The International Festival 7th NIGHT OF CHOIRS in Ruda Śląska

 

30 May 2026, Ruda Śląska–Nowy Bytom, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

22 choirs | 12 locations | over 40 concerts

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Festival nominated for the “Music Rights” Award of the International Music Council 2025

 

Event awarded the quality label “Remarkable Arts Festival” 2026–2027 by the European Festivals Association

 

Recommendation of the Consultative Council – Katowice GZM Polish Capital of Culture 2027

 

As soon as night falls, the city will once again vibrate with hundreds of voices in keeping with the festival’s guiding theme – MUSIC FOR ALL! This extraordinary event will once again bring together art and education and integrate the community, proving that singing is a universal language accessible to everyone.

 

As always, just like every year, singing will once again resound where everyday life unfolds, creating a unique atmosphere of closeness and community – because NIGHT OF CHOIRS is distinguished by its unique formula of a musical walk. As they wander through Nowy Bytom, the audience and the artists will meet in places important to the City, as well as in those less obvious yet full of character: in the town square, in the Church, in the parish garden and the one by Kindergarten No. 17, in the concert hall of the Primary and Secondary Music School Complex and in the parking lot behind the school with a view of the workers’ housing estates. The choirs will also sing in the municipal park, at the Florianka villa, in the TuLisMaNore restaurant, in Heart Attack No. 4, by the Great Furnace of Pokój Steelworks and in the allotment gardens. Traditionally, the festival will also include special concerts at Stacja Biblioteka (district: Chebzie). The diversity of locations will be reflected in the repertoire – from early songs, through contemporary compositions, to jazz improvisations and sacred music, which will be performed during the festival by children’s, youth and adult ensembles – including equal-voice and mixed choirs, as well as senior choirs. Particularly significant will also be the presence of the improvising Csíkszerda Kórus from Hungary (founders of the “mother festival” Night of Choirs in Budapest) as well as the Seeing Voices Choir performing choral music in Polish Sign Language.

 

Interaction with the audience

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Because NIGHT OF CHOIRS is not only about listening, but also about creating together, we invite all festival participants to: intergenerational choral workshops led by Aleksandra Borowiecka – DyryAgentka, and open ensemble singing workshops based on folk songs, led by the Festival’s Artistic Director – Dr Krzysztof Dudzik. By design, the festival is meant to connect intangible heritage – collective singing – with the tangible heritage visible in the post-industrial landscape of Ruda Śląska. Therefore, we also invite everyone to take part in the cultural walk “Nowy Bytom plays and hums,” led by Adam Kowalski from the TuRuda Association. The festival finale will be a gathering of all participants during the “Singing Market Square,” where at 10:00 p.m. the jointly performed “Song of the Night of Choirs” will resound. Night of Choirs is an open space – without barriers, without divisions, with respect for diversity. Once again, it will bring people together through voice, emotions and shared experience… sometimes even unexpectedly, as in addition to the concert schedule, the ensembles also prepare spontaneous happenings and vocal flash mobs.

 

Organizers and partners

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The festival is organized by the Silesian Association of Choirs and Orchestras in cooperation with the “Chórtownia” Foundation and the “Artifices Artificibus” Association.

 

The honorary patronage of the event has been assumed by: Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka, Minister of Culture and National Heritage Marta Cienkowska, Member of Parliament Urszula Koszutska, Member of Parliament Monika Rosa, Senator Halina Bieda, Senator Gabriela Morawska-Stanecka, Silesian Voivode Marek Wójcik, Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship Wojciech Saługa, and the Mayor of the City of Ruda Śląska Michał Pierończyk.

 

Media patrons: TVP 3 Katowice, TVS, ŚLĄZAG Portal, Kultura i Sztuka Portal, Polmic.pl Portal, Radio Piekary, Radio Tychy, Polish Radio Katowice, Radio eM, Dziennik Zachodni, Gość Niedzielny, Wiadomości Rudzkie, Śpiewak Śląski.

 

Partners: Csíkszerda Kórus, Tramwaje Śląskie S.A., Primary and Secondary Music School Complex in Ruda Śląska, Stacja Biblioteka, MGSM Perspektywa, MOSIR, Alter Barwny Świat Integrative Kindergarten and Nursery, ROD Szarotka, GoMix, TuLisMaNore, TuRuda Association, Nereusz Youth Club, INNI Association for Unconventional Initiatives,

 

The event is sponsored by: Śląsko Pajda and KUŚ Enterprise.

 

The festival received financial support from the budget of the City of Ruda Śląska.

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