From October 20–31, 2025, the exhibition “One Hundred Years of Musical Emigration” by the MEAKULTURA Foundation, presenting drawings by Max Skorwider, was held in Brussels. Music and art lovers had a unique chance to discover the stories of the “lost generation” of Polish musical intelligentsia and take a fresh look at their fascinating body of work. The project’s goal is to promote awareness of Polish émigré composers.
The exhibition was curated by Dr. Marlena Wieczorek – the originator of the book One Hundred Years of Musical Emigration. Polish Composers Abroad (1918–2018) and President of the MEAKULTURA Foundation. The exhibition in Belgium was organized by the Emigration Project (coordination: Maciej Hilarowicz).
During the exhibition, on Wednesday, October 29, an inspiring meeting was held with Prof. Beata Bolesławska-Lewandowska (Institute of Art of the Polish Academy of Sciences, President of the Polish Composers’ Union). As the scholarly supervisor for the One Hundred Years of Musical Emigration publication, Prof. Bolesławska-Lewandowska expertly introduced the guests to the dramatic fates of the composers, whose work often awaits rediscovery.
The conversation culminated in a concert by Michał Ciesielski (jazz pianist) and Aleksandra Denga (violinist, Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie), who performed works by Polish émigré composers.
fot. Ania Moisiuk
