European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 1, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                / pol Walt Chopin s. Roots a a a a. A a a a a �.�����. A. A a a a. A a a a a a. A a a. A a.  .���. A a a a tourists make trek to composer s Birthplace by Jon Connor. Staff writer one historically important place for the music world is the Birthplace of Poland s most famous 19th-Century Tom Roser Fri doric Francois Chopin. A Zelazo a Wola is on the outskirts of Sochaczek a City about 30 Miles East of Warsaw. Chopin born in 1810, spent the first eight months of his life there. It s Quot no important place or City Quot said Tomasz Myslinski a Vendor Selling tourist hardware outside the Park. But that of course depends on perspective. Quot every year hundreds of thousands of tourists visit Chopin s Birthplace. And As Myslinski pointed out 400,000 came four years ago during a major Chopin piano Competition. The developed Countryside surrounding Chopin s Home is a Beautiful Lush layout of a wide variety of evergreens Pines and Floral growth. _ Quot a Bronze Monument of Chopin and a Stone bust stand in front of the former Manor. Five Large Chestnut Trees thought to be More than 100 years old surround the House. A Bridge leads Over a Pond to a Small wooden building where Young hearts have left their names paired for the Ages. _ Quot this is a place where Young lovers meet Quot said Sochaczek resident Agnieszka Swiecka pointing out where she and her husband s names Are engraved. A one vacationing american couple experiencing this Serene setting in september was Douglas and Shirley Hamilton from los Angeles. _ it was their seventh trip to Europe but their first to a _ Poland. And like other visitors they included a Stop at Chopin s Birthplace on their itinerary. Asked if they were fans of Chopin Shirley replied Quot i m not big on his music at  Quot Quot i saw a movie on him in 1938,"�?odouglas recalled. A soon like other sightseers on this trip the Hamiltons received a Quick background sketch on Chopin and a tour of his Home. Quot he was a Genius child Quot and Quot very Small Quot the tour guide told them. But Quot Chopin s music was not easily accepted Quot the guide added because it was considered too modern. / Chapin St Birthplace to which he returned during. Holidays and at other periods in his life does not hold furniture that was actually owned by Chopin but the House has been decorated with native furniture typical of his family s lifestyle. It along with Many other polish buildings had been ravaged during the Napoleonic wars and two world wars. Many of the rooms have ceilings reinforced with thick wooden beams and wooden Plank floors. The Walls Are painted White reflecting simple tastes of the time. In the drawing room a concert piano is kept for the pianists who perform recitals from 11 . To 3 . On sundays during the Spring and summer months. The biggest com is known As the Mother s room. In it Are copies of portraits of Chopin s parents and Sisters along with his christening and birth certificates among other things. The upstairs is closed to the Public. _. _ the Home is open from 10 . To 5 30 . From May 1 to sept. 30, and from 10 . To 4 . From oct. 1 to april 30, daily except mondays. Saturday . _ 10 . To 2 . Year round. Entrance to the House and Park is 40,000 zlotys about $2. A pianist accepts roses after performing a concert at the Birthplace of fr4d4ric Chopin. A amps photos by Dave Casey above a bust of Chopin rests on the estate grounds. At right a St be of piano popular during Chopin s time is on display at the Home. It did not belong to Chopin or his family