🔴 Sam Kowalski is a solo project by Mateusz Kowalski – a Polish singer and multi-instrumentalist whose experience in folk music, both as a researcher and a performer, resonates powerfully in this interpretation of the stirring rhythm and melody of the oberek – the beloved dance of the Polish countryside. His album, which won the Fryderyk Chopin Institute’s Special Prize at the Polish Radio ‘Nowa Tradycja’ Festival (2024), is an exploration of a slower and more meditative approach to this ancient music, which is traditionally quite spirited, even feisty. Transposed from the violin to the guitalele (a miniature classical guitar) and accompanied by traditional verses, it is a minimalist and imagination-stirring invitation to a world of music which, fortunately, has not yet been forgotten.

🔵Kujawski Ansambl – a band formed by Wojciech Jachna and Marcin Karnowski to realise a special project: a musical story about Anna Jachnina. The main character of this unconventional radio play is an editor at the Polish Radio PIK (Pomerania and Kujawy). The aforementioned Anna Jachnina is also Wojciech Jachna’s grandmother. In the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, she made pioneering recordings of folk bands and singers from the regions of Kujawy, Pałuki and Kashubia. Drawing on these, she created around 300 radio plays. Known as ‘Kolberg in a skirt’, she began working in the folk music department in 1948. In 1950, on the initiative of Paweł Billert (head of the music department), the Bydgoszcz radio team set out on their first field recording trip. From 1951, she accompanied him. The album features songs from the songbook: ‘Folk Songs from Kujawy, Pałuki and Kashubia’. Anna Jachnina wrote the foreword to this book, and Paweł Billert arranged the melodies. These serve as a starting point for interpretation, creative exploration and new arrangements. The radio play is therefore both a story about an exceptional journalist and artist and an attempt to establish a dialogue between the past – tradition – and the present – a fresh perspective.

Kujawski Ansambl:
SVAHY – vocals
Michalove – vocals
Justyna Piernik – vocals
Piotr “Gary” Gwadera – drums, percussion
Ksawery Wójciński – double bass
Marcin Lorenc – violin
Jacek Cichocki – keyboards, accordion
Wojciech Jachna – trumpet, effects, production
Eva Lanche – dulcimer, handpan

FULL PROGRAMME FOR THE TAURON CULTURE FRIDAYS SERIES: CLICK

28 August, Ruins of the Victoria Theatre in Gliwice
6.00 pm – opening of the summer terrace with the Stary Kufel bar area
7.00 pm – Sam Kowalski
9.00 pm – Kujawski Ansambl
FREE ENTRY, places are limited – the maximum capacity at the Ruins is 300 people. No tickets are required and we do not take bookings.

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The event is organised by the City of Gliwice and the Victoria Cultural Centre.
TAURON is the title sponsor of the event.
The event is being held as part of the TAURON Gliwicka Energia Kultury project.
Partners: Silesian Metropolitan Network, Hotel Qubus Gliwice

 

🔴 Simona De Rosa & Confusion Project

The outstanding Italian jazz vocalist, Simona De Rosa, is joining the Polish jazz trio Confusion Project to present material from their new, jointly written and recorded album, *Feathers*. On stage, the artists will present a fresh and inventive fusion of jazz and ethnic music, drawing on the folklore of Simona’s homeland – Naples – as well as folk music from Spain, China, Kazakhstan, Latin America, the Balkans and Lebanon, all presented in the modern style characteristic of Confusion Project. The choice of these cultures as a source of inspiration is the result of in-depth research, as well as the artist’s own personal memories; she has visited – and continues to visit – the farthest corners of the globe to explore and study the beauty of folklore from around the world. The artists have been collaborating for some time now. Simona met Michał Ciesielski, the leader of Confusion Project, in China in 2018, and they have been working together regularly ever since. Confusion Project accompanied Simona on two tours of Poland (in 2023 and 2025), concerts in Germany and Italy, and a tour of China in 2024.

