The 55th annual festival, “Kontrasty—Polska i sąsiedzi” [Contrasts—Poland and her neighbors] was held in Bydgoszcz September 11—October 6. Planned as the prelude to the celebrations of Poland’s centenary of independence, this festival focused on the cultural legacy of Poland’s neighbors as well as other ethnic groups living in Poland, including the Jewish and Roma populations. Among the performers were a famous cantor from New York, Joseph Malovany, Aleksandra Kurzak, Denis Neustroev, Irina Mikhailova, Muza Rubackyte, Dmytro Hubjak, the Czech ancient music ensemble Schola Gregoriana Pragensis, and Lithuanian Philharmonic Orchestra led by Modestas Pitrenas. Composers featured on the festival program included Romuald Twardowski, Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, and Andrzej Panufnik.
Find a detailed program at: www.filharmonia.bydgoszcz.pl
[Sources: polmic.pl, filharmonia.bydgoszcz.pl]