Irish fans travelling to Poznan this summer can expect a warm Polish welcome and a town ready to party. From its historic sights, young student population, culinary delights and the close association between the community and its football club, the city is ready to “Do the Poznan” with the Green Army as Damian Zalewski from the Promotion Office at Poznan City Hall tells Póg Mo Goal.
We asked Damian to give us the low-down on preparations in the city where Ireland will take on Croatia and Italy in June.
So how are the people of Poznan preparing for Euro 2012 and what are their thoughts on the visit of the Irish fans?
“The city of Poznan is used to receiving foreign guests. Poznan has been hosting big international events for a very long time. The same goes for political summits such as the Cerm Meeting 2004 and the UN Climate Change Conference COP14 2008. As for big sporting events, it has hosted the UEFA EURO U19 Championship in 2006, EuroBasket in 2009, rowing and canoeing world championships, and the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in 2011.”
The inhabitants of Poznan are said to be very open and friendly. The city has a young and energetic atmosphere thanks to the 26 universities within its surroundings with up to 140,000 students living there.
“We recently had a press visit of Irish journalists who confirmed this. Random people met on the street are very kind and helpful. We are looking forward to receiving you guys.”
Ireland could bring up to 20,000 to each game in Poland. Is Poznan ready for that amount of fans?
“Poznan has a huge number of accommodation possibilities. At the moment, two Fan Camps are in place (Carlsberg and PolCamp2012.) We might yet have another option of this kind but it’s still to be confirmed.”
So what advice can you give Irish supporters to respect the locals?
“There is no reason to be worried. As far as you respect us, we will respect you. It’s like anywhere else in the world. We are not a savage country but another European nation just like Ireland”
Are there any local customs we should know about?
“Besides the very famous lately “Do the Poznan” dance, no specific customs here. Oh no, there is one – we like to party and have fun.”
We’ve heard that Celtic-cross tattoos which many Irish fans wear can be interpreted as a sign of neo-Nazism in Poland. Is this true?
“It’s hard to say. It depends on how someone exposes them. Remember that you’re visiting a different country and we have our own history. Normally when I’m travelling abroad I respect other country’s pasts.”
How about the food?
“Great and very various food. I’m sure every Irish fan will find something here. It goes from very cheap dishes such as zapiekanki and kebabs found in traditional Polish food bars to extraordinary restaurants where you can drink beer brewed in-house – Brovaria, to the smallest restaurant in Poland (only 3 tables) in the historic part of Poznan – Vine Bridge with crazy chefs, or my favourite one, Toga, with a very food-passionate owner and great storyteller who can take you on a real culinary trip.
In fact, it seems the city has a reputation for quality dining?
“In Poznan you have the best Polish chefs, the guys who participate in several editions of the Bocuse d’Or contest – the most prestigious culinary contest in the world. One of the journalists from Dublin that visited us recently told me that it was the best stuff he had ever eaten in his life and he was a travel writer.”
Polish football has had a problem with hooliganism in the past. Does you see this as an issue ahead of the Euros?
“No. let me explain why we are not afraid of upcoming events. In 2004, when “Wiara Lecha” was created, all the problems connected with safety during football matches in Poznań came to an end. Wiara Lecha, or my translation “Lech’s People” (“wiara” is a local word for a group of people, friends, companions) is an association of supporters of Lech Poznan, the biggest football club in the city and one of the biggest in Poland as you probably know.
The association also conduct a number of charity events and support those who really need help. For instance, they took part in buying reflective safety vests for children from local schools. Besides implementing statutory objectives including promoting safe participation in club matches among football fans, increasing interest in football among children and adolescents, they also take care of the image of the club on the international stage. Since this moment the atmosphere at the stadium and around this venue has turned into very positive one.”
“Lech Poznan football fans have been officially called the best organised and best-supporting in Poland and since then, whole families participate in matches. Apart from that, the atmosphere in the city of Poznań among the citizens is defined as safe and friendly. It is based on the past, when the City of Poznań was the host city for the UN Climate Conference, so far the biggest political summit ever organised in Poland and this part of Europe.
Furthermore the City of Poznań also organised an extraordinary event, the 4th ASEM Culture Ministers Meeting in 2010. Poznań was chosen to hold those events because it is a place with over a century-long tradition of cultural meetings.”
“We should also mention Eurobasket 2009, the most important tournament right after UEFA EURO 2012, which was organised in the City of Poznań. All those meetings have been prepared very precisely and were considered big successes with huge numbers of visitors. In addition, once chosen as a host city for UEFA EURO 2012, the City of Poznań commenced a series of actions aimed at improving safety which will be reflected in June this year.”
England fans are not travelling to Ukraine in big numbers because of the high prices charged. What is your opinion on the costs in Poznan?
“We expect the prices to go down when UEFA will update the real needs for the tournament. And still there are a lot of various possibilities for accommodation in our city. You can search for private guest houses, hostels, and camp sites.
Finally, what are your hopes for the Polish team in the tournament?
“To win. Frankly speaking, every match won in the knock-out phase will be a success for our team.”