As every year, the Silesian Philharmonic invites audiences to an event commemorating the crackdown at the “Wujek” coal mine in 1981. The concert on 13 December 2025 at 7:00 p.m., co-organised with the Silesian Centre for Freedom and Solidarity, is a tribute to the victims of those tragic days and a symbolic reminder of the fate of Silesia, Poland, and the local community—forever marked by the period of martial law.
The declaration of martial law on 13 December 1981 sparked mass protests, and one of the most tragic moments of that time was the crackdown at the “Wujek” mine in Katowice. The concert marking the 44th anniversary of those events is not only an act of honouring the dead, but also a moment of reflection on the meaning of freedom, solidarity, and responsibility for one another.
The programme features works that create a musical bridge between the past and the present.
The evening will open with the award-winning piece 9–23 by Mikołaj Jarczyński – the composition that won the 2024 “Second Symphony of Remembrance” Composition Competition.
Adam Wesołowski’s Industrial Symphony refers to the region’s industrial heritage. Sounds inspired by heavy industry, enriched with archival video materials, present the story of one of Poland’s largest and oldest steelworks, creating an exceptionally vivid portrayal of the vibrant life of Silesia.
The Philharmonic Orchestra will also perform film music written by Wojciech Kilar, who worked in Silesia, including scores for The Salt of the Black Earth, The Adventures of Sir Michael, The Leper, Nights and Days, as well as music by Waldemar Kazanecki for the film The House.
During the concert, an exhibition prepared by the Silesian Centre for Freedom and Solidarity will also be presented, showcasing depictions of the crackdown at the “Wujek” mine in visual art and poetry.
Media patronage: Polish Music Information Centre POLMIC
Ticket information: https://filharmonia-slaska.eu/production/symfonia-pamieci-kilar-wesolowski-orkiestra-kameralna/?=2
