| Mayor handing over the key to the students |
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