The 78th edition of the Edinburgh International Festival – one of the UK’s most prestigious and longest-running festivals – will take place in Edinburgh between 1 and 24 August 2025. This year’s programme, under the theme “The Truth We Seek”, will, for the first time in the festival’s history, feature Focus on Poland – a unique section dedicated to Polish music. The programme will showcase outstanding Polish artists, including Piotr Anderszewski, the VOŁOSI group, the NFM Orkiestra Leopoldinum, and the Wrocław Baroque Ensemble. It will also feature interpretations of iconic works by Polish composers, performed by award-winning violinist Bomsori Kim and the exceptionally talented young pianist Ryan Wang.

Poland’s presence at this renowned festival is part of the ongoing UK/Poland Season 2025, which brings the most valuable aspects of both cultures closer to audiences in the UK and Poland through a series of concerts, exhibitions, performances, and other artistic events. Running until November 2025, the season exemplifies the long-term cultural collaboration between Poland and the UK, strengthening mutual ties through the arts.

Focus on Poland at the Edinburgh International Festival is organised in cooperation with the Adam Mickiewicz Institute and the Polish Cultural Institute in London, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.

Edinburgh International Festival: The Truth We Seek

Since 1947, the Edinburgh International Festival has been one of the world’s most significant cultural events, showcasing outstanding achievements in music, opera, theatre, and dance. This year’s edition (1–24 August) is themed “The Truth We Seek”, inviting reflection on the concept of truth – both in art and in society.

In this context, Focus on Poland takes on particular significance, highlighting how Polish artists interpret universal values through music, fostering cultural exchange and dialogue. From the perspective of Polish-British relations, the presence of Polish artists at this year’s festival is especially important. The festival is part of UK/Poland Season 2025 – a cultural programme of unprecedented scale, featuring nearly 100 events in dozens of cities across Poland and the UK, organised by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute with the support of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, the British Council, and the Polish Cultural Institute in London, alongside partners on both sides of the English Channel.

“Focus on Poland acts like a lens – its aim is to draw attention to Polish culture and strengthen its presence on the international stage. This programme is the result of a deep dialogue and a strong partnership with the Edinburgh International Festival, built on mutual understanding. We worked together, listening carefully to each other’s perspectives and needs. The festival brings invaluable knowledge of its audience, while we bring insight into our artists and their unique creative visions. Bringing these two perspectives together allows us to uncover new opportunities for cultural exchange and artistic discovery.

The Polish programme at this extraordinary festival is part of UK/Poland Season 2025, and I can’t think of a better moment for this collaboration. Poland assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union at the beginning of the year, and the Polish-British Season is gathering momentum in parallel. Although our countries are no longer part of the same political community within the EU, our cultural ties remain exceptionally strong – they are the foundation of good relations and a constant source of mutual inspiration” – said Olga Brzezińska, Deputy Director of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, during the inauguration of the Edinburgh International Festival programme.

The Focus on Poland Programme:

• Vołosi – a Polish string quintet founded in 2007, bringing together folk musicians from the Silesian Beskids and classically trained artists. Their music is a dynamic fusion of genres, blending Carpathian folklore with Balkan, Gypsy, and Oriental influences.
• NFM Orkiestra Leopoldinum – established in 1978, this orchestra is renowned for its remarkable expressiveness and distinctive approach to music. It regularly performs at prestigious international festivals and collaborates with world-class conductors and soloists. At the festival, it will appear twice: first with a programme featuring works by Bacewicz, Strauss, Kilar, and Bizet (in an arrangement by Shchedrin), and later in Tribute to Menuhin, performing works by Elgar, Bach, and Bartók.
• Piotr Anderszewski – a celebrated Polish pianist with an extensive discography, numerous accolades, and collaborations with leading musicians worldwide. He will give a piano recital featuring late works by Brahms and Bartók.
• Bomsori Kim – an acclaimed South Korean violinist and a Deutsche Grammophon artist since 2021. Her versatile repertoire spans both classical masterpieces and contemporary compositions. She will perform a joint recital with Thomas Hoppe, the esteemed German chamber pianist and co-founder of the ATOS Trio. Their programme will include works by Szymanowski, Bacewicz, and Wieniawski.
• Wrocław Baroque Ensemble – conducted by Andrzej Kosendiak, the ensemble will present Zieleński’s Baroque repertoire to the festival audience. Founded in 2012, the group specialises in historically informed performances of early music, with a particular focus on Polish Baroque composers and lesser-known Central European works.
• Ryan Wang – a Canadian pianist renowned for his artistic maturity and exceptional technique. Winner of BBC Young Musician of the Year 2024, he has performed in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls. At the festival, he will present a programme dedicated to Chopin.

