A season for Chopin

Hundreds of people lounging on the lawn by the Frederic Chopin monument in the Royal Łazienki Park, listening as the Polish master's work is performed live by world-renowned artists - this is one of the fundamental Warsaw experiences. The charm of the Sunday All-Chopin Recitals, of which these concerts are part, has been captivating audiences for almost 50 years. The recitals are held every Sunday between May and August.

A number of other events related to Poland's best-known composer are held in Warsaw during the spring and summer seasons, and perhaps chief among them is the Chopiniana Festival. This series of concerts, plays, exhibitions and fashion shows brings together artists from various disciplines to delight crowds. This year the festival will take place between July 27 and 31.

Since Chopin's life in Poland was closely connected with Warsaw, it is the Chopiniana Festival's tradition that concerts are performed in places related to him, such as Holy Cross Church, where his heart is kept, or in the Belweder Palace, where Chopin used to give concerts for government officials. The festival is hugely popular and draws large numbers of visitors every year.

One final Chopin-related attraction is Żelazowa Wola, where the composer was born and spent his childhood. Day trips are arranged to the site, which is just outside of Warsaw, every Saturday and Sunday between May and September. A special bus departs from the Fryderyk Chopin Academy of Music, located at ul. Okólnik 2, at 10:30 on Saturdays and 1:30 on Sundays. The bus returns at 4:15 pm and the fare costs zł.26.

The Sunday All-Chopin Recitals take place every Sunday at 12 pm and 4 pm, admission free. For more information on Chopiniana and other events related with Frederic Chopin, log on to http://www.infochopin.pl/