Between East and West

Panorama talks with Marek Grzelaczyk, Mayor of Zamość

- Zamość occupies a strategic place on the map of Poland. An express route, which constitutes a part of the "Via Intermare" transportation channel linking the Baltic Sea with Black Sea, runs through the city. What advantages does Zamość obtain from this location?
- The expressway is undoubtedly one of major elements influencing the city's and the regional economies. Thanks to it, trade exchange and business cooperation with Ukraine is more extensive, especially with the adjacent districts of Volynsk and Lvov. Its location constitutes a potential factor for making Zamość a major center for prospective cultural and business relations between the East and West.
The channel is also conducive to the development of partner relations with other cities across Europe. Zamość has cooperated closely with the German town of Schwabish Hall in Baden-Württemberg, Zolochiv and Lvov in Ukraine, and with Loughborough in England.
The tourism industry is fast developing in the region, and both the Poles who go to Lvov and the citizens of Ukraine who come shopping to Zamość often use this transportation channel. This is why we want to continue the implementation of the concept of the city's founder to make Zamość a bridge between the east and west of Europe.

- In the past, Zamość was the hub of the thriving Zamość Estate. Is the city as prosperous today as it was in the past?
- Zamość today is mainly a central point in the transportation network. Apart from the expressway, a Sulfur and Metallurgy Transportation Rail Line, which links the Polish Upper Silesia Region with Russian and Ukrainian rail networks, runs through the city. Moreover, two border points, Hrebenne-Rawa Ruska and Zosin-Uscilog, are located only 60-km. from the city. Small and medium-sized businesses, and a number of service companies dominate the economic landscape in Zamość. As of June 2001, there were 7,200 business entities registered in the city. What is more, from July 01, 2000 to June 30, 2002, the City of Zamość, in cooperation with the Schwabish Hall County, Baden-Württemberg, and Austrian Burgenland, will be implementing a project entitled "The Establishment of a Counseling Network for Small and Medium-Sized Companies".

We want Zamość to become a major exhibition center. For several years, the Interedam Company has organized the Zamość International Fair, which is one of the largest exhibitions in the region. In past years, four exhibitions have been staged annually: the Agricultural and Industrial Fair, the AGRO ZAM Food and Packaging Fair, the BUD ZAM Construction Fair and the AUTOSALON Motor Show. Undoubtedly, the four schools of higher education that operate in Zamość and which are attended by 6,000 students also constitute a major developmental factor in the city.
- UNESCO has entered the Old Town of Zamość into the World Cultural Heritage List. This puts an obligation on the city to care for its historic sights even more meticulously. Is this a great challenge for you?
- First, I would like to note that UNESCO has distinguished Zamość not only because we have magnificent sights of great universal and historic value, but also due to the fact that the condition of these sights has been highly praised. We are still continuing the renovation of our sights, yet the outlays for this purpose are lower now. At present, we are modernizing the old tenement houses and street surfaces. In addition, we are preparing a Program for the Revitalization of the Old Town Area, which in the future will result in our acquiring funds for further repair work.
I would like to stress that the historic sights are our pride in Zamość, and are highly conducive to the organization of a number of cultural events in their beautiful scenery. For decades, we have staged such annual events as the Zamość Theater Festival, International Jazz Vocalist Festival, and Zamość Music Festival. Moreover, the Karol Namysłowski's Symphonic Orchestra has operated in Zamość since 1881.
For these and many other reasons, I believe it is worth visiting Zamość and staying here for a few days to enjoy the beautiful scenery.