XI Krystian Tkaczewski International Piano Competition
Busko-Zdrój
August 10 - 12, 2026
East Tennessee State University - Creative Arts Scholarship
Four-year scholarship (approx. 19, 000 USD a year, total - 76,000 USD)
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to cordially invite you to the 11th International Krystian Tkaczewski Piano Competition, which will take place from August 10 - 12, 2026.
The competition is organized by the Krystian Tkaczewski Foundation and the Connecticut Chopin Foundation. The Busko-Zdrój Municipal Cultural Center [Buskie Samorządowe Centrum Kultury] is a co-organizer of the event. Since 2024, the competition has been a member of the Alink-Argerich Foundation, an organization associating important piano competitions.
The Krystian Tkaczewski International Piano Competition will have been returning after many years to its place of provenance, the Busko-Zdrój Municipal Cultural Center [Buskie Samorządowe Centrum Kultury]. The 11th Krystian Tkaczewski International Piano Competition will be held in the beautiful auditorium of the Busko-Zdrój Municipal Cultural Center [Buskie Samorządowe Centrum Kultury].
From 2026 onwards, the competition will be inextricably linked to a new important musical event – the International Piano Festival "Musical World without Borders". The first edition of the festival will take place from August 8-16, 2026 at the Busko-Zdrój Municipal Cultural Center [Buskie Samorządowe Centrum Kultury].
At this point, I would like to thank the Mayor of the Miasto i Gmina Busko-Zdrój, Mr. Jerzy Szydłowski, for his trust and assistance in organizing both cultural events. I would also like to thank the management and staff of the Busko-Zdrój Municipal Cultural Cente [Buskie Samorządowe Centrum Kultury], and I look forward to fruitful and long-term cooperation. I am grateful for the long-standing support of RTV Euro AGD in Warsaw, and I thank them for supporting us during these difficult times. This company has been a patron of the Krystian Tkaczewski International Piano Competition in Busko-Zdrój since its first edition.
11th Krystian Tkaczewski International Piano Competition will be held in four age categories: up to 13 years old, up to 16 years old, up to 19 years old, and an open category with no age limit.
The jury will consist of outstanding pianists and professors: Krystian Tkaczewski (Poland/USA) - Chairman, Masahi Katayama (Japan), Dong Xuan (China), Hironao Suzuki (Japan), Maria Murawska (Poland), and Vovka Ashkenazy (Iceland).
The inaugural concert of the competition (and the festival) will take place on August 9, 2026, in the auditorium of the Busko-Zdrój Municipal Cultural Center. [Buskie Samorządowe Centrum Kultury]. The concert will feature solo performances by laureates of the Krystian Tkaczewski International Piano Competition in Busko-Zdrój and invited guests from Poland, Japan, China, Thailand, and the USA. Maestro Krystian Tkaczewski will perform at the end of the concert. All artists will be accompanied by the Tarnów Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Masahi Katayama (Japan).
The laureates' concert and awards ceremony will take place in the auditorium of the Busko-Zdrój Municipal Cultural Center [Buskie Samorządowe Centrum Kultury] on August 12, 2026.
I cordially invite you to this great musical event, which will be held regularly in Busko-Zdrój
Best wishes
Dr. Krystian Tkaczewski
Artistic Director
Krystian Tkaczewski International Piano Competition
"Musical World Without Borders" International Piano Festival in Busko-Zdrój