Simona De Rosa – an Italian singer, composer and teacher, originally from Naples. She graduated with distinction with a Master’s degree from Queens College in New York. For many years, she was an active performer on the New York jazz scene and made a significant contribution to the development of Italian culture in New York. Following an artist-in-residence programme in Hanoi, Vietnam, in 2018, she moved to China, where, from 2018 to 2022, she was a lecturer at the Beijing Contemporary Music Academy and an active performer on the Chinese jazz scene. Upon her return to Europe, she settled in Berlin, whilst also teaching jazz vocals in Trieste, Italy, and performing actively across Europe and beyond. In the autumn of 2024, she undertook a month-long residency in Almaty, Kazakhstan. For several years now, alongside her jazz singing, she has been exploring the folk music of both her homeland and distant corners of the globe. On her previous album – *Djenub* – you can hear folk melodies from Naples, as well as folk songs from Vietnam and China. On her latest album, this theme of folklore-inspired music continues, as you will discover during the concert in Gliwice.

Confusion Project is a trio blending jazz, prog-jazz and jazz fusion, formed in 2013 in Gdańsk. Since then, the band has recorded six studio albums and two live albums, performed several hundred concerts in Poland and abroad (Lithuania, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, China, Russia, Kazakhstan), and has established several fruitful musical collaborations with leading musicians from the Polish and international jazz scenes. Over the course of 13 years, the band has developed its own unique musical language which, as the musicians themselves say, is their way of telling stories. A distinctive feature of Confusion Project’s music is its illustrative, programmatic dimension. Consequently, alongside influences from jazz, progressive rock, drum & bass and classical music, Confusion Project’s style also reveals clear inspirations drawn from film music. On their latest album, recorded with Simona De Rosa, these aspects are further interwoven with elements of folk music, giving the record a unique atmosphere.

Line-up:
Simona De Rosa – vocals
Michał Ciesielski – piano
Piotr Gierszewski – bass
Adam Golicki – drums

Simon De Rosa & Confusion Project playlist – CLICK

🔵Maciek Pysz featuring Daniele di Bonaventura & Yuri Goloubev

Following the enthusiastically received release of his album *Pont de Vie*, guitarist and composer Maciek Pysz returns with a new trio, formed in collaboration with two leading figures on the European jazz scene – Daniele di Bonaventura and Yuri Goloubev.

This is a unique collaboration between three internationally renowned artists, united by a passion for melody, subtle improvisation and musical storytelling that transcends stylistic boundaries. The band’s music draws inspiration from jazz, classical music, folk and the Mediterranean musical tradition. Maciek Pysz’s original compositions serve as the starting point for a sensitive dialogue between the guitar, bandoneon and double bass. The trio’s sound is characterised by its intimate quality, spaciousness and extraordinary attention to nuance, making every concert a unique experience.

The album *Pont de Vie* is the result of many years of musical and personal encounters. Its title – ‘Bridge of Life’ – symbolises the connections that form between people, cultures and experiences. These ideas are also reflected on stage, where the musicians create a cohesive narrative based on mutual listening, trust and creative freedom. Their interpretations unfold organically, guiding the listener through landscapes full of lyricism, emotion and subtle beauty.

Maciek Pysz has for many years been one of the most highly regarded Polish jazz guitarists active on the international scene. His projects and recordings have won acclaim from critics and audiences in Europe and beyond. Italian bandoneon virtuoso Daniele di Bonaventura brings to the band’s music the distinctive, deeply emotional sound of an instrument associated with both the tango tradition and contemporary improvised music. Yuri Goloubev, one of the most sought-after double bassists on the European jazz scene, lends the whole ensemble exceptional depth, elegance and rhythmic freedom.

The trio’s concert is a coming together of three artistic personalities who, together, create music full of sincerity, imagination and space. It is an offering for listeners seeking the beauty hidden in simplicity, emotions expressed without haste, and sounds that linger in the memory long after the final note has faded.

Line-up:
Maciek Pysz – guitar
, Daniele di Bonaventura – bandoneon
, Yuri Goloubev – double bass

21 August, Victoria Theatre Ruins, Gliwice
6.00 pm – opening of the summer terrace with the Stary Kufel bar area
7.00 pm – Simona De Rosa & Confusion Project
9.00 pm – Maciek Pysz feat. Daniele di Bonaventura & Yuri Goloubev
FREE ENTRY, places are limited – the maximum capacity at the Ruins is 300 people. No tickets are required and we do not take bookings.

