PROGRAM
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Official opening ceremony of the Irena Santor "Vistula Sounds" International Festival:
6.00pm Official Red Carpet Welcome
Venue: OPERA NOVA w Bydgoszczy (ul. Marszałka Focha 5, Bydgoszcz)
7.00pm Opening Concert
Performers on stage: Michał Bajor (Poland, Special Guest), Rumiana Kotseva (Bulgaria), Jarosław Wasik (Poland), Pavlo Tabakov (Ukraine), Elena Kolomiytseva (Estonia), Ewa Novel (Poland), Asia Czajkowska (Poland), Julia Rydelek (Poland, “Vistula Sounds” Grand Prix 2022 and 2024), Kinga Wylęgły (Poland, „Vistula Sounds” Grand Prix 2025), Dagmara Moskwa (Polska, „Vistula Sounds” Special Prize 2025), „Noy Art” Ensemble (Austria), “Zvartnots” Trio (Armenia), Miłka Małecka Vocal Studio (Poland), Sar Sargsyan (Artistic Director, “Vistula Sounds”).
Venue: OPERA NOVA w Bydgoszczy (ul. Marszałka Focha 5, Bydgoszcz)
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
International Song Competition:
2.00pm-6.00pm Part 1.
7.00pm-10.00pm Part 2.
Performers on stage: contestants from 20 countries and Poland
Venue: Teatr Kameralny im. Wandy Rucińskiej w Bydgoszczy (ul. Grodzka 14/16, Bydgoszcz)
Thursday, August 13, 2026
11.00am Film Module "Year of Kujawsko-Pomorskie Cinema People"- screening of the documentary film "Musical Island" by Dr. Teresa Kudyba and Mirosław Basaj
Venue: Qubus Hotel Bydgoszcz (ul. Grodzka 36, Bydgoszcz)
2.00pm - 5.30pm Polish Song Competition
Performers on stage: contestants from 15 countries and Poland
Venue: Teatr Kameralny im. Wandy Rucińskiej w Bydgoszczy (ul. Grodzka 14/16, Bydgoszcz)
7.00pm Intercultural Encounters:
- Part 1. "Polish Culture" - dedicated to and featuring the Festival’s Guest of Honour, Grażyna Brodzińska
- Part 2. "Meeting of Cultures" - “Armenia – A Land of Ancient Culture and Religion”; guest speakers: Varsenik Simonyan (Austria), Angela Stepanyan (Armenia); artistic part: Armenian Cultural Foundation “Zvartnots” (Armenia) and “Noy Art” Cultural Centre (Austria)
Moderated by: Dr. Jarosław Wasik (Poland), Consecutive interpreting: Jacek Borowiec (Poland)
Venue: Teatr Kameralny im. Wandy Rucińskiej w Bydgoszczy (ul. Grodzka 14/16, Bydgoszcz)
Friday, August 14, 2026
Getting to know Kuyavia and Pomerania – guided day trips for Festival contestants:
8.30am "Birthplace of Copernicus" – Toruń
9.00am “In Irena Santor’s Footsteps" – Solec Kujawski
9.30am "City of Music and History" – Bydgoszcz
6.00pm - Awards ceremony: presentation of medals, certificates, and invitations to international festivals and competitions for Festival contestants
Venue: Banks of the Vistula River (Aleja im. Ireny Santor, Solec Kujawski)
7.00pm Awards Ceremony & "Thank you, hosts" concert
Performers on stage: contestants from 20 countries, Duet Judyta Wenda & Kuba Jurzyk (Poland) and Sar Sargsyan (Artistic Director, “Vistula Sounds”)
Venue: Banks of the Vistula River (Aleja im. Ireny Santor, Solec Kujawski)
Saturday, August 15, 2026
11.00am - 1.00pm Vocal Master classes - Hosted by: Viviana Flórez Gutiérrez (Spain); Dr. Marcin Wortmann (Poland)
Venue: Qubus Hotel Bydgoszcz (ul. Grodzka 36, Bydgoszcz)
6.00pm Gala Concert, Awards Ceremony - Grand Prix and Special Prizes
Performers on stage: Grażyna Brodzińska (Poland, Guest of Honour), Joanna Zagdańska (Poland, Special Guest), Sar Sargsyan (Artistic Director, “Vistula Sounds”), winners of the “Vistula Sounds” festival competitions.
Venue: OPERA NOVA w Bydgoszczy (ul. Marszałka Focha 5, Bydgoszcz)
10.00pm “See you again in Kuyavia and Pomerania” – farewell evening for festival contestants and guests only
Venue: Qubus Hotel Bydgoszcz (ul. Grodzka 36, Bydgoszcz)
IMPORTANT! The “Vistula Sounds” festival is not a commercial undertaking – admission to all festival events is free.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE INTEREST!
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
We would like to sincerely thank you for the incredible interest in the anniversary 5th Irena Santor "Vistula Sounds" International Festival!
We are pleased to inform you that all available tickets for both concerts at Opera Nova have already been distributed – we are truly delighted that so many of you want to join us! On 11 August from 6:00 PM, we invite everyone to join us in front of Opera Nova for the Red Carpet and the official welcome of our Festival Guests. The Red Carpet has been a Vistula Sounds tradition since the very first edition – there will be music, Artists, Festival Guests and a wonderful international atmosphere. Don’t have a ticket? There may still be an opportunity to attend the concert. Immediately before the Opening Concert and the Gala Concert, we will check whether any seats remain available because some ticket holders have not attended the event. If seats become available, we will admit additional guests according to the number of available places.
There may also be available seats for the Gala Concert. From our experience, we know that some people who collected tickets in advance may ultimately not attend the event. Therefore, it is also worth coming to Opera Nova on 15 August and checking the availability of seats shortly before the concert.
Please also remember that all other Festival events are free of charge and open to the public – five days of music, competitions, meetings and events in Bydgoszcz and Solec Kujawski are ahead of us!
CAN’T JOIN US AT OPERA NOVA? JOIN US ONLINE! Both the Opening Concert on 11 August and the Gala Concert, which will also mark the official closing of the Festival on 15 August, will be STREAMED LIVE on the official Vistula Sounds YouTube channel. Join our Festival community and follow us on: Facebook • Instagram • TikTok • YouTube
Throughout the Festival, we will be sharing reports, photos, videos, concert highlights, behind-the-scenes moments and the latest Festival updates.
No matter where you are – join us and experience Vistula Sounds with us online! 11–15 August 2026, Bydgoszcz • Solec Kujawski. See you at Vistula Sounds – live and online! ✨
