Jubilee full of passion and tradition -150th anniversary of the “Lutnia” Singing Society

150 years of “Lutnia” and 20 years under the baton of Katarzyna Swinarska. A Jubilee That Connects Generations There are stories that are best told by music. You don't need big words for them, because their meaning is built up by years of singing together, meeting, working and attachment to the local. Such a history has been created for a century and a half by the Zygmunt Cichocki “Lutnia” Singing Society in Kościan. On October 10, 2026, a jubilee concert will take place at the Kościański Cultural Center, during which we will celebrate together the 150th anniversary of the choir and the 20th anniversary of the conducting of Katarzyna Swinarska.

The history of “Lutnia” began on January 20, 1876, when the Industrial Society in Kościan established the Singing Society. At the time of the Partitions, singing together was more than an artistic activity. It was a way of nurturing Polish culture and language, as well as building community around values that were of particular importance for subsequent generations. This idea survived even the most difficult moments. During the Second World War and the Nazi occupation “Lutnia” continued to operate in the underground. Since 1952, the choir has been working at the County Craft and Entrepreneurship Guild in Kościan, constantly developing its musical tradition.

An important figure in the history of the ensemble is Zygmunt Cichocki, who assumed the role of conductor in 1960 and whose name the choir bears today in its patronage. The following years brought new experiences, artistic challenges and meetings, thanks to which “Lutnia” became a permanent part of the cultural landscape of Kościan. Her activities go far beyond regular rehearsals and concerts. The Choir organises and co-creates events that engage residents and the music community, including “Choral Meetings”, the festival “Lovers in Surzyński”, “Wspólne Kościaniak Singing” or “Choral Market”. He cooperates with cultural institutions, music schools, local governments and choirs from Wielkopolska, cultivating choral music and creating a space for joint action.

This year's jubilee will also be an opportunity to honor Katarzyna Swinarska, who has been conducting “Lutnia” as a conductor for 20 years. However, her ties with the band date back much earlier. Since 1989, she has worked with the choir as an accompanist and chorister, getting to know it from the inside - not only through the prism of music, but also people, their commitment and work together. In 2006, she assumed the role of conductor, beginning another important chapter in the history of the band.

Katarzyna Swinarska is a graduate of the Academy of Music in Poznań at the Faculty of Music Education and Choral Conducting. As a musician, piano teacher and conductor, she combines artistic experience with educational and organizational activities. Under her direction, “Lutnia” won gold, silver and bronze bands during choral reviews organized by the Polish Association of Choirs and Orchestra in Leszno. Together with the ensemble, she was also honored with the Władysław Reymont Award and the statuette “Kościan Dziekuje”. Swinarska is also one of the initiators and organizers of the festival “In Love with Surzyński” and “The Common Kościaniak Singing” festival, and she also develops her activity in the National Association “With Music for People”.

The achievements of “Lutni” are not only concerts and awards, but above all people who have devoted their time to creating music together over the years. They are the next generations of choristers, friends of the band and people who supported its activities, making sure that the tradition does not become just a memory. Among the numerous honors of the choir were the Creative Award of the City of Kościana, the Władysław Reymont Award, the statuette “Kościan Grazie”, the honorary badge “Merited for Polish Culture” and the “Gold Badge with Diamond” of the Polish Association of Choirs and Orchestras. Each of these awards is an expression of recognition for many years of artistic work and the presence of the ensemble in the cultural life of the city.

The jubilee concert will have a special character. The program included two parts of the choir's performance, a ceremonial award ceremony for the ensemble and the choristers, as well as wishes for the Jubilee. It will be an opportunity to meet the music that has accompanied the inhabitants of Kościan for 150 years, as well as to express gratitude to the people thanks to whom “Lutnia” continuously develops its activity.

The Kościański Cultural Centre, as co-organizer of the event, invites you to celebrate this special jubilee together.

On 10 October at 17:00 we will meet in the KOK auditorium to listen to “Lutnia” and celebrate both its rich history and two decades of work with the choir by Katarzyna Swinarska.

It is an evening dedicated to music, people and traditions that still remain alive.