The years when you did not participate in the festival are wasted years …
These are very special events which for many reasons ought to be seen. First of all, it is an important artistic event. Secondly, it evokes incredible emotions, which make a person look at life from a different perspective and evaluate situations using different criteria … And I think everyone needs to experience such moments. It is not only a field where we simply observe integration, where abled people function along side disabled people … One can say it in a lofty manner that it enables one to have faith in human nature, and observe how one human is human to another human. The event in Ciechocinek is the biggest event of its type in Europe. For years now the festival has been very popular among young artists, as well as being an attraction for the tourists and holiday makers in Ciechocinek in summer. It has its faithful audience, who with warm applause support the children in their competition trials. This year, the festival started on July 10. Fifty participants, their carers, Johann Strauss Symphonic Orchestra under the direction of Marek Czekała, featuring the acclaimed composer, pianist and conductor Piotr Salaber and many instructors took part. First there were singing workshops over two weeks, rehearsals with disabled singers and the orchestra, and then seven concerts, of which five were held in the Zdrojowy Park in Ciechocinek; competition concerts were held on July 23 and 24, then a mixed international concert on July 25, a Gala Concert on July 26 and a concert of winnerswas held on July 27 in Toruń. Pro Omnibus Foundation organised the events.

The festival is in fact a competition. Who can participate in it? What steps need to be taken to get to Ciechocinek?
Every year we recruit candidates for the Festival. Applications close at the end of March. The forms may be obtained from various places, including from the Foundation’s website, in the press, in the Internet … But the most interesting form for us is by “word of mouth”… Who can enter? People up to 23 years of age. Disabled youth, who have talent for singing … Participants in the festival are disabled people, but they are also exceptionally musically talented young people. Our aim is to promote real talent. Of course, on the one hand it is a festival and a song competition, and we all agree that in fact we want to prove that disability is a relative thing … that the people who came here are wonderful, sensitive and talented, and who for three to four weeks will perfect their art up until the Gala Concert. We have two age categories: up to 14 years of age and above 14 years of age. Those wishing to participate in the Festival send in their applications, together with their suggested repertoire in any form available to them. We listen to the applications. The most interesting are chosen for presentation in Ciechocinek. About 20 percent of novices take part in the Festival every year.

The Festival also includes an international concert. Whom could the audience admire this year?

Ewa Lewandowska, who won the Grand Prix prize last year had her own mini concert. The Jumbo Africa group presented music of the 70s and 80s, guitarist Łukasz Kuropaczewski and tenor Gennady Iskhakov also took part in the concert.

Let’s talk about the friends of the Festival … This group gets bigger every year, doesn’t it?
Yes. More people see the huge value in holding such events. Gennady Iskhakov, who has a mixed background – he is a Pole, a Russian and an Israeli citizen, joined us this year. He sings beautifully. Gennady helped our instructors during the singing workshops, sat on the jury and had his own recital during the concert on July 25. Poland’s First Lady Maria Kaczyńska was honorary patron of the Festival for the third year in a row. She is our real friend.

Has the Festival’s formula changed over the years? How does the Festival change the lives of participants and organisers?
Several years ago the Festival was merely a presentation of talents. Four years ago, the participants brought on the competition themselves. The orchestra is with us since last year. So it is more stately and grand. We work together all year. Those in our care know that in order to come to Ciechocinek they have to work hard. That is, nobody has a permanent ticket to Ciechocinek. So children who had already been to Ciechocinek four times still send us current applications. How does the Festival change these kids? First of all they become very responsible. They know that to achieve something in life they sometimes have to overcome barriers and take risks. And it has to be remembered that apart from huge health issues, these people have to overcome problems in the musical area. It is no secret that people who have lower limb disabilities also have breathing problems. So, our children have to work really hard and continually improve in order to interpret various works with ease.

How can these children be helped in between Festivals? Pro Omnibus Foundation organises various concerts during the year … This Festival is but the climax of all these activities …
The festival in Ciechocinek is the Pro Omnibus Foundation’s biggest undertaking. I think that it is not only our Foundation’s and Ciechocinek’s calling card, but all of Poland’s as well. The Foundation makes every effort to facilitate the young people in its care, our friends, to perform in public – on stage and on television. “Magnificat” Oratorio Concert was held on May 11 at the Psychology Faculty Hall of the University of Warsaw. The well-known actor Michał Milowicz was host of the event. Fourteen young people in our care performed with the Johann Strauss Symphonic Orchestra under the direction of Marek Czekała, and the “Adoramus” Choir directed by Barbara Weiser. The concert is a first step to long-term cooperation between the Pro Omnibus Foundation and the faculty in the area of student placements. Apart from that we also prepare Christmas carol concerts. The next “Magnificat” is being prepared for autumn this year. We will celebrate our tenth anniversary next year. And we have started preparations for it already …