About Chopin Centre

Years 1949 – 1952 Fryderyk Chopin Memorial Room

The history of The Chopin Centre dates back to 1949. Its activity was initiated on 25 September with “Chopin Festival” along with an exhibition organized by Mieczysław Tomaszewski.The festival was accompanied by a concert given by Stanisław Szpinalski, Irena Jęsiakówna and the Pomerania Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Arnold Rezler.
During that time Fryderyk Chopin Memorial Room was created under the patronage of the workers of the sugar factory in Ostrowite.

Years 1952 – 1957 Centre of the Cult of Fryderyk Chopin

On 7 September 1952 the ceremony of unveiling of the memorial plaque and naming the school in Szafarnia after Fryderyk Chopin took place. The Fryderyk Chopin Memorial Room was renamed the Centre of the Cult of Fryderyk Chopin. At that time The Center’s seat was not impressive as it used to take up just two rooms in the school building.

Years 1957 – 1977 Fryderyk Chopin Music Salon

In the years 1957-77, the Centre was known as Fryderyk Chopin Music Salon. The most important problem behind organizing concerts was the lack of the grand piano. The first instrument was bought in 1977. Meanwhile the Salon got hold of a number of recordings of F. Chopin’s music as well as a stereophonic record player.
While the Center’s name was subject to a number of changes, its main activity remained the same and focused mainly on organizing concerts and vernissages.

In the period between 1970 – 76 due to the lack of the interest from the local authorities, the Centre was in such a dilapidating state that its activities had to be suspended.

Years 1977 – 1988 Cultural Centre

In 1979 there was a fire at the Dziewanowskis estate and as a result the Center was closed. Many of the exhibits donated by the Fryderyk Chopin Society in Warsaw were destroyed in the fire. In the period between 1980 – 1988, the Centre’s building undergone a complex repair.

Years 1988 – 2004

After the renovation which lasted 8 years, on 10 September in the presence of the local authorities, an official opening of The F. Chopin Cultural Centre took place ; the opening ceremony was accompanied by a recital by Ewa Pobłocka and also by the reading of Szafarnia Courier by Igor Śmiałowski. The Centre obtained some new pieces of equipment, a Petrof grand piano among other things. At that time the Centre occupied four rooms at the ground floor of the building (a concert room, a museum room, a lounge and a hall). The first floor of the building belonged to the primary School in Szafarnia. The park surrounding the building was also being developed gradually.

The first person to become the director of the newly-refurbished building was Hanna Kończalska. The Centre’s most important preoccupation was organizing concerts of Polish as well as foreign artists (mainly piano recitals).

In 1990 Elżbieta Buler became the new director of the place. She continued her work up till October 2008. During that time she initiated many projects which are still present in the calendar of events organized by the Chopin Centre in Szafarnia. The most important of the aforementioned events is The Fryderyk Chopin International Piano Competition for children and youth. The first competition took place in 1992.

In the period between 2002 – 2003 there was a strike in Szfarnia organized by the parents of the children who attended the school which took up the first floor of the Dziewanowskis estate. The parents opposed to the decision of Radomin Commune Council concerning the closing of the school. During that time, the Centre’s activity was suspended for the second time.

Years 2004 – 2009

In February 2004, Sejmik of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship adopted a resolution regarding cooperation with Radomin Commune in the running of the New Chopin Centre, commencing on 1 September 2004. This institution took over all the remaining rooms occupied by the Primary School which had been closed.

On 5 January2009, Agnieszka Brzezińska became the new director of the Centre. Some of her main aims are promoting the place among Polish and foreign tourists, broadening the offer aimed at children and youth and also transforming the museum room into an interactive gallery. Apart from the aforementioned plans, the Centre maintains its concert and educational activity on a regular basis.

At the moment the Centre is preparing for the Chopin Year 2010 celebrations. Among its numerous investments, the Centre is the purchase of a new grand piano for which the Chopin Centre has already collected the money from the Ministry.