Editor's Note: These are courtesy translations of local news provided by the U.S. Army Garrison Poland Public Affairs team for the benefit the military community stationed here. Views or opinions are not endorsed by USAG Poland or the U.S. Army.

106th Anniversary of the Signing of the Armistice in Trier

The armistice in Trier on February 16, 1919 was the first recognition of the Polish demands for the annexation of Greater Poland to the Republic of Poland. On Monday, this event was commemorated in the square of Marshal Ferdynand Foch.

- We are meeting today to recall the courage and hope from 106 years ago. On February 16, 1919, an armistice was signed in Trier, which for Wielkopolska became an agreement of light at the end of the tunnel of captivity - said Mariusz Wiśniewski, deputy mayor of Poznań. - It is here, in the heart of the capital of Wielkopolska, that we commemorate the moment when the world heard the voice of our region. The patron of this square knew that the sacrifice of the people of Wielkopolska was not only a local uprising, but part of a larger fight for justice. Thanks to him, our determination gained international recognition - he added.

- The role of Marshal Foch in the Wielkopolska Uprising cannot be overestimated. The fact that it ended successfully was a collective effort of all the inhabitants of the region, who had been preparing for the uprising throughout the period of partitions. It was the effort of those several thousand insurgents who, out of the need of their hearts, took up arms and began fighting. We are also talking about political and diplomatic actions, as well as international cooperation, mainly with France. The Marshal, the commander-in-chief of the Allied armed forces, was a supporter of Poland's rebirth as a strong state - emphasized Wawrzyniec Wierzejewski, president of the Wielkopolska Branch of the Wielkopolska Uprising Remembrance Society.

The armistice in Trier was supposed to end the aggressive actions between the Poles and the Germans. Despite the formal declaration, fighting continued until June, and was finally ended by the Treaty of Versailles.

The anniversary celebrations were also attended by, among others, Igor Kraszewski - Honorary Consul of France in Poznań, as well as representatives of: the Poznań City Council headed by its chairman Grzegorz Ganowicz, uniformed services, veterans' organizations, scouts and schools.

The event ended with an artistic performance by the youth from Karol Marcinkowski High School No. 1.

The organizers of the ceremony were the Greater Poland Uprising Remembrance Society and the City of Poznań.

Historic hydrants as good as new

Several dozen old fire hydrants in Poznań have undergone a thorough renovation, regaining their former glory. In time, they will be returned to the streets to serve their purpose for many years to come.

They are a symbol and a showcase of the waterworks. Hydrants are an inseparable element of the urban landscape and essential fire protection infrastructure. However, those in the historic housing estates of Poznań are different from others - they are black, made of cast iron, and often date back to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. They have been used for decades, so their technical condition is deteriorating.

- We decided to restore the decommissioned old town hydrants. The dismantled devices were not suitable for further use, and their main function is, after all, fire protection. After complete renovation, they will not only be fully functional technically, but also aesthetically pleasing to the eye of residents and tourists. Such actions are very important because they contribute to the preservation of Poznań's history - explains Andrzej Czarnecki, head of the Water Supply Network Department at Aquanet.

Hydrants will return to the streets of Poznań one by one, when others are taken out of service. They will primarily be deployed to the Old Town, but also to Wilda and Łazarz.

Poznań on the podium among European cities

Poznań has advanced in the prestigious report "European Cities and Regions of the Future 2025", prepared by fDi Intelligence. The capital of Wielkopolska took 2nd place in the categories "Business friendliness" and "Human capital and lifestyle", and in the overall classification it was in 5th place.

The fDi Intelligence report evaluates European cities in terms of their economic, financial and business assets. This year, independent experts from the Financial Times group analyzed macroeconomic data, investment levels, infrastructure, business support instruments and initiatives, as well as the quality of life of residents. Poznań took second place in the "Business friendliness" category for the third time in a row, losing only to Krakow and ahead of Frankfurt. The city also won second place on the podium in the "Human capital and lifestyle" category - just behind Krakow and ahead of Hamburg.

- Such a high position in the ranking confirms that Poznań is not only a space for investment, but also a place worth living and developing professionally - says Jacek Jaśkowiak, the mayor of the city. - This is proof that we offer investors and residents the best: a dynamic economy, high quality of life and a friendly environment.

The capital of Wielkopolska was also appreciated for its economic potential (10th place) and cost-effectiveness (10th place), but also for its strategy of attracting foreign direct investments (8th place).

- Poznań has been building its position as a center of innovation and business for years - comments Katja Ložina, Director of the UMP Investor Relations Office. - We are proud that our efforts are appreciated on the international stage. This distinction shows that the capital of Wielkopolska is not just a place on the map, but a space full of opportunities for people with passion and ideas. Companies choose Poznań because they know that they will find support and friendly conditions for development here.

In the general classification, the capital of Wielkopolska took fifth place - two positions higher than last year. Poznań overtook, among others, Cologne and Stuttgart.

This year's ranking examined 379 cities, divided into five categories based on population: major, large, medium, small and micro cities. They were then assessed in subsequent subcategories.

Exotic butterflies in the Poznań Palm House

From February 24 to March 23, the Poznań Palm House invites you to the Exhibition of live butterflies. This is a unique opportunity to admire exotic species of these insects surrounded by tropical vegetation. The butterflies will fly freely in Pavilion VIII.

The exhibition will allow you to see butterflies from different corners of the world - their delicate wings, unusual colors and patterns. It is an ideal opportunity to learn more about the life cycle of these insects and their importance in nature. Surrounded by the lush greenery of the palm house, the butterflies will create a fairy-tale atmosphere, making the visit a unique experience.

The exhibition will be available to visitors during the opening hours of the Poznań Palm House. A detailed schedule can be found on the facility's website .

Admission to the event includes the price of a ticket to the Palm House (standard - PLN 19, reduced - PLN 15).

Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online at ToBilet.pl.