To celebrate 10 years of Katowice In Your Pocket in print, we picked out some good ole quotes from our guides to see just how the feelings of the editors have changed towards the city over the years.

We really didn't hold back in the beginning...

"To declare Katowice an attractive city is certain to raise eyebrows, and may even result in the distant wail of sirens as the loony police screech into action." Issue #1, 2007.

"Bill Bryson once wrote of the English town of Bradford, ‘its role in life is to make every place in the world look better in comparison’. Bryson was wrong, of course. That’s a mantle reserved for Katowice, and one which the city excels at. It’s a grim looking place, and one reviled by the majority of outsiders." Issue #3, 2008.

"Where was Katowice when God was dishing out the looks? At the back of the line smoking a roll-up is our guess. There’s no hiding it, the city you find yourself in looks a bit ill really." Issue #4, 2008.

"Maybe you mixed up your ticket and meant to go to that other Polish city that starts with ‘K’ (you know the one). Maybe you think the sewage treatment plant in your town is nicer than Katowice’s train station (and smells better too)." Issue #5, 2008.

But things began to change...

"I previously lived in Katowice for a short time almost 8 years ago. But this seems like a distant dream of a distant place. It has been exciting to wander the same streets that less than a decade ago seemed so desolate and empty. Now, everywhere I turn there is a new cafe here or a funky bar there and people bustling about. Even all the constant construction around the new train station and Rynek somehow breathes life into the city. You can feel the town lurching forward reaching towards a certain future." Issue #17, 2013.

And more cultural events and attractions started popping up...

"Katowice has a growing reputation for hosting some of the best music festivals in Poland (Rawa Blues, Off Festival, Tauron Nowa Muzyka, etc.)..." Issue #24, 1015.

"It’s no surprise that summer is our favourite time of year to explore Silesia. Besides the great weather which gives you every excuse to visit the region’s many parks and outdoor (and underground) museums, the sheer number of festivals and concerts is almost overwhelming. It’s not an overstatement to say that Summer in Silesia is basically one big nonstop music festival." Issue #28, 2016.

Things have improved greatly since we started exploring Kato, which just proves time (and effort) really does help heal divisions. Stay with us as we continue documenting Kato's ongoing cultural renaissance...