European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 27, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Poland is photos by Kevin Dougherty frugal folks keep City at country s financial forefront crowds gather daily in front of the old marketplace to watch two mechanical goats butt Heads in the clock Tower of the town Hall. By Kevin Dougherty staff writer the Road from Berlin to Warsaw cuts across the Flat and Fertile lowlands of the Wielkopolski Region otherwise known As great Poland. Halfway Between the two cities is Poznan Poland s first capital and the Region s commercial Hub. From its years under prussian Rule to time spent behind the Iron curtain Poznan has always been a place for people filled with vigor and ready for risk. Residents of Poland s fifth largest City Are As they were in years past a restless and enterprising lot and that entrepreneurial spirit is evident today throughout most of the City where Western style stores and Neon lights help illuminate the difference Between what was and what is. Drab looking storefronts from the communist Era stand in Stark contrast to businesses with modern d6cor and fashionable wares. Although Poland enjoys greater Access to More goods and services the people of Poznan tend to be frugal with their Money said Stanley Szkaradek a retired headmaster of a Poznan music school. The people prefer to keep their Money and build Small private houses than to spend it on alcohol for example said Szkaradek who now works As an Independent tour guide. Poznan is regarded As the Cradle of the polish state and a historic trading Center. In the Early ninth Century Poznan was a fortified settlement clustered around a wooden Castle on Ostrow Tumski Cathedral Island an islet in the Warta River. The first polish Bishopric a Church District or diocese was founded in 968, two years after slavs were converted to christianity. Prince Mieszko i elevated the Island stronghold to the state s capital in the late 10th Century. The City remained a major trading Center though the capital was moved to krak6w in the 1 he Century. In 1253, Monarch pro Ernst i chartered Poznan on the left Bank of the Warta River and granted the town municipal rights. Until the 13th Century Poznan and nearby Gnu Zeno alternated As a quasi capital because the polish Kings could not stay too Long in one place Szkaradek two boys scan through a sticker collection offered by a Vendor in the old marketplace. To stripes Magazine january 27, 1994