On 1st September, on the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II, a special concert took place in Krzyżowa. The finale of the Krzyżowa-Music Chamber Music Festival was at the same time a tribute to the victims of World War II. On this special day, musicians from several countries proved that art is a universal language, and the emotions that accompany it unite people regardless of nationality.

The guests were welcomed by Dr. Robert Żurek - Managing Director of the Krzyżowa Foundation, and the ceremony began with welcoming speeches delivered by Łukasz Lutostański - Director of the Department of Public and Cultural Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Irmgard Fellner - Director for Cultural Relations Policy, German Federal Foreign Office, Beata Moskal-Słaniewska - President of Świdnica and Dr. Matthias von Hülsen - General Director of Krzyżowa-Music.

All the speakers expressed their appreciation for the uniqueness of the festival, as well as for the symbolism associated with the meeting in such an international group on 1 September. It was repeatedly stressed that the tragedy that took place 80 years ago should never be repeated.

After the official opening of the concert, a large audience listened to delightful performances of: Franz Schubert - Fantasy in F Minor, Antonín Dvořák - Piano Quintet in A Major, and during the second part of event - Andrzej Panufnik - Katyń Epitaph and Franz Schubert - Symphony No. 8 in B Minor, "Unfinished".

Photo: Geert Maciejewski, Krzyżowa Foundation