CITY BIOGRAPHIES Photo: J. Wittchen
erkt Monika H of PHC Director
The biography of our institution and our team could be divided into three acts. The first chapter of this story was set at the Poznań City Hall thanks to the first opportunities arising from the European funds and the process of revitalisation. In the second chapter we were already an independent entity – TRAKT Cultural Tourism Centre – taking our first steps in heritage interpretation and developing the Royal-Imperial Route and Porta Posnania. The third chapter is starting now – with a brand new mission, development strategy and name – Poznan Heritage Centre. Will we have to add some further chapters to this biography in a few years? Probably yes. Like everyone, we keep reacting to what is going on around us, changing and searching for the new paths. At the same time, we stay true to our values which have been important to us for the last 15 years and remain at the centre of our interest – Poznań heritage. Meanwhile, we are trying not to get ahead of ourselves too much and rather focus on the here and now, that is on the Enigma Cipher Centre – a new place on the educational and cultural map of the city. The idea to create it came several years ago from community activists and enthusiasts. The City of Poznań saw the project’s potential and engaged in obtaining the funds and managing the investment process. This relay race of sorts will be taken over on
the home stretch by our team. Already this year we will welcome you at Collegium Martineum where you will be able to visit an exhibition presenting the people and events that changed the course of world history. I began this editorial with the word “biography” on purpose. It defines the thematic scope of this issue of Dzikhi BIT. You will find here articles presenting biographies of (extra)ordinary men and women – Poznań city dwellers (either by birth or by choice or out of necessity), objects, buildings and districts, all of which contribute to the diverse character of our city. I would like to encourage you to immerse yourselves in this wonderful collection of articles and interviews. They were written for you by my colleagues and invited experts. I hope that they will inspire you to do some further research on your own, reflect and weave your own stories about Poznań. We continue to welcome you at Porta Poznania, at the Royal-Imperial Route, the Poznań Legends Route for Children, in the districts of Jeżyce, Łazarz and Wilda, the Śluza Gallery and soon at the Enigma Cipher Centre. See you there!
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