OPOLE 15.06.2025 LIVE

The final day of the 62nd Opole Festival began with a concert entitled “Trzy ćwiartki Jacka Cygana” (Three Quarters of Jacek Cygan), during which some of Poland’s biggest stars performed songs written by Cygan himself.

Entitled 'Three Quarters’, the concert was held in honour of Jacek Cygan’s birthday. Cygan has written lyrics for over a thousand songs, and the concert brought together some of the biggest names in Polish music.

Cygan, one of Poland’s most popular lyricists, celebrates his 75th birthday on 6 July, and his songs have been performed many times at the Opole amphitheatre. To celebrate this milestone, the organisers have prepared a special concert featuring Jacek Cygan alongside Andrzej Seweryn, Grażyna Łobaszewska, Stanisław Soyka, Ralph Kaminski, Mietek Szcześniak, Edyta Górniak, Ewelina Flinta, Anna Jurksztowicz, Majka Jeżowska, Andrzej Poniedzielski, Piotr Cugowski, Marcin Januszkiewicz, Magda and David Beucher, Mariusz Patyra, Beata Rybotycka, Jerzy Filar and the Opole Gospel Family choir, conducted by Katarzyna 'Puma’ Piasecka, as well as the world-renowned singer Garou.

Anna Jurksztowicz also appeared on stage, singing Diamentowy kolczyk (Diamond Earring) and Stan pogody (Weather Conditions). She was followed by Mietek Szcześniak, who sang Przyszli o zmroku (They Came at Dusk). Ryszard Rynkowski was supposed to be next, but due to an accident on his way to Opole, he was unable to perform. He was supposed to sing Jedzie pociąg… (The Train is Coming…), so Jacek Cygan invited the audience to sing along with him.

Majka Jeżowska also appeared at Jacek Cygan’s benefit concert, singing Wszystkie dzieci nasze są (All Children Are Ours), Laleczka z saskiej porcelany (Doll Made of Saxon Porcelain) and Dłonie (Hands). Marcin Januszkiewicz sang Andrzej Zaucha’s famous song C’est la vie – Paryż z pocztówki (Paris from a Postcard), while maestro Mariusz Patyra and the orchestra played Monti’s Czardasz. World-famous singer Garou also appeared on stage to sing a song from The Hunchback of Notre Dame with Marcin Januszkiewicz and Piotr Cugowski. He also sang a solo version of his biggest hit, Gitan.

The band Kombii was unable to attend and sent their best wishes, while Ewelina Flinta sang Pokolenie. She was followed by Jacek Cygan, who sang Życie jest nowelą together with the audience. He then thanked Jerzy Hoffman, announcing a song known to every Pole: Dumka na dwa serca, flawlessly performed by Edyta Górniak and Mietek Szcześniak for the second time since its premiere 26 years ago. The song Chwytaj dzień was presented to the Opole audience by Beata Rybotycka.

Andrzej Seweryn sang Jacek Kaczmarski’s song Mury, which Jacek Cygan was eager to present to the Opole audience. However, to say that he sang it would be a gross understatement; Seweryn gave a performance that will remain in everyone’s memory. Suffice it to say that the audience in the amphitheater rewarded him with a long standing ovation.

Edyta Górniak took over the stage after Seweryn to sing To nie ja byłam Ewą (It Wasn’t Me Who Was Eve) and say goodbye to Opole, KFPP, and the audience. “Thank you for this beautiful story. Goodbye, Opole,” we heard.

After Edyta, Piotr Cugowski reappeared and sang Wszystko ma swój czas (Everything Has Its Time), followed by Magda and David Beucher. Then Jacek Cygan invited Ralph Kamiński to the stage to perform Jaka róża taki cierń (Like Rose, Like Thorn). The concert ended with a joint performance of Za młodzi na sen (Too Young to Sleep).

Jacek Cygan received a lifetime achievement award in recognition of his enormous contribution to the development of Polish music, as well as the Journalists’ Award.

SHOW DIRECTOR: WOJCIECH IWAŃSKI

MULTICAMERA DIRECTOR: JACEK DYBOWSKI