Since 1986, every two years Tychy has become one of the most important destinations on the guitar map of Europe and the world. From the very beginning, the Silesian Guitar Autumn has been much more than a festival – it has become a meeting place for outstanding artists, young talents, educators, composers and guitar music enthusiasts.
Over four decades, the festival has brought together recitals by the greatest masters, an international performance competition, world premieres of new works, masterclasses, lectures, exhibitions and events bringing the guitar community together. It is here that artistic relationships have been forged, inspiration has been sparked and successive chapters in the history of the guitar in Poland have been written.
The exhibition “40 Years of the Silesian Guitar Autumn”, presented at the Tychy City Museum, tells the story of a festival that has become a permanent part of the city’s cultural identity. It is a journey through forty years of exceptional concerts, competition thrills and encounters with outstanding artists from around the world. Photographs, archival materials and memorabilia capture not only the history of the event, but above all the people who have shaped its unique character over the years.
The exhibition recalls the festival’s most significant moments and traces its development – from the first edition in 1986 to the present day. It is also a tribute to the organisers, artists, participants and audiences who have made the Silesian Guitar Autumn one of Europe’s most important guitar festivals and a lasting part of Tychy’s cultural heritage.
The exhibition will be on display at the Tychy City Museum from 16 October 2026 to mid-February 2027.
Curators: Wojciech Gurgul, Jakub Skucha
Exhibition design: Izabela Wądołowska
Educational programme: Julia Osińska
Production coordination: Monika Patalas