On August 18, 2024, the Komierowo park and its surroundings were filled with the music of Fryderyk Chopin performed by wonderful artists, and the numerous listeners could hear stories about a great, though somewhat forgotten, member of the Komierowski family, Roman, whose hundredth death anniversary falls in 2024. It was to Roman Komierowski (1846-1924) that the ceremonial concert during the Chopin en Vacances Festival, hosted in Komierowo for the third time, was dedicated. The uniqueness of this edition was that it was combined with the promotion of a beautiful album, created and financed on the initiative of Piotr Komierowski and his wife Ewa.
The book was written by journalist Grzegorz Polak, a friend of the Komierowski family, in collaboration with Karol Ziomek. The author signed copies of the beautifully produced album for a solid half hour and, without finishing, rushed onto the stage to lead the first part of the concert.
Beforehand, the listeners who had come from all over Krajna and various parts of Poland were warmly welcomed by the host of the Palace, Piotr Komierowski, expressing joy because of the concert, the book release, and the large audience turnout.
Grzegorz Polak introduced the gathered audience to the figure of Roman Komierowski, who for 27 years, under what seemed like hopeless conditions, defended the Polish cause in the Reichstag, the Imperial Diet, opposing many times the "Iron Chancellor," Otto von Bismarck, the driving force behind a strong Germanization campaign against Poles. Although he acted in a context of strong Polish-German confrontation, as Mr. Polak stated, today, if he were a Member of the European Parliament, he would cooperate with Germany, our biggest economic partner, in accordance with Polish national interests, as the welfare of Poland was most important to him.
Grzegorz Polak led the first part of the concert, which included Chopin Songs performed with grace by soprano Agnieszka Gertner-Polak, accompanied by Monika Roscia, the unforgettable Nel in the first film adaptation of Henryk Sienkiewicz's "In Desert and Wilderness."
The host did not fail to add that our Nobel laureate visited Komierowo, as his sister Aniela was married to the writer Jan Wacław Komierowski.
After Monika Roscia's solo performance of two pieces by Fryderyk Chopin, the hosting baton was taken over by Michał Korsak, who together with his wife Beata is the initiator and organizer of the Chopin en Vacances Festival. In his story sparkling with anecdotes about the composer, the audience was especially captivated by the story of unfulfilled love for a Russian princess fascinated by Chopin.
The final chord of the event was a phenomenal performance by the young generation pianist Adam Kałduński, a participant of the latest Chopin Competition and laureate of many awards at festivals and piano competitions. The artist brilliantly played Chopin's etudes, preludes, and mazurkas, but most enchanted and swept the audience with his performance of the B minor Sonata Op. 35.
But the sensations did not end there. Adam Kałduński crowned his brilliant performance with the beautiful Polonaise in A-flat major Op. 53, so beloved by Poles and all Chopin music enthusiasts.
The audience could enjoy wonderful pastries made by the ladies of the local Rural Housewives' Circle.
The concert listeners could not calm down from the excitement for a long time and eagerly commented on the event they had participated in. The host Piotr Komierowski declares that artistic events will continue at the Palace. So – until next time in Komierowo!
