This autumn, the whole of Warsaw will live and breathe Chopin
Warsaw is the city of Chopin—this is where Poland’s greatest composer and pianist grew up. The International Chopin Piano Competition, held every five years in the Polish capital, is one of the world’s most important musical events. This year, Warsaw will host the competition for the 19th time between October 2 and 23. The competition will be broadcast in full on the official website chopincompetition.pl, in the mobile app, and on the following channels: Chopin Institute on YouTube, Facebook, and, for the first time, TikTok. All stages of the competition will also be broadcast on Polish Radio as well as on Polish Television, on the TVP Kultura channel.
An immersive journey into the composer's world
Norblin Factory hosts the ‘Romantic Chopin’ immersive exhibition—the first such advanced multimedia project in Poland dedicated entirely to Fryderyk Chopin. The initiative is being held at the Art Box Experience multimedia exhibition space in cooperation with the Fryderyk Chopin Institute, and combines modern technology with traditional artforms. The exhibition guides visitors through the most important stages of the composer’s life and work—from the manor house in Żelazowa Wola where he was born, through the Warsaw of his youth, to Vienna and Paris, and finally to the immersion hall, where music interacts with animations and a narration by Chopin himself based on an interpretation of his letters. During the tour, visitors can also enjoy interactive attractions in the form of a tree of Chopin’s family and mentors, whose portraits come to life when touched. Meanwhile, an interactive sculpture allows you to touch a cast of Chopin’s hand and recreate snippets of his compositions, while virtual reality takes visitors on a poetic journey through the landscapes of his homeland and a symbolic cosmos. ‘Romantic Chopin’ is an educational and artistic project addressed to music lovers as well as to families with children. One of its most important elements is a series of piano concerts taking place every second Sunday from October 5, during which Chopin’s works will be performed by outstanding young pianists. The exhibition will run until the end of January 2026.
In Fryderyk's footsteps
There are many places in Warsaw connected with the life and work of Fryderyk Chopin. They are easy to locate thanks to the distinctive Chopin benches where you can not only sit and relax, but also listen to one of the composer’s works at the touch of a button.
Walking along Krakowskie Przedmieście, you will pass by the Presidential Palace, where Chopin gave concerts as a child. In his youth, he played at the Visitationist Church during mass for pupils of the Warsaw Lyceum, which he attended, and his family lived in Kazimierzowski Palace—today part of the University of Warsaw—while Czapski Palace was the composer’s last address in Warsaw before he left for Paris.
In 1830, Fryderyk Chopin left for Vienna from Wessel Palace, where he was bid farewell by friends. At that time, the palace served as the Saxon Post Office and postal stables.
A symbolic place is the Basilica of the Holy Cross, in which an urn bearing Chopin’s heart is embedded in one of the pillars. An important point on the map of Warsaw is the Fryderyk Chopin Museum, where you can see musical manuscripts, letters and personal mementoes of the composer, such as his piano, a gold watch, and a calendar. Piano recitals are held there every Saturday and Sunday, included in the admission price.
However, this is not the only place in the city where you can listen to Chopin’s music live. The composer’s works are also performed at the National Philharmonic, in atmospheric concert halls in the Old Town, and in Royal Łazienki Park at the huge Fryderyk Chopin Monument, where acclaimed outdoor concerts are held on Sundays in the summer.
Walking in the composer’s footsteps is a fascinating lesson in history and culture, as well as an opportunity to understand why his music still moves hearts—regardless of age or nationality. For music lovers, it is a real pilgrimage; for tourists an inspiring adventure, and for Varsovians—pride.
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