We are truly delighted by the overwhelming response and the number of applications we received. The Artistic Council of the Festival faced a challenging task, as the artistic standard was exceptionally high and the volume of submissions substantial. Regrettably, this meant that not all applicants could be accepted.

Some applications were not selected because, in the view of the Artistic Council, the candidates may benefit from further development before participating in either of the two competitions. While we understand this may be disappointing, we sincerely hope this time allows for continued growth in areas such as vocal technique, diction, stage presence, and repertoire selection. Our Festival performances call for a combination of these elements to truly shine.

In other cases, applications were declined simply because the number of available places in certain categories had already been filled. As previously announced, we are unable to accept any new applications at this stage.

All decisions made by the Artistic Council regarding the competitions have been communicated individually to applicants via the email addresses provided in their submissions.

We were especially pleased to receive entries from new regions, with more than 20 countries represented this year — a record in the four-year history of the "Vistula Sounds" International Festival. Of particular note is the growing interest in Polish music among international contestants, which we greatly appreciate.

Whether or not you were selected this time, we warmly invite you to join us in Ciechocinek and be part of Irena Santor "Vistula Sounds" International Festival — a vibrant celebration of song, music, and cultural exchange from across the globe.

We look forward to welcoming you to Ciechocinek from 12–16 August 2025!