“Discovering Paderewski” International Festival in Lviv has already become one of the most important cultural events in Ukraine. The fourth edition of the festival, held between 5th and 15th of November 2015, aims at promoting Polish culture and getting eastern neighbours acquainted with the treasures of national musical repertoire at the highest, global level.
This year the Lviv Opera House will host a unique Polish Folk Song and Dance Ensemble “Mazowsze” which is going to perform Jan Stefani’s opera Cracovians and Highlanders (libr. By Wojciech Bogusławski) – the opera that dates back to the 18th century and symbolically represents the structure of the Polish society before the third partition of Poland. The organizers invited Krzysztof Penderecki to conduct the orchestra performing his works (Sinfonietta No. 1, Agnus Dei, Chaconne) and accept the honorary degree of Doctor of Honoris Causa of the Mykola Lysenko Lviv National Music Academy. The presence of such artists as pianist Adam Wodnicki, conductor and cellist Andrzej Bauer and DagaDana band will transform the fourth edition of the festival into a great Polish music celebration.
The event will also be marked with the discussion panel entitled “Geopolitical aspects of Polish-Ukrainian relations during the Second Commonwealth of Poland and Ukrainian People’s Republic in the time of Ignacy Jan Paderewski”. It will be moderated by the famous Ukrainian writer, cultural studies and political scientist Taras Voznyak. It has also become a well-established tradition to conduct the Paderewski award ceremony: bronze statuettes will be given to those people who have been particularly successful in working towards Polish-Ukrainian partnership, as well as to those who promote Ignacy Jan Paderewski and Polish culture abroad. The idea of organizing an artistic event associated with the name of Ignacy Jan Paderewski, an outstanding pianist, composer, politician and benefactor, provides an opportunity of mutual cultural enrichment of two nations, Polish and Ukrainian, which seems to be one of the most crucial issues nowadays. The festival is held under the honorary patronage of Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and Adam Struzik - Marshal of Mazovia Voivodeship.
More information: www.paderewski.eu, Festival's Facebook profile.