History

The history of the competition originates in 19997 when the ambassador of Poland in Estonia. Mr Jakub Wolasiewicz, took the initiative to organize in Narva the first piano competition dedicated to the works of the great Polish composer Frederick Chopin for student of music schools.

In 1997 - 2018 years the permanent general sponsor was a businessman Miroslaw Pienkowski.

Already in 1999 the competition gained the international status. Then young musicians from the Baltic Sea countries -Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Finland, Russia -participated in the contest.

The number of children and youth who come to this musical event grows with every year. More than 300 participants from 20 countries of Europe and Asia have taken part in the competition for 10 years of its existence. The eminent musicians from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Finland, France and Germany have been members of international jury.

Since 2002 the Chopin Piano Competition has become a part of the European Union of Music Competitions for Youth (EMCY) and takes places once in two years. It is supported by Narva Municipality, Estonian Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland, the embassy of Poland in Estonia, the Embassy of France in Estonia, Polish Radio, the International Chopin Institute and many more organizations.

During the days of the competition, all the participants are offered an intense entertaining program of free-time activities, which includes excursions, concerts, playing bowling, swimming,partying at the night club, to have fun and see the sights. Also participants and their teachers have an opportunity to meet the members of the jury at the special conference. On the last day participants visit Tallinn -the capital city -where the laureates give a concert in the best concert hall of Estonia.