On Tuesday, in the Royal Castle in Warsaw, the violin was officially given the name “Polonia”. The director of the Royal Castle Museum, Wojciech Fałkowski underlined that “this is a special occasion. There a few such occasions in the world.”
In May 2018, the first Stradivarius found its way to post-war Poland, all thanks to founders Roman Zieman and Stephan Morgenstern who were able to pass it on to virtuoso Janusz Wawrowski. The violinist is the only person in Poland who is allowed to play on the instrument.
Prior to the Second World War, Poland had several Stradivariuses in its possession, but they were all stolen, sold or given away
The instrument worth around PLN 20 milion was purchased on the occasion of Poland’s 100thIndependence Anniversary. Prior to the Second World War, Poland had several Stradivariuses in its possession, but they were all stolen, sold or given away.
Meticulous inspection and research have proven the authenticity of the instrument’s elements. The violin was created in 1685, the year of Jan Sebastian Bach’s birth.
The violin is on display in a special glass showcase which will allow viewers to inspect every detail of the instrument. The display will be on from the 7thto the 21stof December 2018.
