Welcome to Lodz, the city of Four Cultures, the city of Rubinstein and Tuwim, the city of Wajda, Kieslowski and Polanski. The mixture of many traditions, histories and religions. "Lodz means a short name and short history. It means the unusual beginning of the metropolis, co-existence of different cultures, religions and nationalities. It also means a specific local tolerance and a desire to build people’s own and unique city. Lodz was perceived and assessed in many different ways. Some wanted to make it the Promised Land. Others saw it as the evil city. There were also those who claimed it was the city of hope." (from the City of Lodz official web page: www.uml.lodz.pl)