FULL PROGRAMME FOR THE TAURON CULTURE FRIDAYS SERIES: CLICK

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The event is organised by the City of Gliwice and the Victoria Cultural Centre.
TAURON is the title sponsor of the event.
The event is being held as part of the TAURON Gliwicka Energia Kultury project.
Partners: Silesian Metropolitan Network, Hotel Qubus Gliwice

🔴KOSMA KRÓL – a double winner at the Popkillery 2026 awards – won the awards for ‘Prog of the Year’ and ‘Alternative Album of the Year’ alongside producer Kacper Kania. In March 2026, he played his biggest solo gig at the Oczki club, entitled “Widowisko”, which had sold out a month in advance. His passion for music is rooted in freestyle.

In 2025, he released two albums – “Polot” and “kino femina” with Kuba Więcek. 2025 was a successful year – he played at Open’er, Chałupy 6 and Bittersweet. In 2025, he also sold out his first solo tour across six cities in Poland – ROJOWISKO. He made a guest appearance at the “Polskie Konstelacje” concert in Japan, conducted by Radzimir Dębski (JIMKA).

2026 is shaping up to be a busy year – the rapper is set to perform at Wrosound, Scena nad Rusałką, several of the biggest student festivals, Rap Stacja and 3ERA, amongst others.

14 August, Ruins of the Victoria Theatre in Gliwice
6.00 pm – opening of the summer terrace with the Stary Kufel bar area
7.00 pm – start of the event
FREE ENTRY, places are limited – the maximum number of attendees permitted at the Ruins is 300. No tickets are required and we do not take bookings.

FULL PROGRAMME FOR THE TAURON CULTURE FRIDAYS SERIES: CLICK

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The event is organised by the City of Gliwice and the Victoria Cultural Centre.
TAURON is the title sponsor of the event.
The event is being held as part of the TAURON Gliwicka Energia Kultury project.
Partners: Silesian Metropolitan Network, Hotel Qubus Gliwice

🔴 Maniuch and Ksawery in concert 

Maniucha and Ksawery represent a dialogue between two musical worlds that find a common language in tradition and improvisation. The foundation of their work lies in the songs of Polesia – stories passed down through generations about the rhythms of nature, everyday life, love, work and rituals. This material stems from Maniucha’s many years of field research, during which she documented the singing and memories of the oldest women in Ukrainian villages, whilst also drawing on archival records from the Polish-Ukrainian borderland. The duo’s repertoire includes spring songs, harvest songs, wedding songs, love songs, beggars’ songs, Christmas carols and lullabies. Taken together, they form a musical narrative about the cyclical nature of human life and the natural world. Maniucha Bikont and Ksawery Wójciński are winners of the ‘True Musicians’ Competition and the Czesław Niemen Special Prize at the Polish Radio ‘Nowa Tradycja’ Festival. Their debut album, *Oj borom, borom*, reinterprets archaic songs from western Polesia, blending tradition with the contemporary language of improvised music.

🔵 Discussion: ‘Silesia through the eyes of its residents’

How does the younger generation view Upper Silesia today? Are industry and mining still an important part of the region’s identity? What does the future hold for the Silesian dialect, and how can we rediscover Silesia? During the meeting, we will discuss the region’s contemporary face, the changes it has undergone, and the places which – though often overlooked in everyday life – shape its unique character. Miners’ houses, slag heaps, mine shafts and post-industrial landscapes will serve as a starting point for a discussion on memory, identity and the future of Upper Silesia. The discussion will feature Mateusz Ledwig (Roobens from Bytom) – an online content creator who promotes Silesian culture and dialect, Kamil Nowak and Zuzanna Czyż – the presenters of the programme ‘Mikrokosmosy’ broadcast on TVP Katowice, dedicated to exploring the region’s extraordinary places and history. The event will be moderated by Kamil Iwanicki, author of the books *Familoki. Silesian Microcosms* and *The Silesia That Isn’t There*, who is affiliated with the Victoria Cultural Centre. The discussion will provide an opportunity to talk about contemporary Silesian identity, local heritage and new ways of telling the region’s story.

