Chuck Nessa Posted September 16, 2011 Report Posted September 16, 2011 (edited) It seems that Ann and I will be in Poznan for a festival in late November. We have the opportunity to set the date for our return ticket. It would be good to have some advice on things to do / places to go in the days following the festival. We will be occupied thru November 27. I know Germany is close, but what to do. Thanks for any info. Edited September 16, 2011 by Chuck Nessa Quote
BeBop Posted September 16, 2011 Report Posted September 16, 2011 Nearly all of my time in Poznan has been working. If you're looking for work, perhaps I could help As I recall, it was just three hours by train to Berlin, and about the same to Warsaw. Berlin's definitely the choice here. (Kind of sad that the only real thing I can tell you is how to get out of Poznan.) Most of what I remember of Poznan was churches, cathedrals and museums, none of which interest me much. I'm much more interested in living culture. A few of my coworkers did brewery tours. I took an old fashioned, steam-powered (?) train to a big park (started with a "W") There were a bunch of clubs, and it seems like a disproportionate number featured music that aspired to be jazz. Quote
gmonahan Posted September 16, 2011 Report Posted September 16, 2011 Nearly all of my time in Poznan has been working. If you're looking for work, perhaps I could help As I recall, it was just three hours by train to Berlin, and about the same to Warsaw. Berlin's definitely the choice here. (Kind of sad that the only real thing I can tell you is how to get out of Poznan.) Most of what I remember of Poznan was churches, cathedrals and museums, none of which interest me much. I'm much more interested in living culture. A few of my coworkers did brewery tours. I took an old fashioned, steam-powered (?) train to a big park (started with a "W") There were a bunch of clubs, and it seems like a disproportionate number featured music that aspired to be jazz. Krakow is very pretty, with a historic university where Copernicus worked. Far less happy but important and deeply moving and nearby that city is Auschwitz. gregmo Quote
JohnS Posted September 16, 2011 Report Posted September 16, 2011 Yes, Krakow is very nice, old town, decent jazz club. We spent few days there including a sobering visit to Auschwitz. Quote
king ubu Posted September 16, 2011 Report Posted September 16, 2011 Krakow is definitely worth seeing, yes. And the trip to Auschwitz also. Make sure to plan a whole day for it and make sure to go to Birkenau as well (the destruction camp, largely destroyed, but walking through that huge area with your memory working and your imagination bringing up all the terrible stuff you know about what happened there - that's one of the worst and most intense experiences I've had so far)... some of the exhibitions and brouha in Auschwitz (the work camp) is high-gloss crap, but it's definitely worth looking at some of the pavillions (when I was there, about ten years ago, each nation had their own pavillion with their own "history" and exhibition in it - guess that's still the same - and the jewish/Israeli one was just loads of images trying to impress, but others - mainly the Polish - were very good. Quote
JohnS Posted September 16, 2011 Report Posted September 16, 2011 You are right Flurin, Birkenau really brings the horror home to you. Quote
Niko Posted September 16, 2011 Report Posted September 16, 2011 when i went to Krakow (recommended) i made a stop in Wroclaw which is nice, too, though not quite as spectacular; only changed trains in Poznan and it seemed considerably less charming than the other two Quote
AllenLowe Posted September 16, 2011 Report Posted September 16, 2011 personally I wouldn't go there until they add some more vowels. Quote
JETman Posted September 16, 2011 Report Posted September 16, 2011 personally I wouldn't go there until they add some more vowels. I've heard that one can buy those. Quote
LWayne Posted September 16, 2011 Report Posted September 16, 2011 (edited) I spent some time in Poland about 13 years ago when on an extended assignment. I would have to agree about the beauty of Krakow and the view overlooking the Vistula River. I also recall there being a couple of nice jazz clubs with mostly local talent. Warsaw is also an interesting city from the historical perspective. While the old town was almost completely destroyed during World War II, there were several remarkable museums. In particular, the museum detailing the formation of the infamous ghetto was worthwhile (reminiscent of many scenes from the movie "The Pianist"). Speaking of piano, there were many piano recitals for native son Frederic Chopin that I found to be enjoyable as well. If you venture to Berlin, check out the clubs A-Trane and Quasimodo. Best LWayne Edited September 16, 2011 by LWayne Quote
Son-of-a-Weizen Posted September 16, 2011 Report Posted September 16, 2011 i made a stop in Wroclaw which is nice, too, Yes it is. Went there several times in the 80's. The old 'Rathaus' is quite nice...I have a 1905 litho hanging in my home and admire it daily. Also recommend Czestochowa -- to see the Black Madonna and the Nobel that Lech walesa was awarded in '83. then.. ..and now Quote
porcy62 Posted September 17, 2011 Report Posted September 17, 2011 (edited) but walking through that huge area with your memory working and your imagination bringing up all the terrible stuff you know about what happened there - that's one of the worst and most intense experiences I've had so far)... Definitely, I had the same feeling. I've been deeply changed by that place. Edited September 17, 2011 by porcy62 Quote
Leeway Posted September 17, 2011 Report Posted September 17, 2011 Is the Alchemia Club still a going concern in Krakow? Some fine jazz recordings made there. Looks like a cool jazz festival is taking place in Krakow from September through November 28th. Brotzmann will be there on Nov. 8th! Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted September 17, 2011 Author Report Posted September 17, 2011 We will be attending a festival in Poznan. Threadgill will be there with Zooid as well as Corey Wilkes, Ari Brown and a bunch of other Chicagoans paying tribute to Von Freeman. When I have more info and the full lineup I will post it. Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted September 17, 2011 Report Posted September 17, 2011 I took a school trip to a small town outside of Lodz about ten years back (between Poznan and Warsaw). Marvellous people, beautiful rolling countryside. The trip to visit Auschwitz/Birkenau was a bit of a long haul but well worth it - had a huge impact on the kids I was with. Sadly we only had 45 minutes in Krakow after we'd eaten. Really disappointing as the city looked beautiful from what we saw of the market place. Quote
JohnS Posted September 17, 2011 Report Posted September 17, 2011 When I was in Krakow there were some very nice sounds from Janusz Muniak, he has a club just a few steps from the main square. I also found the tradition of the trumpeter who plays a few notes on the hour from the tower in the square oddly moving. Quote
Christiern Posted September 17, 2011 Report Posted September 17, 2011 personally I wouldn't go there until they add some more vowels. Vanna bet? Quote
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