Prishtina, May 8, 2025
The acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, this evening participated in the opening of the Chopin Piano Fest Prishtina festival, on the occasion of the 15th edition, which was held at the Amphitheater of the University Library in Prishtina.
Considered one of the most significant cultural events in our country, Prime Minister Kurti, at the solemn opening of this festival, said that Chopin Fest is not only a celebration of the piano, but also of social unity, artistic education and cultural diplomacy.
This festival, which bears the name of the world-renowned figure Frédéric Chopin, as one of the most unifying names in the history of world pianism, is more than a series of concerts. As such, it supports young talents, promotes musical heritage, documents creativity and encourages diplomacy through art.
“Chopin Fest in Kosovo is already a consolidated tradition. It reflects our openness to the world, passion for music and commitment to quality. This year too, the festival program is rich and impressive, with artists from Poland, France, Hungary, Ukraine, Austria, Italy, the United Kingdom, Lithuania, Cuba, Sweden, and of course, Kosovo. This is a testament to the power of international cooperation and the place that Kosovo is gaining on the global cultural map”, said Prime Minister Kurti.
Among other things, he added that as the Government of the Republic and through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the independent cultural sector and to creating new development conditions for festivals that are national treasure.
“Thank you to all the artists who will perform, to the institutions that support, and above all to the public that makes this event so lively. And a special thank you to the organizers you create not only beautiful music, but also a more harmonious society and a more rhythmic progress”, concluded Prime Minister Kurti.
Full speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Honored pianist, Ms. Maria Gabrys-Heyke, pianist from Poland,
Your Excellency, Ambassador of the European Union to Kosovo, Mr. Aivo Orav,
Honored ambassadors and diplomatic representatives accredited to the Republic of Kosovo,
Honored Ms. Agnieszka Kowalska and the delegation from Poland,
Honorable Lejla Haxhiu Pula, artistic director of Chopin Piano Fest and Honorable Besa Luzha, organizational director of Chopin Piano Fest,
Honorable leaders of the institutions of art and culture of our country,
Honorable Ministers of the Government and Members of Parliament,
Honorable young pianists,
Dear art lovers,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Honorable guests,
It is an honor for me to be here with you tonight at the opening of one of the most significant cultural events in our country—Chopin Fest—a celebration of the piano, but also of social unity, artistic education, and cultural diplomacy.
The festival’s name bears the figure of Frédéric Chopin, one of the most unifying names in the history of world pianism. The piano is not just a musical instrument, it is a tool of nobility, discipline, and creativity. Through its sounds, it has the power to connect people, heal divisions, and build bridges between cultures and generations.
The figure of Frédéric Chopin, a master of the piano and a symbol of European cultural unity, has profoundly influenced music education in the world and in Kosovo, where his music has been performed, studied, and commemorated through competitions and new creations by our composers.
This connection is deepened by Poland’s rich cultural tradition with figures such as Ignacy Jan Paderewski, pianist, composer and Prime Minister, as well as Witold Lutosławski and Krzysztof Penderecki, who have elevated Polish music to the world stage and strengthened cultural ties with countries like Kosovo.
Chopin Fest in Kosovo is already a consolidated tradition. It reflects our openness to the world, passion for music and commitment to quality. This year, the festival’s program is rich and impressive, with artists from Poland, France, Hungary, Ukraine, Austria, Italy, the United Kingdom, Lithuania, Cuba, Sweden, and of course, Kosovo. This is a testament to the power of international cooperation and the place that Kosovo is gaining on the global cultural map.
This festival is more than a series of concerts. It is a vibrant cultural ecosystem, supporting young talents, promoting musical heritage, documenting creativity and fostering diplomacy through art. It connects our independent music scene with similar structures in the region and the world.
I would like to express special gratitude to Professors Lejla Pula and Besa Luzha, who, through tireless work, together with a dedicated team and local and international support, have built a platform that today belongs to all of us.
In this year of legal reforms in the field of culture, we, as the Government of the Republic and through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, reaffirm our commitment to supporting the independent cultural sector and to creating new development conditions for festivals that are national treasure.
Thank you to all the artists who will perform, the institutions that support, and above all to the audience that makes this event so lively. And a special thank you to the organizers: you create not only beautiful music, but also a more harmonious society and a more rhythmic progress.
Thank you.
Last modified: May 12, 2025