 7 August, Ruins of the Victoria Theatre in Gliwice
6.00 pm – opening of the summer terrace with the Stary Kufel bar area
7.00 pm – Concert by Maniuch and Ksawery
8.30 pm – Discussion: ‘Silesia through the eyes of its residents’
The event is part of the Festival of Cultures
. FREE ENTRY, but places are limited – the maximum number of participants allowed at the Ruins is 300. No tickets are required and we do not take bookings.

FULL PROGRAMME FOR THE TAURON CULTURE FRIDAYS SERIES: CLICK

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The event is organised by the City of Gliwice and the Victoria Cultural Centre.
TAURON is the title sponsor of the event.
The event is being held as part of the TAURON Gliwicka Energia Kultury project.
Partners: Silesian Metropolitan Network, Hotel Qubus Gliwice

A fusion of electronic music, a choir and an orchestra. All of this is complemented by specially designed visuals.

Current and former pupils of the Ludomir Różycki State Music School in Gliwice will join forces to perform the following programme:
– The soundtrack from the TV series ‘Euphoria’,
– Original compositions by Jan Wójcik,
– TESSERACTS (LIVE) – Original music by Filip and Franciszek Dzwonowski, performed with the orchestra.

 The ruins of the Victoria Theatre in Gliwice
, 6.00 pm – opening of the summer terrace with the Stary Kufel
bar area 7.00 pm – start of the event
FREE ENTRY, places are limited – the maximum number of attendees permitted in the Ruins is 300. No tickets are required and we do not take bookings.

FULL PROGRAMME FOR THE TAURON CULTURE FRIDAYS SERIES: CLICK

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The event is organised by the City of Gliwice and the Victoria
Cultural Centre. TAURON is the title sponsor of the event.
The event is being held as part of the TAURON Gliwicka Energia Kultury project.
Partners: Silesian Metropolitan Network, Hotel Qubus Gliwice

The Silesian University of Technology Symphony Orchestra, based in Gliwice, was founded on 13 February 2023. It is an organisation bringing together students, PhD students, graduates and staff of the university, as well as musicians from other universities in the Silesian region. The ensemble evolved from informal musical gatherings that have been taking place since 2022, quickly developing into a full-fledged symphony orchestra.

The orchestra’s development was directly linked to the rapid expansion of its instrumental line-up. From its initial line-up, it grew to around 40 members in 2023 and now stands at 69 members. This growth was accompanied by a systematic expansion of the repertoire to include classical, film, light, festive and choral-orchestral works.

The orchestra is conducted by Miłosz Korpol, and Daria Kałużyńska serves as its chairperson. Further information about the orchestra’s activities can be found at https://orkiestrapolsl.pl/ 

The ‘FROM CLASSICAL TO ENTERTAINMENT’ concert, featuring, amongst others:

 F. Schubert – Unfinished Symphony in B minor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onyN4VcqoQs…

 Manuel de Falla – Danza ritual del Fuego
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qbx5i4A_XMc…

 Marquez – Danzon No. 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1ynC1RB3kY…

 J. Kender – Suite from the musical *Chicago*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSo5Owb5n18…

 The ruins of the Victoria Theatre in Gliwice
, 10 July
, 6.00 pm – opening of the summer terrace with the Stary Kufel
bar area at 7.00 pm – start of the event
FREE ENTRY, places are limited – the maximum number of attendees permitted in the Ruins is 300. No tickets are required and we do not take bookings.

