During the final gala of the 19th Chopin Competition in Warsaw, President Karol Nawrocki took the stage — visibly emotional.
“I’m not ready to share my feelings,” he admitted, congratulating the laureates on behalf of the entire nation.
The evening culminated with the long-awaited jury verdict: the gold medal went to American pianist Eric Lu, who, a decade after first captivating Warsaw, once again enchanted the audience.
Competition Concluded in Warsaw
The 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition — one of the world’s most prestigious musical events — has come to a close in Warsaw.
The final round, held from Saturday through Monday, featured eleven pianists from seven countries.
The jury’s announcement filled the National Philharmonic Hall with emotion, pride, and heartfelt tears.
Jury chairman Garrick Ohlsson emphasized the difficulty of the decision just before the results were revealed:
“The discussion was very lively. In the end, we managed to overcome all obstacles and achieved excellent results,”
he said.
The results were announced by Dr. Artur Szklener, director of the competition and of the Fryderyk Chopin Institute.
- 🥇 1st Prize & Gold Medal: Eric Lu (USA)
- 🥈 2nd Prize: Kevin Chen (Canada)
- 🥉 3rd Prize: Zitong Wang (China)
- 4th Prize (ex aequo): Tianyao Lyu (China) & Shiori Kuwahara (Japan)
- 5th Prize: Piotr Alexewicz (Poland) & Vincent Ong (Malaysia)
- 6th Prize: William Yang (USA)
The remaining finalists — David Khrikuli (Georgia), Miyu Shindo (Japan), and Tianyou Li (China) — received special distinctions funded by the Fryderyk Chopin Institute.
“A Dream Come True” — The Winner’s Emotions
Immediately after the announcement, Eric Lu, who ten years earlier had won the 4th prize in the 17th edition, was visibly moved as he accepted the top award.
“This is a dream come true. I’m deeply touched,”
he said right after the ceremony.
He thanked both the jurors and the audience:
“Thank you to the jury for honoring me with this award, and thank you to all Chopin lovers around the world.”
President Nawrocki on the Great Meaning of the Chopin Competition
The emotional high point of the evening came when President Karol Nawrocki personally presented the gold medal to Eric Lu. The head of state began his speech with heartfelt candor:
“Now, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the officials to come on stage and, in just a few words, try to describe what they felt in their hearts. But such feelings cannot be expressed in ordinary words.
I followed the competition with great interest, but honestly — I’m not ready to share my emotions. So I stand before you mainly to offer congratulations and, on behalf of the entire Polish nation — to say thank you.”
President Nawrocki went on to reflect on Chopin’s legacy and its enduring place in Polish culture:
“For Poland, Fryderyk Chopin is not only a musical virtuoso but also, in essence, a historical figure — one of immense importance to both past and present Poland. A cultural diplomat who carried Poland in his heart, even while in exile.”
He also recalled the origins and centennial tradition of the Chopin Competition:
“When the first Chopin Competition was held in 1927, my great predecessor, Professor Ignacy Mościcki, then President of Poland, had no doubt that it should be under the patronage of the President of the Republic.
Poland, reborn after more than 120 years of partitions, needed Chopin deeply.
In just two years, we will celebrate the competition’s 100th anniversary — an unbroken tradition, save for the years of World War II, when the German occupiers forbade Chopin’s music, enforcing that ban ruthlessly.”
Finally, the President highlighted the competition’s immense global reach in the digital age:
“I’m glad this competition also thrives in the digital world. It shows that for Poland, for Chopin, and for young artists — there is still so much ahead.
he concluded.
Though I say ‘young’ with some hesitation, because when I see their artistry, it’s hard to believe they are young at all,”
#NaŻywo | Wystąpienie Prezydenta RP podczas Koncertu Laureatów XIX Międzynarodowego Konkursu Pianistycznego im. Fryderyka Chopina.[Sygnał udostępniony przez TVP] https://t.co/2geUL1D12e
— Kancelaria Prezydenta RP (@prezydentpl) October 21, 2025