Whoever strolls through Frankfurt (Oder) might be amazed at the number of modern buildings here. Except for the St. Marien church, the town hall and a former cloister, most of the city's historic buildings were destroyed in World War Two. Concrete-slab apartment blocks encircle the city center and convey a 1970s atmosphere to this day. However, parks such as Lennepark and the riverside Oderufer offer a change of scenery, with plenty of green lawns for relaxation.

Lively cultural exchange

Two countries, two cities, one community - Frankfurt (Oder) artist Michael Kurzwelly coined the term "Slubfurt," which combines the names of the two adjacent cities on opposite sides of the border: Frankfurt and Slubice. This term embodies the dream of a trans-cultural metropolis. Various associations and artistic projects aim to blur the border between the two cities, since Frankfurt (Oder) has a unique connection with Poland and the other neighboring eastern states. At the end of World War Two, based on the Potsdam Agreement, Frankfurt (Oder) became a border city and its former Dammvorstadt area became the Polish town of Slubice. Whoever takes the train from Berlin to Warsaw will pass by Germany's easternmost university, located in Frankfurt (Oder). The number of people crossing this national border has been rising steadily, and it's not only due to curiosity or the desire to purchase cheaper cigarettes on the Polish side. Viadrina European University, with its buildings in both border cities, also attracts young people from all over the world. Re-established in 1991, the university acts as a cultural center and crossroads.

The fate of the fringe zone

Typical Brandenburg landscapes can be found to the south of the city, with riverside meadows, forests and lake regions. To the north are the Oderbruch swamp region and Helenesee lake. Nevertheless, people tend to see Berlin as the highlight of the whole area, since it's only a one-hour train ride away from Frankfurt (Oder). The city is home to 60,000 residents. But since the fall of the Berlin Wall, its population has shrunk by more than a quarter due to high unemployment and a sinking birthrate.

Author: Ronny Arnold
Editor: Greg Wiser