FULL PROGRAMME FOR THE TAURON CULTURE FRIDAYS SERIES – CLICK

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The event is organised by the City of Gliwice and the Victoria
Cultural Centre. TAURON is the title sponsor of the event.
The event is being held as part of the TAURON Gliwicka Energia Kultury project.
Partners: Silesian Metropolitan Network, Hotel Qubus Gliwice

At the special request of the Victoria Cultural Centre (), the Tri-City band Immortal Onion composed an original soundtrack for Dziga Vertov’s masterpiece of silent cinema, *Man with a Movie Camera*

IMMORTAL ONION

It is difficult to pigeonhole the music of the Tri-City band Immortal Onion into a single genre. The musicians draw their inspiration in equal measure from modern jazz, electronic music, math-rock, fusion and minimalism. The trio have released four albums and performed numerous concerts in Poland and abroad.
Bassist Ziemowit Klimek can often be found performing as a sideman alongside Hania Rani. Immortal Onion is considered part of the new wave of Polish jazz – a wave of bands that are not afraid of challenges, breaking down genre and artistic boundaries.

THE MAN WITH THE CINEMA CAMERA (1929)

directed by – Dziga Vertov

This is one of the most important and experimental films in the history of cinema. This silent documentary breaks with traditional narrative and actors, becoming a manifesto for the ‘kino-eye’ theory, in which the camera’s eye is regarded as superior to the human eye. The film contains no scenes with dialogue – the main protagonist is the cameraman himself (Mikhail Kaufman, Vertov’s brother), who captures everyday life and the city in constant motion. The film is a portrait of a day in Soviet metropolises (Moscow, Kyiv, Odessa), depicting everyday life, work, leisure and the clash between nature and industrialisation and machinery. The greatest strength of *Man with a Movie Camera* is its editing, which was groundbreaking for its time (the director’s wife, Yelizaveta Svilova, was responsible for the editing). She employed pioneering techniques such as time-lapse photography, time-lapse sequences, double exposure, freeze-frames and image superimposition.

The ruins of the Victoria Theatre in Gliwice
, 3 July 2026
6.00 pm – opening of the summer terrace with the Stary Kufel
bar area 7.00 pm – start of the event

FREE ENTRY, places are limited – the maximum number of participants allowed in the Ruins is 300. No tickets are required and we do not take bookings.

FULL PROGRAMME FOR THE TAURON CULTURE FRIDAYS SERIES – CLICK

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The event is organised by the City of Gliwice and the Victoria
Cultural Centre. TAURON is the title sponsor of the event.
The event is being held as part of the TAURON Gliwicka Energia Kultury project.
Partners: Silesian Metropolitan Network, Hotel Qubus Gliwice

SUMMER HOLIDAY FRIDAYS – starts at 7.00 pm

one hour before the opening of the summer terrace

Friday? Let’s do it with class!

TAURON Culture Fridays is a series of events taking place at the Ruins of the Victoria Theatre throughout the summer holidays. A packed programme of concerts, performances and artistic gatherings awaits visitors. Each event begins at 7.00 pm, whilst the summer terrace, complete with a bar and sun loungers, opens an hour earlier.

JULY PROGRAMME:

 3 July – IMMORTAL ONION performs the soundtrack for the film *Man with a Movie Camera* – Screening of Dziga Vertov’s film (1929) with live music by the band – as part of TAURON GLIWICE POINT OF VIEW (3–5 July);

 10 July – Silesian University of Technology Symphony Orchestra – ‘From Classical to Popular’ concert;

 17 July – A Good Evening with Bogusław Ziębowicz’s Vinyl Record; ‘TERAZ KOBIETY’ (featuring, amongst others, Stevie Nicks, Lisa Gerrard and Grace Jones);

 24 July – ‘Tancarville’ by Le G. Bistaki (France) – Polish premiere of the show – as part of the 19th ‘Ulicznicy’ International Street Artists’ Festival;

 31 July – TESSERACTS x JANVO – A concert of electronic music with a symphony orchestra;

THE AUGUST PROGRAMME WILL BE PUBLISHED SHORTLY. We encourage you to keep an eye out for it.

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The event is organised by the City of Gliwice and the Victoria Cultural Centre.

TAURON is the title sponsor of the event.

The event is being organised as part of the TAURON Gliwicka Energia Kultury project.

