Poland:A new awakening

Poland has only recently fully opened its borders to western tourist after 45 years in the gloom of Soviest Communist rule. Somehow, the magnificent old buildings of Krakow have survived centuries of invasion and occupation which have scarred Poland's history. Since the first tribal king embraced Christianity a thousand years ago, the country has been invaded by Mongols, Tartars, Teutonic Knights, Swedes, Turks, Russians and Germans. And yet it's left the modern Polish people with they express through a devotion to the Black Madonna, an ancient picture of the Virgin Mary who they have crowned the Queen of Poland.

Every hour on the hour, the watchman on St. Mary's Church tower in Krakow sounds the warning of invading Tartars to the four quarters of the compass. This bugle call is the most nostalgic sound for People the world over. It is even transmitted on Polish radio like the chimes of Big Ben. A city fireman plays the same tune every day which quite unexpectedly, is cut short on the very note the orginal thirteenth century bugler was playing when a Tartar's arrow pierced his throat.

The upheavals of war, the poverty and starvation down the centuries have led to millions of Poles leaving their country. All of them, whether at home or abroad, believe that Wawel contains everything that is good and glorious about their past. So long as this remains, they say, there is hope for the future, however tough the present.