By A. Pawlowski
CNN

WARSAW, Poland (CNN) — In Poland, it’s polite to bring flowers when you visit someone’s home, so there’s a flower shop on virtually every street corner in Warsaw.

But the city is now realizing flower power on a bigger scale.

There are buds and blooms adding color all over the capital, from the quaint Old Town to the bustling city center to the massive concrete apartment blocks left over from the communist era.

It’s Warsaw in bloom, in many ways: A city thriving, growing and blossoming six decades after much of it was destroyed during World War II and almost 20 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union brought many radical economic and social changes.

Modern Warsaw is a mix of shiny new skyscrapers, tree-lined boulevards, ornate prewar buildings and somber concrete communist relics.

Hamburger joints and pizzerias compete for customers with restaurants offering traditional Polish fare like pierogi. Expensive new cars share the road with crowded buses and trams. Traffic jams frustrate drivers throughout the day.

But it’s the older Warsaw — faithfully restored and full of churches, palaces and parks — that seems to attract the most visitors.

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Explore the rich history in one of the Poland’s oldest and largest cities

Though it may sound odd to say, one visits Krakow, and the region around it, both for what didn’t happen there during World War II … and for what did. Unlike many of Europe’s great cities, Krakow was largely spared the devastating bombing raids that laid waste to large parts of Dresden, London, Berlin and other cities. Its medieval halls, churches and markets; its famous castle; and its cobblestoned Old Town escaped the ’40s nearly unscathed and today visitors glory in a city so bewitching, so rich in history, that large portions have been named UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Though the ancient buildings were preserved, the region does have a World War II history, and a heartrending one, at that. Half a million visitors per year come to commemorate that part of its history, making the pilgrimage to nearby Auschwitz, the Nazis’ most horrifically effective death camp. In a daylong trip you’ll have just enough time to touch on both sides of Krakow’s past — the sobering and the celebratory.

Performing in the American Celebration of Music in Poland, participating groups will have the opportunity to visit Krakow and enjoy this magnificent city.

War and Peace in Warsaw
Tips for Touring a Polish City in Renewal

April 17, 2006 — Warsaw, Poland’s capital and biggest city, is huge, famous, and important … but not particularly romantic. If you’re looking for quaintness, head for Cracow. If you’re tickled by spires and domes, get to the Czech Republic to visit Prague. But if you want to experience a truly 21st-century city, Warsaw’s your place.

Like Berlin, Warsaw is modernizing — fast. Mindful of its tragic history, yet optimistic about the future, Warsaw has happily emerged from a long hibernation. Varsovians are proud to live in a leading city in the new Europe. The city boasts gleaming new skyscrapers and street signs, stylishly dressed locals, cutting-edge shopping malls, and a gourmet coffee shop on nearly every corner.

Clients of Music Celebrations can now visit the major cities in Poland as they participate in our newest European concert series event - the American Celebration of Music in Poland.

You are the little messengers of beauty. The world needs your singing, for the language of beauty moves hearts and contributes to the encounter with God.

-Pope John Paul II, in an address to Pueri Cantores International

In July 2007, the 34th International Congress of Pueri Cantores will serve as a pilgrimage to Krakow, Poland, and a walk in the Footsteps of John Paul II. Once again, Music Celebrations is partnering with the American Federation Pueri Cantores to assist Catholic youth choirs in making this experience a reality.

Karol Wojtyla, now forever known as Pope John Paul the Great, lived in Krakow for four decades. It is here where he spent his formative years as a student, librarian, athlete, playwright, actor, philosopher, linguist, and young priest.

Stanisław Cardinal Dziwisz, John Paul II’s secretary and confidant for many years, will host and greet participating choirs in Krakow. Journeyers will also be blessed to visit Wadowice, birthplace of John Paul the Great.

To request information about the American Federation Pueri Cantores, the International Congress, and details on participating, please click here.

To view one of the suggested itineraries, please click here.

Nun, peasant, mystic, saint.

Maria Faustina Kowalska, commonly known at St. Faustina, was a member of the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland during the 1920’s and 1930’s. In her 600-page diary, she detailed visions she had of Jesus, who’s message in His revelations to St. Faustina was that of great mercy - that He is mercy itself. The revelations to Faustina therefore became known as “The Message of Divine Mercy.”

Pope John Paul the Great beatified St. Faustina in 1993, and canonized her in 2000. Divine Mercy Sunday is now celebrated the Second Sunday of Easter (which is the first Sunday after Easter), as established by Pope John Paul II.

American Federation Pueri Cantores members will have the great opportunity to visit the Shrine of the Divine Mercy, where St. Faustina is buried, while on journey to Krakow for the 34th International Congress of Pueri Cantores, and while walking in the Footsteps of John Paul the Great.

The Jasna Góra Monastery of Częstochowa, Poland holds perhaps the most important icon of Mary, Mother of God in all of Europe. The icon, depicting the Mother of God with the Christ Child, is known as The Black Madonna of Częstochowa, or Our Lady of Częstochowa, which is widely venerated and credited with many miracles.

Christians from across the world regard Częstochowa as the Holiest City in Poland, and take pilgrimages there every year to see the Black Madonna. This is one of the great stops when walking in the Footsteps of John Paul the Great.

According to legend, St. Luke painted the Black Madonna of Częstochowa on the same wooden table where Mary would eat her meals.

Another legend concerning the Black Madonna is that the presence of the holy painting saved its church from being destroyed in a fire, but not before the flames darkened the fleshtone pigments.

If you are interested in taking a pilgrammage to Poland and visit Częstochowa, please contact us for more information.

“Poland is a beautiful country with beautiful people. I was delighted by those who heard our concerts and were so appreciative. At one concert, in particular, the priest was so excited about hearing us sing that he actually encouraged applause during the mass! I was also touched by our visit to Auschwitz concentration camp. It is humbling to imagine the vastness of suffering that occurred in that place. I will also never forget our tour of the salt mine and singing in a cathedral made of salt!”

-Alan & Gayle Heatherington, Chicago Master Singers

The South Metro Chorale recently returned from a successful tour of eastern Europe where they performed for warm, appreciative audiences in Poland, Czech Republic, and Austria. Here is what director Loren Squires had to say about his experience:

In October, 2005 I had the privilege to lead “The South Metro Chorale” on a concert tour of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Austria. In was my eleventh European Tour of my career and was the best. It was my first association with MCI. From the very start of planning, John Wiscome and his staff went out of their way to work with us in a very professional, yet personal way.

During our tour we sang 6 concerts. The venues were outstanding as well as the audiences. It was a thrill to sing at the anniversary celebration of Pope John Paul II’s ordination in Wadovice. The Cathedral was so packed the choir could not sit down. After the Mass the Priest sat down and everyone stayed as we sang our entire repertoire. In Prague, MCI arranged for us to sing a concert with a choir from Prague and one from Holland. I think that these kind of experiences are so special and not easily arranged by operators who do not have the experience, staff and contacts that MCI has. MCI’s European staff members performed their hosting duties wonderfully well. The Hotels, food , tour guide, bus & driver were all very good.

It is my pleasure to give MCI my highest recommendation!