Partners: Silesian Metropolitan Network, Qubus Hotel Gliwice

Ghosts in the Ruins

“Ghosts in the Ruins” is an evening tour of the ruins of the Victoria Theatre in Gliwice, combined with short theatrical scenes. Participants will uncover the secrets of the former cultural and entertainment complex, learning about the building’s history from the 19th century to the present day. Actors will take on the roles of figures associated with the site and the city, and the walk will combine a historical narrative with a theatrical guided tour within the authentic setting of the Ruins. 

Venue:

The ruins of the Victoria Theatre in Gliwice are all that remains of the former municipal theatre from the late 19th century. The complex served various purposes – it housed a theatre, a café, a hotel, baths, a music school, and in later years, among other things, a car showroom. Destroyed during the Second World War, the building remained abandoned for years, before becoming a venue for cultural events again from the 1990s onwards. Today, the Ruins are one of the most distinctive and recognisable landmarks in Gliwice.

Date: 26 June 2026

Time: 6.00–7.00 pm | 7.30–8.30 pm | 9.00–10.00 pm

Tour: ‘Ghosts in the Ruins’ is an evening tour of the Victoria Theatre Ruins combined with short theatrical scenes.

Starting point: The ruins of the Victoria Theatre, 18 Aleja Przyjaźni, Gliwice

Guide:

Kamil Iwanicki — a Silesianist, city guide and promoter of knowledge about the region, associated with the Victoria Cultural Centre, author of the “Familoki” project, “Gliwice Map of Secrets” and books on the heritage of Upper Silesia, in which he recounts the history of workers’ housing estates, remembrance and the region’s transformations.

The Trajektoria Theatre is an experimental performance theatre based in Katowice, combining physical theatre, live music and improvisation, created by artists from Upper Silesia who are exploring new forms of theatrical expression.

Further information:

Due to the nature of the ruins (uneven ground, steps), the tour may be difficult for people with mobility impairments. Suitable for seniors and young people aged 10 and over. Stroboscopic lights will be used during the event.  

Booking: All places are fully booked.

One of the most interesting and distinctive vocalists on the Polish jazz scene returns with her latest project, “Ja tu tylko śpiewam” – a concert based on new material from her latest album, released in 2025 by SJRecords. This is a unique opportunity to hear this repertoire live in its energetic concert setting. “Ja tu tylko śpiewam” is a musical story with many shades – from the subtle and lyrical to the groovy and expressive. Jazz roots intertwine here with blues, soul, R&B, funk and Latin influences, creating a cohesive, modern and highly communicative whole. Beata Przybytek’s original compositions were written to lyrics by outstanding wordsmiths such as Andrzej Poniedzielski, Jan Wołek, Grzegorz Wasowski, Wojciech Byrski and Dariusz Dusza. This gives the concert an extra dimension – it is not just music, but also a story in which words and sound are equal protagonists. The programme will include, among others, the piece ‘Trzy zmiany’ (Three Changes), which won the Grand Prix at the ‘Kryształowy Kamerton’ Festival. Beata Przybytek is an artist with a unique stage presence and a distinctive, deep voice – low, expressive and incredibly evocative. A winner of numerous awards, she was recently honoured in the Jazz Forum magazine readers’ poll JAZZ TOP 2025, where she took second place in the Jazz Vocalist of the Year category. For years she has been delighting audiences in Poland and abroad, collaborating with the most outstanding jazz musicians. The concert in the extraordinary setting of the Ruins of the Victoria Theatre in Gliwice will lend this event a unique atmosphere – the industrial, historic scenery will meet music full of emotion, subtlety and artistic class.

• Beata Przybytek – vocals
• Andrzej Gondek – guitar
• Bogusław Kaczmar – keyboards
• Adam Kowalewski – bass
• Tomasz Machański – drums

This concert promotes the new album and is also an invitation to all those who seek authenticity, emotion and the highest standard of performance in music. An evening that moves the soul and lingers in the memory for a long time.

Tickets cost 88 zł until 6 June or while the first batch lasts. After that, they cost 108 zł.

The concert is organised by the Śląski Jazz Club Music Association in collaboration with CK Victoria and the City of Gliwice.