Jubilee Beethoven Festival underway in Poland
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
15.03.2016 12:17
The 20th edition of Poland's Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival is underway in Warsaw, and it will run until 25 March.
![The National Philharmonic in Warsaw. Photo: Szczebrzeszynski [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](http://external.polskieradio.pl/files/571cd96e-9471-4f51-8556-931efa5d93cc.file "The National Philharmonic in Warsaw. Photo: Szczebrzeszynski [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons")
The National Philharmonic in Warsaw. Photo: Szczebrzeszynski [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
The event, which is organised by Elżbieta Penderecka, wife of celebrated composer Krzysztof Penderecki, has evolved into one of the most prestigious fixtures in Poland's classical music calendar.
This year's incarnation is being held under the title of 'Beethoven and new Directions'.
The culmination will be a performance of Krzysztof Penderecki’s “St Luke's Passion” on the 50th anniversary of its premiere, conducted by the composer himself.
Culture Minister booed at opening
Culture Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Gliński was booed at the festival's inaugural concert over the weekend at the Warsaw Philharmonic.
Gliński's attendance came just hours after thousands of Poles marched against the government in defence of a ruling by Poland's Constitutional Tribunal.
The opening concert saw a performance of Beethoven’s Fantasy for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra as well as the renowned 9th Symphony.
Earlier this year, seven Polish writers declined to accept state honours from the minister. (nh)