Sources: Gazeta Wyborcza, the Częstochowa City Council

This year, the City of Częstochowa is celebrating the 800th anniversary of its written history. There will be academic conferences, film screenings, cultural events AND a new coat-of-arms.

The crow, which was placed there in the early 1990’s out of respect for Jasna Góra, has disappeared. According to Gazeta Wyborcza, in heraldry, it is a symbol of Satan.

At a press conference held on Thursday 6th February, Częstochowa Mayor Krzysztof Matyjaszczyk promised that “there will be many surprises for locals” as part of the anniversary celebrations.

What is of particular interest to the World Society is that, included in this, will be an upgrade to the Stary Rynek (Old Market Square) which is due to be completed mid-2020. Prior to World War II, the Stary Rynek was a centre of Jewish communal and commercial activity.