17th International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition
14.09.2026
In October 2026, the 17th International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition will take place - one of Poland's most important musical events and the oldest existing violin competition in the world. For more than two weeks, Poznań will become a meeting place for the most outstanding young violin talents from around the globe.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a partner of the Competition, incorporating its international character into efforts to promote Polish culture abroad. The Minister of Foreign Affairs has also assumed honorary patronage of the Competition’s final gala in Warsaw, as well as the 17th Wieniawski Competition winner’s tour of European cities in 2026–2027.
A Competition of Worldwide Renown.
The International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition was first held in 1935. Today, it is one of the world’s most prestigious violin competitions and one of Poland’s most important cultural brands. Young violinists representing countries from almost every continent come to Poznań to compete.
The scale of this year’s event is reflected in the numbers: 252 applications from 36 countries and 4 continents were submitted for the 17th edition, with 50 violinists ultimately qualifying to participate in the Competition.
More Wieniawski, More Polish Music.
This year’s repertoire will place particular emphasis on Polish music. Participants will perform works by composers including Grażyna Bacewicz, Karol Lipiński, Witold Lutosławski, Romuald Twardowski, Władysław Żeleński and Zygmunt Stojowski. The programme will also feature works by composers such as Béla Bartók, Edvard Grieg, Antonín Dvořák, Ludwig van Beethoven and Robert Schumann.
The music of the Competition’s namesake will provide a framework for the entire event. The first stage will be devoted to the works of Henryk Wieniawski, while in the final round participants will perform one of his two violin concertos – Violin Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp minor, Op. 14, or Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 22.
From the Opening Concert to the Final.
The Competition will open on 8 October with an inaugural concert at the Adam Mickiewicz University Auditorium in Poznań. The evening’s star will be the outstanding South Korean cellist Taeyeon Kim, a laureate of prestigious international competitions.
The competition auditions will take place from 9–22 October, followed by a series of laureates’ concerts:
- 23 October – Gala and First Laureates’ Concert, Poznań,
- 24 October – Second Laureates’ Concert, Poznań,
- 25 October – Third Laureates’ Concert, Warsaw.
The auditions and concerts in Poznań will be held at the Adam Mickiewicz University Auditorium, while the final laureates’ concert in Warsaw will take place at the National Philharmonic.
Polish Culture – Music Without Borders.
The Wieniawski Competition is not only a prestigious artistic competition, but also an important platform for the international promotion of Polish culture. The music of Henryk Wieniawski, one of Poland’s greatest violin virtuosos, has been performed on concert stages around the world for more than a century. His legacy remains an important part of the global violin repertoire.
The Competition’s international character provides an opportunity to present Polish music to audiences around the world, while giving young artists a chance to launch international careers.
From Poznań to the World’s Stages.
For the Competition’s laureates, victory is only the beginning of their further artistic journey. In 2027, the 17th edition Laureates’ Tour will include venues such as the Berlin Philharmonie, the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Sala São Paulo and the National Concert Hall Taipei.
It is precisely this international dimension – the opportunity for young artists to showcase their talent on the most important stages in Europe and around the world – that makes the Wieniawski Competition an important event not only for the musical community, but also for the promotion of Poland and its cultural heritage.
Follow the Competition Online.
The 17th Competition can also be followed online. The organisers have announced regular coverage on social media, as well as live broadcasts of the auditions on the official “Wieniawski Society” YouTube channel.
We invite you to join us in experiencing this exceptional celebration of music – in Poznań, Warsaw and online.
8–25 October 2026 | Poznań and Warsaw