From 17 to 19 May 2008 The Days of Polish Culture in China took place in Pekin. The program included concerts of outstanding Polish musicians as well as exhibitions.

The Days of Polish Culture in China were realized by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute on the commission of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The Polish presentation was not only a national cultural endeavour which fulfilled the official agreements between the two countries, but one of many global cultural events which accompany this year’s Summer Olympic Games held in Pekin. All the countries participating in the Olympics have been invited to organize their miniature cultural festivals. The Polish presentation covered classical music (concert of the Chopin Academia Orchestra conducted by Wojciech Michniewski and a recital by Jacek Kortus as well as jazz concerts of Leszek Mozdzer and Jagodzinski Trio). The Chinese public also had the occasion to see 70 posters related to Chopin which come from the collection of the Poster Museum in Wilanów, as well as over 130 post stamps related to the Olympics issued over the last 50 years.

May 17 – 21 2008

Program:

May 17th:
Recital by Jacek Kortus at the Music School Attached to the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.

May 18th:
Inaugural concert of Chopin Academia Orchestra conducted by Wojciech Michniewski with the participation of Jacek Kortus at the Poly Theatre in Beijing.

Programme of the inauguration concert:
Mieczysław Karłowicz, Serenade, op. 2 (1897)
Marta Ptaszyńska, La novella d'inverno (1980)
Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, Concert for piano and string orchestra (1980) with the participation of Jacek Kortus.
Witold Lutosławski, Musique funèbre (1958)
Wojciech Kilar, Choral prelude (1988) and Orawa (1986)

Opening of the exhibition "Chopin in Posters", prepared by the Poster Museum in Wilanow, at the Boyi Gallery in Beijing.

Opening of a philatelic exhibition "Summer Olympics", prepared by the Poisz Mail, at the Boyi Gallery in Beijing.

May 19th:
Concert of Chopin Academia Orchestra conducted by Wojciech Michniewski with the participation of Jacek Kortus in Qingdao.

Concerts of Leszek Mozdzer and Jagodzinski Trio scheduled for 20th and 21st of May have been cancelled due to national mourning in China.