2022 has been designated, by the Częstochowa Philharmonic, as the “Year of Bronisław Huberman”, marking Huberman’s 140th birthday and the 75th anniversary of the  death of the world-famous Jewish violinist, who came from Częstochowa and is the patron of the Philharmonic. Celebrations are held under the patronage of the Speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Poland, the Israeli Ambassador to Poland and the Mayor of Częstochowa.

To mark these anniversaries, the Philharmonic decided to establish the Bronisław Huberman European  Award, which would be presented to people of political, cultural and social merit in creating a community amongst the peoples of Europe, as well between Europe and the USA – something of which Huberman was an ardent supporter.

“The obvious candidate for receiving the first statuette seemed to be the long-time sponsor of the concerts by violin players during the Huberman International Violin Festival and an intermediary in building Polish-American contacts, Sigmund Rolat, who comes from our city”, explained Adam Klocek, Philharmonic Director.

As well as funding the exhibition “The Jews of Częstochowa”, Sigmund is also Chairman of the American Committee supporting the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw. Thanks to him, stars such as Joshua Bell, Midori, Vadim Repin and Shlomo Mintz have performed at the Częstochowa Philharmonic.

Presentation of the Bronisław Huberman European Award was performed in New York by the Mayor of Częstochowa, Krzysztof Matyjaszczyk, together with the Philharmonic Director, Adam Klocki, and the Deputy Chairman of the Częstochowa City Council, Łukasz Kot.

 Sigmund thanked the municipal authorities and the Philharmonic board and affirmed his further contribution towards building Częstochowa’s music culture. The meeting was also attended by other representatives of the World Society of Częstochowa Jews and their Descendants of which Sigmund is President.