Over 5 days Ciechocinek in Poland became the international capital of music – all thanks to the Vistula Sounds. The “2^nd Vistula Sounds International Vocal Festival and Competition Ciechocinek. Kuyavia-Pomerania 2023" attracted over 100 soloists and ensembles from 17 countries such as Vietnam, Libya, Cuba, Armenia, and Israel, but also many European countries, including singers from Poland. It was an extraordinary, musical feast with two singing competitions during which the international judges listened to over 150 In addition, three concerts were held, three trips were organized to promote Ciechocinek and the Kuyavian and Pomeranian region, two international cultural exchange meetings were organized, as well as singing workshops conducted by international judges. The festival closed with the Gala Concert during which the Grand Prix winners were announced: Polina Pisartsova from Ukraine in the Polish Song Competition and Mirek Gotfryd from Poland in the International Song Competition. Special prizes were also awarded, including to the vocal ensemble "Vaja" from Lithuania which received the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship Voivode’s prize, Emma Hoang from Vietnam who received the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship Marshal’s prize, as well as Stefani Slavcheva from Bulgaria who won the prize awarded by the Mayor of Ciechocinek. Congratulations, thank you, and see you next year!

The “Summer Talent League” International Festival and Musical Competition was hosted once again at the Spanish resort of Lloret de Mar on 25-30 June 2023. The Polish delegation was represented by SSCE and accompanied by the Agency’s Artistic Director, Saribek Sargsyan, who was also invited to be one of the judges. Poland was represented by Marcelina Albrycht, who won the first place. Congratulations to the winner! Saribek Sargsyan delivered a special guest performance during the official concert of the Festival. The Festival was organized by ARS FESTA (managed by Asta Bagdonaviciene) who, in addition to the “Summer Talent League”, is responsible for three other major festivals-competitions: the “Music Talent League” and the “Christmas Talent League” in Vilnius and the "Palanga Talent League" in Palanga, Lithuania. The agency sets very high professional standards for all these events, and working with them is a pleasure. We hope you can join the upcoming ARS FESTA festivals.

Sar Sargsyan, the Armenian baritone singer resident in Poland, will give a recital entitled “Armenian Crane”. The event will take place on April 23, 2023 in the “Templum” concert hall in Łódź and will be part of the Łódź celebrations commemorating the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day (1915). In Armenian culture, the crane is a symbol of longing for the lost homeland, and a symbol of the Armenian diaspora – Armenians scattered around the world. Each year on April 24, the Armenian community around the world observes the anniversary of the extermination of their people. Marches commemorating the massacre of Armenians are organized both in Armenia and abroad, including Poland. The recital programme will include works by well-known and renowned Armenian composers. The piano accompaniment will be provided by Jakub Czech, a Łódź-based pianist, arranger, teacher, and conductor. The event is organized by the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Armenia in Łódź and “Nairi” – the Armenian Education and Cultural Centre.

Dear Friends, as promised, as of February 15, 2023 we are accepting applications for the “Vistula Sounds” International Vocal Festival & Competition (2nd edition) in Ciechocinek. Per the Festival Regulation, we will close accepting applications on May 1, 2023. All details concerning the Festival have been published in the “Vistula Sounds” tab of the SSCE Agency at www.ce.sarsargsyan.com ; you will find the application form there, too. All relevant information is available in Polish and English.

Another edition of the Christmas Talent League, an international music competition, was held on 7-8 January 2023 in Vilnius. Thanks to SSCE Poland was represented by 3 contestants who competed in different age and genre categories. Here are the results: Julia Markowska – 1^stprize, Kinga Linkiewicz – 1^stprize, the duo Kinga Linkiewicz and Paweł Jarocki – 2^ndprize. Congratulations to the winners! Wishing you continued success.

The artistic director of SSCE, Sar Sargsyan, was one of the judges of the competition in Vilnius.

The event was organized by Ars Festa and SSCE is the sole official representative of all ARS FESTA competitions. Sincere thanks to the organizers for the high quality of the event and top-notch professional organization. Thank you for a very warm welcome.

Dearest Friends, we are about to leave 2022. Many things have happened over the year in Sar’s artistic career, including performances, festivals, competitions, and recordings. The most prominent event of the year, however, was the initiation of the “Vistula Sounds” International Festival and Singing Competition in Ciechocinek – a dream come true for the founder and artistic director. To show the gratitude for the city, the local authorities and residents, Sar has come up with a New Year surprise – his own interpretation of the iconic Ciechocinek song, “Na deptaku w Ciechocinku” (or “Walking the Streets of Ciecocinek”). The song turned out to be a major challenge for Sar due to a distinct style adopted. All in all, we hope listening to it will be a pleasure to all those who cherish Ciechocinek and like Sar’s singing. According to the lyrics, one that laughs is not a sinner, but gets healthier and better. We are wishing you all much laughter and joy in 2023!

Lyrics by Tadeusz Stanisławski, music by Urszula Rzeczkowska, arrangements by Alexandra Maghakyan, mix and mastering by Stephan Berudzanyan; recording made at the “Spox music” studio in Warsaw; photograph by Michał Ignar.