Focus on Poland programme at the Edinburgh International Festival:

• 9 August 2025 – VOŁOSI concert, THE HUB
• 10 August 2025 – Leopoldinum Orkiestra NFM concert, Usher Hall
  • Bacewicz Concerto for String Orchestra
  • Strauss Metamorphosen
  • Kilar Orawa
  • Rodion Carmen Suite for Strings and Percussion
•  11 August 2025 – Piotr Anderszewski concert, The Queen’s Hall
  • Brahms selection of B from:
    • Fantasies, Op. 116
    • Three Intermezzi, Op. 117
    • Six Pieces for Piano, Op. 118
    • Four Pieces for Piano, Op. 119
  • Bartók 14 Bagatelles, Op. 6
• 11 August 2025 – Leopoldinum Orkiestra NFM concert Tribute to Menuhin, Usher Hall
  • Elgar Serenade for String Orchestra in E minor, Op. 20
  • Panufnik Violin Concerto
  • Bach Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043
  • Bartók Divertimento, Sz. 113
• 14 August 2025 – Bomsori Kim and Thomas Hoppe concert, The Queen’s Hall
  • Fauré Sonata No. 1 in A major, Op. 13
  • Szymanowski Nocturne and Tarantella, Op. 28
  • Bacewicz Polish Caprice for violin solo
  • Paderewski Violin Sonata in A minor, Op. 13
  • Wieniawski Fantaisie brillante sur Faust, Op. 20
• 16 August 2025 – Wrocław Baroque Ensemble concert, The Queen’s Hall
  • Zieleński Offertoria et Communions Totius Anni
• 18 August 2025 – Ryan Wang concert, The Queen’s Hall
  • Chopin
    • 24 Preludes, Op. 28
    • “Heroic“ Polonaise in A flat major No. 6, Op. 53
    • Ballade in F minor No. 4, Op. 52
    • Mazurkas, Op. 59
    • Sonata in B flat minor No. 2, Op. 35
    • Variations “La ci darem la mano”, Op. 2

More information: https://www.eif.co.uk/profile/focus-on-poland

UK/Poland Season 2025 - a cultural programme of unprecedented scale

UK/Poland Season 2025 is a cultural programme of unprecedented scale, featuring several dozen events across multiple cities in both Poland and the UK. Running until November 2025, the season marks a new chapter in bilateral cooperation, revitalising cultural dialogue and strengthening existing ties between the two countries. For residents of both countries, it offers a unique opportunity to explore the most exciting artistic phenomena from both sides – encompassing film, theatre, visual arts, design, and music. In Poland, the events are organised by the British Council, while in the UK – by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, the Polish Cultural Institute, and the British Council. The organisation of the Season in the UK and Northern Ireland is supported by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Poland. 

As part of the season, a range of musical events will take place:

• 29 March – Lutosławski by the London Philharmonic Orchestra (Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, London)
• 25 April – “The Hourglass Sanatorium” concert performed by Grażyna Auguścik and Bester Quartet (Institute of Contemporary Arts, London).
• 30 May-2 October – Polish Jazz series at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.
• 17-20 July – Polish focus at the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival (St Bride’s Centre, The Jazz Bar, Spiegeltent in George Square, Edinburgh).
• 9-18 August – Focus on Poland at the Edinburgh International Festival (Usher Hall, Queen’s Hall, The Hub, Edinburgh).
• 25 October – Scotland and Poland: A Celebration. Panufnik as interpreted by Royal Scottish National Orchestra (Glasgow Concert Hall, Glasgow).
• 29 October – Marcin Masecki’s concert in Oxford, in collaboration with the Bodleian Libraries and the Oxford Science and Ideas Festival (University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford).
• November 2025 – London Sinfonietta at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (London).
• 11-16 November – Polish representatives at the EFG London Jazz Festival.