Polish pianist Izabela Darska, who lives in Hungary, was among the winners of the Pro Cultura Minoritatum Hungariae awards, which are given in recognition of merits for nationalities living in Hungary.
As announced at Monday’s award ceremony, Darska was honoured in recognition of her services in nurturing the works of Fryderyk Chopin and for her work as a music teacher.
The Gyoergy Ferenczy Foundation, founded by Darska, organises international Chopin competitions for young people in various age groups in Hungary, as well as concerts, primarily of the winners of its competitions, both in Hungary and Poland.
“I am very honoured to have been given this award. I will pick it up at a later date as I am still abroad today,” Darska said.
She announced that she had been organizing two types of Chopin competitions in Hungary since 2004.
“One started immediately as an international and is held every two years. Last year was the first time it was not organized because of the pandemic. This is a competition for students up to the age of 35. The second competition began its life as a national one, but then expanded, first to the area of so-called Greater Hungary, and then to further countries. Elementary and high school students take part in it,” the pianist said.
She added that this year she is holding another competition for school children in November. “I’m hoping to make it live,” she said.
The award ceremony, which was held in a limited circle due to the coronavirus pandemic, was attended, among others, by Maria Felfoeldi, president of the Polish self-government in Hungary.