From December 6-8, 2024, the 9th International Józef Świder Music Festival will take place in Cieszyn. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Professor Świder... Admission to all festival events is free.
The program of this year's festival includes the Scientific and Artistic Conference "Józef Świder: Composer, Pedagogue, Social Activist," a concert titled “Lyrical Vocal Works of Józef Świder” featuring Paulina Gocałek (soprano), Maciej Bartczak (baritone), and Michał Goławski (piano), the International Józef Świder Choral Competition, and accompanying concerts.
During the conference on December 6 in the Chamber Hall of the Silesian University, 10 speakers will present the figure and artistic and social activity of Professor Świder.
As part of the competition auditions, choirs from Poland and Lithuania will perform in 30 choral presentations across 10 categories. The ensembles will compete for the Grand Prize – the Rector of the Silesian University’s Cup – as well as special awards funded by the festival's honorary patrons: the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, the Cieszyn County Governor, and the Mayor of Cieszyn. These awards include:
- best performance of a contemporary music work
- most interesting interpretation of a sacred work
- best performance of a composition by Prof. Józef Świder
- most interesting performance of a piece by a composer associated with Upper Silesia or Cieszyn Silesia
- most interesting interpretation of a piece inspired by folklore
- special award in 2024 for the best performance of a Christmas carol arranged by Józef Świder.
The Festival Laureates' Concert will take place on December 7 at the Jesus Church in Cieszyn, with choirs accompanied by the Kameraliści Śląska Cieszyńskiego Orchestra, conducted by Aleksandra Paszek-Trefon. The festival choirs will also participate in a concert during the Cieszyn Christmas Market.
Additionally, the festival will feature concerts with choirs from Poland and Lithuania in Cieszyn, Łaziska Górne, and Ustroń.
Media patronage: Polish Music Information Centre POLMIC
Festival website: https://www.facebook.com/JozefSwiderInternationalFestival
