KARŁOWICZ FEST | Between the Mountains and Music

What role does solitude play in an artist’s life? Can the creative process be compared to a mountain expedition-one marked by silence, concentration, risk, and the constant challenge of pushing beyond one’s own limits?

The starting point for this unique discussion is the figure of Mieczysław Karłowicz-an outstanding composer, mountaineer, and lover of the mountains, whose life and work continue to captivate audiences through their intensity and tragic ending.


The panel discussion will explore the relationship between art and the experience of solitude-both the solitude inherent in the creative process and that encountered during solitary journeys through the mountains. Participants will reflect on the mountains as a space of contemplation, freedom, and inner dialogue, and consider how encounters with nature can shape an artist’s sensitivity and influence the character of their work.

Karłowicz’s life, his music, and his passion for exploring the Tatra Mountains will serve as a point of departure for a broader reflection on the condition of the artist and the human need to transcend boundaries-both artistic and personal.

The discussion will be preceded by a screening of the documentary film Mieczysław Karłowicz – A Solitary Journey, directed by Tomasz Knittel.