Krzyżowa Music – a Chamber Music Festival that brings people together.

On August 28, 2025, the 11th edition of Krzyżowa Music began – an event that for over a decade has drawn outstanding musicians from around the world and audiences eager for art of the highest caliber to Lower Silesia.

Festival Concept

Krzyżowa Music Festival was founded in 2014 through the initiative of violinist Viviane Hagner and cultural promoter Matthias von Hülsen. Their vision was to create a space where young artists could learn from masters, and audiences could experience chamber music in its most authentic form—through shared performance, listening, and dialogue. It’s more than just concerts; it’s workshops, symposia, meetings, and intergenerational exchange that together build a musical bridge between Eastern and Western Europe.

Opening Concert of the 11th Edition of the Festival at the Church of Peace

Krzyżowa – A Place of History and Meaning

Krzyżowa is a small village in the Świdnica municipality, known not only for its picturesque palace but above all as a symbol of reconciliation and dialogue. It was here, in 1989, that the famous Reconciliation Mass took place, attended by Tadeusz Mazowiecki and Helmut Kohl. Even earlier, during World War II, Krzyżowa served as the meeting place of the anti-Nazi Kreisau Circle, led by Helmuth James von Moltke. Today, Krzyżowa is home to the International Youth Meeting Centre—a space where music becomes a language of understanding across borders.

Gruszów (known as Birkholz before World War II) is historically connected to Krzyżowa (formerly Kreisau). The estates in Krzyżowa, Grodziszcze Dolne, and Wieruszów once belonged to the same noble family, von Dresky, who built the Gruszów Palace and owned the surrounding lands. On August 1, 1867, Emma von Dresky, née Müller, sold the estates of Krzyżowa, Grodziszcze Dolne, and Wieruszów to General Helmuth von Moltke for the sum of 245,000 thalers.

The von Moltke Family Palace in Krzyżowa

Program of the 11th Edition – Krzyżowa Music 2025

The festival will run from August 26 to September 7, 2025, featuring 11 concerts and 2 symposia. The repertoire includes works by composers such as Krzysztof Penderecki, Karol Szymanowski, Grażyna Bacewicz, Mieczysław Karłowicz, Maurice Ravel, and Dmitri Shostakovich, alongside anniversary tributes to Sofia Gubaidulina, Johann Sebastian Bach, Beethoven, Korngold, Haydn, Bruch, Tchaikovsky, Schönberg, and Kreisler.

Concerts will take place in Krzyżowa, Wrocław (NFM), Szczawno-Zdrój, Grodziszcz, Świdnica, and Jawor—including performances in the historic Churches of Peace. Most events are free of charge, with tickets available on the Krzyżowa Music website.

Krzyżowa Music is more than a festival. It’s a space where music becomes dialogue, and dialogue becomes art. If you're anywhere near Lower Silesia, don’t miss this opportunity—because in Krzyżowa, the heart of Europe truly plays.

Krzyżowa-Music 2025 Concert Program

August 28 – Świdnica, Church of Peace, 6:00 PM Opening concert in one of Europe’s most significant sacred landmarks. The program includes works by Moszkowski, Szymanowski, and Bach.

August 29 – Krzyżowa, Concert Hall, 6:00 PM & 9:00 PM Two performances at the heart of the festival. An evening and late-night concert in an intimate setting, featuring young musicians alongside world-renowned artists.

August 30 – Wrocław, National Forum of Music, 6:00 PM The festival’s only ticketed concert. A prestigious venue, curated repertoire, and an exceptional lineup.

August 31 – Krzyżowa, 7:00 PM Krzyżowa-Music 2025 Summer Evening Concert.

September 4 – Szczawno-Zdrój, Spa Theatre, 7:00 PM A concert in a historic spa theatre. A unique blend of music and architecture.

September 5 – Jawor, Church of Peace, 7:00 PM Chamber music in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A repertoire that bridges classical tradition and modern expression.

September 6 – Krzyżowa, 6:00 PM & 9:00 PM Return to Krzyżowa for two concerts—an evening and a night performance. A perfect moment to reflect on the festival’s musical journey.

September 7 – Krzyżowa, 6:00 PM Final concert featuring all festival artists. Followed by a gathering with the musicians and a shared celebration.