G.P.

On the audience side: Viswa concentrates on Lutoslawski

Friends despite competition: Viswa, Yannick, Yuri, Marzena, Stas and Kasia

It is my last day in Katowice, and it has been so intensive here that I absolutely had no time to update the events here. First of all, I unfortunately did not make it to the finals on Friday, but I of course went follow them with great interest. Afterwards we heard the results and at least for me there was a couple of surprises in the order of the candidates. Anyway the order was as follows:

3rd honorary distinction and 2000 Euro Dainius POVILIONIS Lithuania
2nd honorary distinction and 3000 Euro Ghun KIM USA
1st honorary distinction and 4000 Euro Shizuo KUWAHARA USA

3rd Prize - the Bronze Baton and 5000 Euro founded by the Mayor of Katowice Sean NEWHOUSE USA
2nd Prize - the Silver Baton and 8000 Euro founded by the Marshall of the Silesian Voivodship Lin CHEN China
1st Prize - the Golden Baton and 10000 Euro founded by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage Eugene TZIGANE MCDONOUGH USA

Dynamic maestra Lin Chen in the finals

Maestro Gene McDonough fully focused

Yesterday we went to hear the winners rehearse for the concert and today we had a sightseeing day. The original plan was to go to Cracow, but because the weather was really depressing we went to see an old silver mine first and then visited the Auschwitz extermination camp. Tonight the competition week will end with the winners' concert. I will add more photos of all of that later! Actually, I forgot to take my camera to the final party, so I will post something only in the case I receive some photos from other participants! Until then enjoy these!

From Moria (the old silver mine)...

...to Mordor (Auschwitz extermination camp)