After many years of efforts and the perseverance of the whole music community, the city of Katowice—which, since 2015, is a UNESCO Creative City of Music—will host the long-anticipated Karol Szymanowski International Music Competition.

The event is organized by the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR) in Katowice in cooperation with leading Polish musical and cultural institutions (Polish Radio, Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice, and Karol Szymanowski Music Society in Zakopane), with the moral and financial support of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The intention of this important cultural initiative is to promote Polish music around the world and raise awareness of the role of Karol Szymanowski and his works, which are such an important part of Polish cultural heritage, among international audiences.

The competition involves five disciplines: piano, violin, voice, string quartet, and composition and will be held in a five-year cycle. The first edition is scheduled for 10–23 September 2018, and the application deadline for this first edition is 31 MAY 2018. The rules of the competition and other important details are available at: szymanowskicompetition.com

For all competition-related matters, please contact: szymanowski-competition@nospr.org.pl

[Sources: press release, szymanowski-competition.com]