“The Heritage of Frédéric Chopin” -- The Boutroux-Ferrà Collection in Vallemossa

Deputy Prime Minister Gliński,
Ambassador Stachańczyk,
Dr. Schmid-Adamczyk,
Mr. Krupiński,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to be with you this evening to celebrate through scholarship, film and music the works of one of the world’s most influential and transformative artists: Frédéric Chopin. Allow me to express my gratitude to the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, as well as the Permanent Mission of Poland, for organizing this event and for their sustained commitments to sharing Poland’s cultural heritage and artistic vitality with International Geneva. I would also like to thank the organization Musica pro Pace for making this evening possible. Of course, a special thank you to tonight’s outstanding performer, Mr. Łukasz Krupiński.

In the winter of 1838 and 1839, Chopin and his partner – the renowned writer George Sand – spent a few months in the Spanish islands of Mallorca; a brief and unhappy visit for the composer that still proved to be one of his most productive periods. Tonight, we have the privilege of learning about this critical moment in his life from a world-class scholar whose passion for Chopin began when she first learned to play his works as a child. Dr. Schmid-Adamczyk is in many ways Switzerland’s living link to Chopin. As a prodigious pianist, renowned Chopin expert and a Swiss citizen of Polish birth, I could think of no better author to convey the story and life of Chopin to International Geneva. Her new volume – The Heritage of Frédéric Chopin: The Boutroux-Ferrà Collection in Valldemossa – represents a far-reaching survey of this rare treasure trove of Chopin documents and artefacts.

In his life’s journey from Poland to France, Chopin embodied the 19th century Polish search for sanctuary from oppression and for the promise of opportunity. This Polish diaspora not only found refuge, but flourished, leaving an indelible mark on the arts, science and commerce. We are gathered here today in the shadow of a monument to another great Polish pianist and patriot: Ignacy Jan Paderewski, a founding father of the Second Polish Republic and one of its first representatives to the League of Nations. Their accomplishments – and those of countless other Poles – are a reminder that these migrants and refugees not only enriched Poland, but the countries that opened their doors to them.

Ultimately, Chopin’s mazurkas, polonaises and études themselves embody this message of openness and cultural understanding, which contributes to their enduring power. Thanks to the skill of Mr. Krupiński we will later have the opportunity to be touched by Chopin’s work. I wish you all an excellent evening.

Thank you very much.