Centenary of Poland - Regaining Independence Concert

Mr. President,
Ambassador Czech,
Excellences,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure and privilege to open this event marking the Centenary of Poland regaining independence. I thank all of you for joining us here this evening. Allow me to congratulate the Polish people and wish Poland a “Happy Anniversary!” Sto lat!

A very warm welcome to our guests of honour, H.E. Mr. Andrzej Duda [An-drey Duda], the President of the Republic of Poland and Mrs. Duda. Mr. President, we are very privileged to welcome you to the Palais des Nations.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Ambassador Czech and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Poland for organizing this very special event. I wish to also recognize Dr. Bozena Schmid Adamczyk for her contribution to this evening and to the cultural life of Geneva, in general.

This evening, we will have the pleasure of listening to unique performances by pianist Rafal Luszczewski [Lou-chev-ski] and the Chopin University Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Grzegorz Nowak [Dje-gorsh Novak].

Together, we will embark on a musical journey that spans over one hundred years of Polish history and culture.

We will be introduced to the pioneer of Polish national opera, Stanislaw Moniuszko, whose melodies and rhythmic patterns are born of Polish musical folklore.

We will be treated to a piece by Frederic Chopin, the undisputed Romantic master. As a Polish émigré living in Paris, most of Chopin’s masterpieces were inspired by his love and longing for Poland. This evening’s Grande polonaise brillante is among Chopin’s most technically demanding pieces.

And we will also listen to the Warsaw Concerto, a piece that, although written by Richard Addinsell, an Englishman, was described by the film historian John Huntley as having the ability to become “associated in the mind of the audience, with Poland”.

The Overture is a piece by Ignacy Jan Paderewski [Pa-der-efski], a founding father of the Second Polish Republic. He was one of Poland’s first representatives to the League of Nations. Paderewski was a virtuoso pianist and statesman, who left an indelible mark on the arts and on the world of diplomacy.

His statue, donated to us by the Government of Poland in the year 2000, stands right outside this room, in a hall bearing his name.

It serves as a reminder that, as one of the founding members of the League of Nations, and one of the 51 original members of the United Nations, Poland has been, over the last century, a prominent voice for peace and multilateralism.

We hope to continue seeing Poland demonstrate this high level of leadership and commitment to our shared ideals for the future.

Without a doubt, the power of music will inspire us and encourage us to deepen our collaboration even further.

I wish you an excellent evening.

Dziękuję bardzo. [Gen-KOO-yea bar-d-zoh]

Thank you very much.