Twentieth anniversary of Rafał Blechacz’s success
Two decades ago, world-renowned pianist Rafał Blechacz, a graduate of music schools in Bydgoszcz and native to our region, won the 15th Fryderyk Chopin International Piano Competition. The musician has also been an Honorary Citizen of the Voivodeship for nine years.
Rafał Blechacz accepted the title of Honorary Citizen of the Voivodeship in 2016. The pianist is one of eight people who have been honoured by the Voivodeship Assembly with this prestigious award.
The pianist’s world-class format, his contribution to the world’s musical culture, his invaluable participation in the musical life of the region and in its promotion, predestines this outstanding artist to receive the title of Honorary Citizen of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodship’. – reads the justification of the resolution of 6 June 2016.
The piano virtuoso, who comes from Nakło nad Notecią, studied at the Artur Rubinstein State Music School in Bydgoszcz under Professor Jacek Polański and studied at the Feliks Nowowiejski Music Academy in Bydgoszcz in the class of Professor Katarzyna Popowa-Zydroń.
At the 15th International Chopin Competition in Warsaw, he won the Grand Prix, the Gold Medal and all possible statutory awards: for the best performance of mazurkas, polonaise, concerto and sonata, as well as the audience award in October 2005. This success opened the doors to the most prestigious concert halls in the world for the musician. The pianist also has recordings of music by Chopin, Mozart, Beethoven, Bach and Szymanowski, among others. Rafał Blechacz is a lecturer at his Alma Mater.
Beata Krzemińska
Spokesperson of the Marshal’s Office
5 May 2025