Writing for The Guardian on April 8, Andrew MacDowall paints a picture of how tourism in Poland is affected by the world’s fascination with Fryderyk Chopin, in the article “Chopin movement music to ears of Polish tourism officials.” Below is an excerpt:
“We see that people feel a connection with Chopin that is almost religious,” said Artur Szklener, director of the Fryderyk Chopin Institute. “It’s very important for them to be in the place he loved, where he grew up and that shaped him. It’s like a pilgrimage.”
According to Szklener, research indicates that more people came to Poland for the bicentenary of Chopin’s birth in 2010 than for the European football championship hosted jointly by Poland and Ukraine two years later. The bicentenary helped to galvanise the concept of Chopin tourism, which Poland is now developing as a central part of its tourism strategy.
“Chopin is one of the most important cultural brands for Poland,” said Szklener.
…
“Chopin’s music comes from our feelings, while Mozart and Beethoven are too classical for my taste,” said Soshei Tazawa, a Japanese tourist at the Chopin museum in Warsaw. “He’s my favourite composer, and his spirit is here in Poland. Someone who loves him must come here to know him fully.”
[Source: theguardian.com]