20–23 October | Arena Hotel in Tychy | 11:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
The 20th Silesian Guitar Autumn is not only about concerts by world-class artists, an international competition and meetings with guitar masters. It is also a great opportunity to see instruments made in luthiers’ workshops up close, explore the offerings of music stores, browse publications and sheet music, and meet people for whom the guitar is both a profession and a passion.
From 20 to 23 October, the Arena Hotel in Tychy will host the festival’s exhibition area. Luthiers, music stores, manufacturers and guitar enthusiasts will come together in one place. Visitors will have the opportunity not only to see the instruments and accessories on display, but above all to talk to exhibitors and learn more about the contemporary world of the guitar.
One of the main attractions of the exhibition will undoubtedly be the classical guitars handcrafted by luthiers. It will be a unique opportunity to compare instruments made in different workshops and take a closer look at their construction, finish and the solutions employed by contemporary makers.
This year’s exhibitors include Petr Matoušek, P.E. Malinowski, Aleksander Benedykt, Carlos Diaz Miranda, Rafał Gajdzik, Bogusław Teryks, Janusz and Zbigniew Malina, and Arek Szpakowski. Their presence reflects the diversity of the contemporary classical guitar world – from traditional lutherie techniques to individual approaches to sound and construction.
A particularly interesting part of the programme will be the guitar testing session, scheduled for 22 October at 4:15 p.m. It will provide an opportunity to compare instruments from different luthiers’ workshops and hear how different constructions affect the character and sonic potential of the guitar.
The festival exhibition, however, is about much more than guitars themselves. Music stores will also present their offerings, with instruments, accessories and other products for both beginner guitarists and professional musicians.
Among the exhibitors are Interton Classic, Quena and Ada-Music, as well as companies and workshops specialising directly in classical guitars. Visitors will therefore have the opportunity not only to view the instruments, but also to discuss their selection, equipment and everyday use.
There will also be a focus on guitar strings and accessories. On 22 October at 3:30 p.m., the presentation “D’Addario – The History of String Production” will offer a different perspective on one of the fundamental elements of a guitarist’s toolkit.
The exhibition at the Arena Hotel will be more than a traditional display. It will be a meeting place for people united by their interest in the guitar – from music school students and academy students to teachers, professional performers, collectors, luthiers and guitar enthusiasts of all kinds.
The organisers have designed the exhibition area as a space for direct contact with visitors. During the festival, Tychy welcomes guitarists, educators, young musicians and music lovers from Poland and abroad, making the exhibition a natural complement to the concerts, competition and educational events.
Importantly, the same venue will also host events devoted to the history, present and future of the guitar. On 23 October at the Arena Hotel, the fourth academic and artistic session, “The Guitar: Yesterday – Today – Tomorrow”, will take place. The programme will include lectures on topics such as the music of Chopin and Tansman, the contemporary classical guitar and technical aspects of the instrument, as well as a discussion with luthiers. Admission to the session is free.
The 20th Silesian Guitar Autumn is a unique event also because it presents the guitar in many different forms. On stage, it appears as a concert, chamber, jazz or flamenco instrument. In the competition, it becomes a tool for young artists striving for international recognition. And at the Arena Hotel, it can be discovered as a precisely crafted instrument, an object of luthiers’ passion, a musical product and an everyday working tool.