News

The Chopin University of Music has taken note, with close attention, of the reports emerging from the 51st International PIF Accordion Competition in Castelfidardo. Among the members of the jury who decided not to take part in evaluating contestants representing Russia was our faculty member, Professor Klaudiusz Baran, former Rector of the Chopin University of Music (2016–2024). During the final of the event, the Mayor of Castelfidardo criticised their position, apologised to the Russian contestants, and publicly declared that he would make every effort to ensure that these jurors would not be invited to serve on the jury of this competition again.

For the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe, and in particular for Ukrainians, many of whom have studied, are studying, or teach at our University, the war waged by Russia against our neighbour is not an abstract matter. At the same time, we distinguish between a state and its culture. The legacy of Russian music remains an important part of the world’s cultural heritage and is also a lasting element of our teaching. At the same time, we believe that a juror has the right to recognise exceptional circumstances in which their conscience does not allow them to evaluate certain contestants. Such a decision is a matter of freedom of expression and freedom of conscience. It should not result in public censure or in a declaration that the juror will be excluded from future jury panels, as occurred in Castelfidardo.

We are issuing this statement at a time when Russian strikes are reaching the immediate vicinity of the border of the Republic of Poland. We express our respect for the position taken by Professor Klaudiusz Baran and the other jurors (representatives of Lithuania and Ukraine) who made the same decision. We stand in solidarity with our Ukrainian colleagues

Prof. Tomasz Strahl
Rector of the Chopin University of Music
together with his closest colleagues