Political activity of I.J. Paderewski

May long weekend is coming! It is marked by two important dates: 1 May (Labour Day) and 3 May (3 May Constitution Day). It is worth remembering that 2 May is also a special day – it is the Flag Day of the Republic of Poland, a holiday commemorating the history and significance of Polish symbols and patriotic traditions. This day is also devoted to the Polish diaspora and Poles abroad, in memory of their contribution to regaining independence.

A pianist adored by millions

Undoubtedly, one of such Poles was Ignacy Jan Paderewski, a world-famous pianist performing throughout Europe as well as in the United States, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. His concerts attracted crowds, as visible in a 1921 photograph depicting the New York audience in the Madison Square Garden Hall, which could accommodate 16,000 people! Paderewski was also famous as a composer – his orchestra (Polish Fantasy or Symphony in B minor), scenic (opera Manru) and chamber works (Sonata in A minor for violin and piano) entered the repertoire of the world’s most distinguished ensembles and artists.

Advocate of the Polish cause

However, in the context of today’s holiday, we’d like to remind you of Paderewski’s activity in another area, which is politics. The composer, having acquired a huge fortune, always financially supported social and national causes, and treated his piano performances as manifestations of Polishness – but he did not stop there. After the outbreak of World War I, he became vice-president of the General Committee to Aid War Victims in Poland. He contributed to the fact that the President of the United States, T.W. Wilson, included the issue of Polish independence in his peace message in 1918. After arriving in the country in 1919, Paderewski headed the newly established government and also became the main representative of Poland at the peace conference in Paris and a signatory to the Treaty of Versailles. During World War II, the composer first chaired the National Council in Paris, and from 1940, after leaving for the United States, he organised aid for Poles and gave public speeches on behalf of the country – the last time a week before his death on 29 June 1941.