The Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in

POZNAN
THE CITY ON THE WARTA RIVER
The history of Poznan goes back to the 10 th century. At the early times of
the Piast Dynasty – Mieszko I and Boleslavus the Brave (whose remains
rest in the Poznan Cathedral which was built in the middle of the 11 th century)
– the stronghold served as the prince’s seat. In 1253 Poznan was
granted city rights. At the turn of the 13 th century, it was the residence of
Prince Przemysl I, and of the Polish king Przemysl II.
Good geographical location – on the East-West and North-South lines – influenced
the development of the city – an important artisan and trade center
(annual St. John’s Fair). During the years of the Renaissance, Poznan
experienced its ‘golden years’ – getting richer and bigger. It was then that
the townhall was erected (designed by Jan Baptista di Quadro, an Italian
architect) as well as the building for the Lubanski’s Academy – the first
higher education institution in the city.
Starting from the end of the 18 th century, Poznan became dominated by
the Baroque and classic-like buildings, mainly sacral, among them the
magnificent buildings of the Jesuits’ Collegium. That school was an important
research centre, and it offered such courses as: experimental physics,
architecture, geography, history and ‘live languages’. Dynamic development
of the city was suddenly interrupted in 1793 when the Wielkopolska
Region was taken over by the Prussian State.
Poznan, being in the Prussian partition, changed into a strong military
fortified fortress. At the same time, it became a two-national city: Polish
and German, where the native inhabitants (Poles) were discriminated politically,
economically and culturally by the incoming Germans. The Posnanians
opposed the Germanization process by starting on several initiatives
in different areas of social life, for example the first public library was
established (founded by Edward Raczynski), the Polish Theatre was built
thanks to the public donations (until the present day there is an inscription
on the fronton, saying: to the Nation – from the Nation). There existed
scholarly, social and artistic societies, among them active singing circles
which cultivated the native language in songs. Poznan returned to Poland
following a military Wielkoposka Rising at the turn of 1918, i.e. after the
World War I and the Treaty of Versailles.
The interwar period was the time of prosperity and intensive development
of the city, which was closely connected with setting up of the
Poznan International Fair – the continuation of centuries old trade traditions.
Poznan became also an important centre of intellectual life, no longer
restricted by anti-Polish repressive measures. The Poznan University and
The Poznan Conservatory of Music started their activities. Poznan of those
years was often described in the press releases as “the Polish musical
Athens” or “the musical capital of Poland” – it was all because of high level
of musical culture, and outstanding activities of the opera house and vivid
choir movement.
During the World War II, especially during the fights for the Citadel, 55%
of the city was destroyed. The reconstruction began in 1945 and the city
was extended by new districts, more remote from the city centre (Rataje,
Winogrady, Piatkowo).
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