Henryk Wieniawski Musical Society in Poznań

The Henryk Wieniawski Musical Society in Poznań (Towarzystwo Muzyczne im. Henryka Wieniawskiego w Poznaniu) is a Polish musical association founded on 12 November 1960 in Poznań. It continues the tradition of the Polish Singing Circle (Koło Śpiewackie Polskie), established in Poznań in 1885, and a few months after its founding, on 17 February 1961, it merged with the Poznań Musical Society. The society is named after Henryk Wieniawski, the Polish composer and violinist, and its mission centers on promoting musical culture and knowledge, with particular emphasis on Wieniawski's oeuvre, as well as inspiring and promoting violin composition, performance, and violin-making. The society is best known as the organizer of the International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition, one of the world's oldest and most prestigious violin competitions, and the International Henryk Wieniawski Violin-Making Competition. These events are held in Poznań and attract participants and audiences from around the world. The society's official website, wieniawski.pl, serves as the central information hub for its activities, including news about upcoming competitions; for example, it promotes the new website for the 17th Wieniawski Competition (8–25 October 2026) at konkurs.wieniawski.pl. The society is headquartered in a historic townhouse at ul. Świętosławska 7 in Poznań's Old Town, near the Old Market Square. It operates as an association (stowarzyszenie) under Polish law. Its leadership has included prominent figures in Polish musical life: co-founder and first president Tadeusz Szeligowski, followed by Edward Statkiewicz, Stefan Stuligrosz, Mieczysław Dondajewski, Jadwiga Kaliszewska, Andrzej Wituski, Bartosz Bryła, Alina Kurczewska, and Agata Szymczewska (from June 2023). The office has been directed by Włodzimierz Hubicki, Edmund Grabkowski, Zdzisław Dworzecki, Michał Merczyński, Andrzej Wituski, Ewa Mikołajczak, and Karolina Kaźmierczak (from 2023). Through its competitions and educational initiatives, the society plays a significant role in the international violin community and in preserving the legacy of Henryk Wieniawski. It collaborates with sponsors and partners, as indicated on its website, and maintains a strong presence in Poznań's cultural landscape.

The Henryk Wieniawski Musical Society in Poznań was founded on 12 November 1960, continuing the tradition of the Polish Singing Circle (Koło Śpiewackie Polskie), which had been established in Poznań in 1885. On 17 February 1961, just a few months after its founding, it merged with the Poznań Musical Society. Tadeusz Szeligowski was a co-founder and the first president of the organization. Subsequent presidents have included Edward Statkiewicz, Stefan Stuligrosz, Mieczysław Dondajewski, Jadwiga Kaliszewska, Andrzej Wituski, Bartosz Bryła, Alina Kurczewska, and Agata Szymczewska (from June 2023). The office of the society has been directed by Włodzimierz Hubicki, Edmund Grabkowski, Zdzisław Dworzecki, Michał Merczyński, Andrzej Wituski, Ewa Mikołajczak, and Karolina Kaźmierczak (from 2023). The society's aims include popularizing musical culture and deepening knowledge about music, with special emphasis on the works of Henryk Wieniawski; inspiring and promoting violin composition and performance; inspiring and promoting violin-making; education and dissemination of musical knowledge and culture; and supporting and promoting musical artists, especially violinists and violin-makers. It is the organizer of the International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition and the International Henryk Wieniawski Violin-Making Competition. The society is headquartered in a townhouse at ul. Świętosławska 7 in Poznań's Old Town, near the Old Market Square. Its official website is wieniawski.pl.

• 2026

  17th International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition scheduled for 8–25 October 2026; new website launched.

• 2023

  Agata Szymczewska became president in June 2023; Karolina Kaźmierczak became office director.

• 1961

  Merged with the Poznań Musical Society on 17 February 1961.

• 1960

  Society founded on 12 November 1960 in Poznań.

• 1885

  Koło Śpiewackie Polskie (Polish Singing Circle) founded in Poznań; the society continues its tradition.

A cultural non-profit association dedicated to promoting musical culture, violin performance, and violin-making, with a special focus on the legacy of Henryk Wieniawski.

• International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition

  One of the world's oldest and most prestigious violin competitions, held in Poznań.

• International Henryk Wieniawski Violin-Making Competition

  A competition for violin-makers, organized by the society.

1. 1Towarzystwo Muzyczne im. H. Wieniawskiego w Poznaniu – Official Websitewieniawski.pl
2. 2Towarzystwo Muzyczne im. Henryka Wieniawskiego w Poznaniu – Wikipedia (Polish)pl.wikipedia.org
3. 3Towarzystwo Muzyczne im. Henryka Wieniawskiego w Poznaniu – Wikidatawikidata.org