A fight with the natural elements is always uneven. The helplessness we experience as humans in the face of nature's might makes us aware of the fragality of everything we own. The images coming in from south and western Poland are horrific. The scale of destruction and suffering is hard to imagine. Water wipes away people's houses, possessions, and institutions that are the heart and soul of local communities: schools and culture institutions.

In a gesture of solidarity with those affected by the disaster, we have deciced to turn our willingness to help into actions. On 20 October the POlish National Opera will present a charity concert to raise funds for a school in Nowy Świętów near Głuchołazy, Poland. We believe that when working together we can and will rebuild the material fabric of the towns and villages as well as the hopefulness and sense of safety of their residents.

The programme's concert revelves around the music of composers with links to the geographical region of Silesia. You will hear thoroughly contemporary pieces filled with formal and existentional explorations, and ineffable emotionality. Some are inspired by traditional folk music, while others draw on spirituality rooted either in religion or nature.