The 11th Professor Józef Świder International Music Festival

The program of the 11th Professor Józef Świder International Music Festival in Cieszyn, running from June 19 to 22, 2026, will feature concerts, as well as the 6th National Scientific and Artistic Conference "Sought-After Repertoire," the Professor Józef Świder International Choral Competition, accompanying events, and a grand final performance of Kim André Arnesen’s Magnificat. Organized by the University of Silesia, the Institute of Musical Arts in Cieszyn, and the Music Without Borders Foundation, the festival blends tradition with modernity, presenting a wide spectrum of choral and instrumental music. In line with the idea of accessibility, admission to all events is free.

The festival is held under the honorary patronage of, among others, the Rector of the University of Silesia, Prof. Ryszard Koziołek, PhD; the District Governor of Cieszyn, Janina Żagan; the Mayor of Cieszyn, Gabriela Staszkiewicz; as well as His Excellency the Metropolitan Archbishop of Katowice, Andrzej Przybylski, PhD; and His Excellency the Bishop of the Cieszyn Diocese of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession, Adrian Korczago, PhD, Associate Professor at the Christian Theological Academy in Warsaw. Such esteemed patronage highlights the prestige of the event and its significance for both the cultural and ecumenical life of the region.

On June 19, the Chamber Hall of the Faculty of Arts and Educational Science of the University of Silesia will host the 6th edition of the National Scientific and Artistic Conference "Sought-After Repertoire". The topics will span both historical issues and the latest trends in choral and instrumental music – ranging from forgotten arrangements by 20th-century Silesian conductors and Józef Świder’s cello works to the potential of utilizing artificial intelligence in inclusive repertoire. This year's edition will bring together speakers representing Poland's most prominent musical centers.

The conference will be graced by a concert by the Children’s Choir of the City of Wodzisław Śląski, conducted by Prof. Izabella Zielecka‑Panek. The ensemble will perform selected works by Richard Kügele, a composer closely associated with Wodzisław Śląski. Rooted in the 19th-century organ tradition and practical sacred music, his oeuvre represents a valuable yet still under-researched segment of Silesian musical legacy. Today, his output – which includes prelude cycles and numerous liturgical compositions – is gaining new life through contemporary research and performances, helping to expand both local and national repertoires.

On June 20, the Cieszyn Cultural Center "Dom Narodowy" will host the auditions for the 9th Professor Józef Świder International Choral Competition – one of the most recognizable choral competitions in Poland. A total of 11 ensembles will deliver 18 performances showcasing sacred, contemporary, folk, and gospel music, featuring vocal ensembles as well as equal-voice, chamber, and academic choirs. The participants include groups from Poland, Georgia, and Slovakia. The jury consists of prominent choral experts: Prof. Renata Szerafin‑Wójtowicz, PhD (Chairperson); Dawid Ber, PhD (Associate Professor at the Academy of Music); Revaz Javakhishvili, PhD; and Prof. Izabella Zielecka‑Panek, PhD.

In the evening, at 6.30 pm, the Jesus Church (Kościół Jezusowy) will host the "Gala Concert" featuring the competition winners and the Pro Arte et Musica Chamber Ensemble under the direction of Maria Zuber.

True to tradition, the festival expands its footprint beyond traditional concert halls, inviting audiences into various venues across Cieszyn and its surroundings. During the "Along the Musical Trail of Cieszyn" initiative on June 20 (3.00–5.00 pm), festival choirs will perform in four symbolic, historic locations across the city: the Cieszyn Market Square, the Three Brothers' Well, St. Nicholas' Rotunda, and the Piast Tower.

The accompanying concerts include events in nearby towns, highlighting the festival's regional impact and its dedication to explore unique cultural venues. Performances will feature ensembles from Georgia and Ustroń in Ustroń (June 19); violinist Dominik Kossakowski (June 20) and the Chamber Orchestra of the Society of Friends of the Silesian Philharmonic (June 21) in Cieszyn; ChAWAT and JKEnsemble in Goleszów (June 21); and a concert bringing together young performers from Poland and Georgia at the Manor House in Łuków Śląski (June 22).

The festival will culminate in Magnificat by Norwegian composer Kim André Arnesen. The performance will take place on June 21 at 5.00 pm at the Church of St. Peter and Paul in Katowice, featuring the Silesian Chamber Players Orchestra, the "Ad Libitum" Silesian Chamber Choir, the "Saria Silvis" choir (Slovakia), and soloists, all under the direction of Izabella Zielecka‑Panek.

Festival partners: Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, Silesian Voivodeship, Professor Józef Świder Foundation, City of Cieszyn, Cieszyn District Administration, Cieszyn Cultural Center "Dom Narodowy", Rybnik District Administration, Polish Association of Choirs and Orchestras, Silesian Association of Choirs and Orchestras, the State Primary and Secondary Music School in Cieszyn, the Manor House in Łuków Śląski, Raszlo.pl / Raszlo Catering – Accommodation and Board, Boundless Sound Records – Jędrzej Panek, Akcept GP – Piotr Gruchel, Hotel Liburnia in Cieszyn, Evangelical-Augsburg Parish in Cieszyn, Evangelical-Augsburg Parish in Goleszów, Evangelical-Augsburg Parish in Ustroń, Church of St. Peter and Paul in Katowice, Dudek & Partners Audit Firm – Certified Auditors, Ondraszek Adventure Tourism Office.

Media patronage: Polish Music Information Centre POLMIC.

Detailed program: https://us.edu.pl/instytut/ismuz/miedzynarodowy-festiwal-muzyki-im-prof-jozefa-swidra