But before we attempt a full summary, a few words about the Grande Finale, as part of which we hosted two recitals of the “Chopin en Vacances” festival in the Pearl!
The pearl stage had to be very large this time – after all, we had a Steinway-D concert grand piano!
The Temple of Art and Light is an incredibly adaptable venue. The stage and audience aren’t permanently attached to the space, allowing for a truly expansive ways of adaptation. So, for this particular event, the stage was… in the center! We arranged the audience chairs around the piano, minimising the distance between the audience and the instrument. Do you agree that this arrangement, conceived and executed by our leader, Thinloth, worked brilliantly? 
One by one, outstanding young pianists sat before Steinway-D. Although barely in their teens, their virtuosity was the envy of their much older colleagues. The first recital, consisting entirely of works by Fryderyk Chopin, was played by Piotr Lara. It was clear that the audience hadn’t expected playing of this caliber from the young pianist.
Moments later, Antonina Waliszewska played her recital of works by Chopin, Bach, and Beethoven, proving for the second time that day that virtuosity isn’t limited to older pianists. With such pianistic sensitivity, the world’s greatest stages are open to her!
The audience, filled all the seats in the Pearl, including the additional seats, and decided to participate in the event – even standing, warmly welcomed both pianists. Despite three hours, which included two recitals and anecdotes told by the festival’s master of ceremonies from “Ziemia Dobrzyńska,” the hall was still packed when the final notes of the last piece faded away.
It was a beautiful evening concluding the 2025 Pearl Cultural Season!
We would like to thank the wonderful young pianists, the beloved Pearl Audience, the organizers from the “Ziemia Dobrzyńska,” and the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of Poland, which financed part of their festival activities! We would also like to thank the Bolesławiec Commune for contributing to our costs related to the event.