Last Sunday, I spent at a music festival in Poznan called Ethnoport. This festival, organized for the 8th time, is focused on a promotion of ethnic music from all over the world. Every time, the organization committee is very successful in getting involved the musicians from a variety of countries who are experts in their ethnic music. I had a wonderful time at this festival last year so when the time came I bought a one day ticket. I’ve learned few important things at this festival that I wish to share with you. You don’t need to travel to see the world This might sound controversial, but it is he truth! Depending on where you live there are thousands of initiatives that bring the world to you. From food festivals, through street theatre ending with music festivals. So many of us simply cannot move around because of work or family businesses and there are plenty of opportunities to see the world close to you. Poznan city is quite successful in creating a good climate so artists from distant places come and visit us. I urge you to get involved in your local initiatives! Just to give you one word of encouragement I’ll tell you a story. Last year I walked the Camino. For over two weeks, I walked through three regions in the north of Spain: Castille and Leon, Asturias and Galicia. One may think that walking slowly a certain area will bring you close to the people and the culture of this area. And, generally speaking, it is the truth: the slower you go the closer you get, but in a case of the Camino the situation was different. A status of a pilgrim somehow excludes you from an extensive contact with the country. A few elements of culture, like local food, gets to you but as you are focused on a pilgrimage per se, learning the country is limited. I walked the Camino and I haven’t had any opportunity to listen to a traditional music. I eventually listened to it…in Poznan! Ethnoport brought a traditional band from Galicia – one of the regions I walked through. And for the first time I listened to this amazing sounds! Ethnic music is touching No matter from which country the band comes from, the traditional music is deeply touching. I find it hard to explain, but being exposed to a variety of ethnic music for the whole day (5 concerts in a row) I got the impression that this music is authentic. And through its authenticity it touches you at a very deep level. The tempo, the rhythm, and the melody combined together in a simple song tells you a lot about people who created it. Ethnicity through music is easy to experience. Stories, dances, instruments – it is all strictly connected to the region where it comes from. I felt wonderful at a concert by Máirtín O’Connor Band from Ireland. The musicians were talking about their homeland and for me this was very special because I went to this region twice and I loved it! A traditional Irish music is so joyful that people left their chairs and started dancing. For the artists, this was an amazing view and it looked like we all had fun.  Human body is the best music instrument It is interesting to watch the original instruments brought by artists. Some of them were created in a very specific conditions and are unique. The most common instrument, however, is a human body. If you listen to the sounds that artists are able to make, you will be stunned. My personal favorite is throat overtone singing. It is spread in Asia and in many other countries so I find it amusing that so many people were singing it for so long! Practical issues Did I convince you to participate Ethnoport in Poznan? Well, if I did I hope you’ll join us next year. The festival is organized annually at the beginning of June so save the date! The best way to experience the world music to the fullest is to stay at the festival for the whole day. I spent a Sunday there and listened to as many as 5 concerts, but I think it was worthy! If you need any precise information about the festival or if you wish to share your experience comment this post below. What is your way to learning the world when you are not traveling?   

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Poznan is easy to love. Not that I am biased by the fact of being raised in this city. Poznan is simply a very attractive place to visit and to have fun. Let’s say you’re coming to Poznan to visit me. Where should I go with you? What should we see together? Here are few places in my home city I would like you to visit. All are really special to me. For a good start To fully appreciate any place you need to relax first. There is no use to running around like a mad cat. So first I’m going to take you to a cafe. Poznan is known for a variety of cafes located in the heart of the city. There are many places to enjoy your coffee or snack but there are three places I particularly like. Our first stop is Kamea Cafe on Wroniecka Street. There are couple of reasons why I picked up this place. First, I remember it from my high school times. This cafe was located elsewhere but successfully survived more than a decade serving fabulous desserts. Second, I like the interior design of this place. It’s not excessively fancy nor rustic, its brown color creates a nice atmosphere of leisure and feast at the same time. Third, the fruit and ice cream desserts are delicious! I’m not going to tell you which is my favorite. You need to figure it out for yourself. And lastly, I have good memories of meeting my friends here. When I lived abroad and stayed in Poznan for few days a year there was always an issue on how to meet all friends in a very short time. And, more importantly, not having an apartment in Poznan: where to meet them all? Kamea was just perfect for long winter evenings and bright summer nights. Having my dessert in Kamea now brings all these wonderful moments alive. So this is a special place to me. Where next? Another place, another story. Dominikanska Street no 7 hosts Tea Shop Chimera. It combines exquisite tea selling with cozy cafe and good restaurant. Surprised? Well, although this mix sounds weird I think this place is very successful in hosting guests of all kinds. Since I remember this tea shop was here and in my high school time this was one of very few places where we could drink a high quality green or white tea. For years this was a place of meetings with my school mates, which is especially joyful many years after graduation. People from my high school spread around the world so whenever there is a holiday season we try to gather in Poznan. This is a tough task but we managed to meet few times after we parted at the end of high school. Just recently, visiting Chimera with my Italian friends I discovered how good the local kitchen is! My dear friend ate here an exquisite duck with dumplings and red cabbage (pretty traditional Polish food) and she told me that this was the best duck she has ever eaten! Here is something extra for you: Erin and her family recently visited Poznan and they picked up best Polish food. Find out what foreigner appreciate in Polish kitchen! Good company The last place I wish to share with you was discovered recently. Hosting Laurence and Vera from Finding the Universe travel blog few weeks ago I tried to find a very particular place to have our coffee at. And found one! Through a radio station International Poznan I’ve heard a story of Erik – an American guy from Seattle – who runs a small coffee shop at Ratajczaka Street, 18, called The Bigfoot Cofee Shop. This place might be tricky to find as it is located along a street restricted to traffic. But when you find it you will love it! Erik is one of the most friendly people I have ever met. I’m not going to share his story here. To know him you will need to visit this place for yourself. Let me just tell you that his coffee machine and sandwiches are delicious! Plus: his photographs of Poznan he exhibits on walls are fantastic! You can see that he loves our city. This story continues. Follow me to know Poznan and let’s go to Food Market together! Disclosure: this post was kindly supported by City of Poznan, however, all opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.  

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